Bicycle Network question decision to hit speeding cyclists with hefty fines in Southbank
A crackdown on cyclists who speed through Southbank Promenade has been questioned by an advocacy group, who say the fines are “extraordinary”.
Victoria
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A blitz on cyclists who speed through Southbank Promenade has been questioned by the Bicycle Network, with the advocacy group concerned about the prospect of hefty $1652 fines.
Victoria Police on Wednesday kicked off a crackdown on riders travelling well above the area’s 10km/h speed limit in shared pedestrian space by the Yarra River.
No fines have been issued but over the past two days police warned more than 120 cyclists and e-scooters riders.
From next week, people who blatantly speed through the area on their bikes could be charged on summons, through a letter in the mail, and asked to appear at court.
The maximum penalty they could receive if found guilty is $1652.
Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said such a hefty charge for the offence was “extraordinary”.
“It’s more than three times the amount of some drink-driving fines,” he said.
“Our advice to people riding on Southbank Promenade is to ride at about the pace someone can run and be able to stop immediately if you need to.”
Mr Richards said incidents between riders and pedestrians at Southbank were rare.
“The timing of this blitz is hard to understand as it’s still very quiet on Southbank Promenade,” he said.
“It would be great if the police took the opportunity to educate anyone riding too quickly rather than handing out excessive fines.
“Particularly when most people on bikes don’t have a speedo to know how fast they’re travelling.”
Debate has raged for years between walkers and cyclists over safe speeds in the area and the City of Melbourne has sought to tackle the issue through innovative ways.
In 2019, the council installed new signs and markers, and for five weeks recorded rider speeds as they travelled through the area.
The study found nine in 10 riders approaching from Princes Bridge were moving faster than 15km/h.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp later announced a $5.1m plan to make the space more pedestrian-friendly and encourage cyclists to slow down.
This included trees, seats and garden beds to turn the promenade into a riverside park and encourage more people to use the 300m of space along the river.
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