The popularity of cycling has exploded in Melbourne during the coronavirus lockdown, with bike traffic in the city tripling. What does this mean for riders and drivers when life returns to normal? heraldsun.com.au takes a look at how a city is adapting to life on two wheels and what it means for our roads in the years to come.
Cyclists want to claim a bigger slice of the road.
Bike traffic has tripled on trails across the city as most Victorians continue to avoid public transport and long trips in their cars.
The state’s peak cycling group, Bicycle Network, says the increase will be permanent but the government must improve safety.
It is pushing for action on key streets where it says dedicated lanes are needed, and projects to connect Melbourne’s network of bike trails.
The RACV has been making the case for 17 cycling superhighways so people can more easily ride into the city each day.
Bicycle Network chief Craig Richards said travel behaviour was changing.
“We’ve seen a lot of people that are new to riding enjoying the roads with very few vehicles,” he said.
“Then there are the people who ride regularly who are getting to the stage where they feel trails are overcrowded.
“We’ve got this short-term opportunity to build something to address this change before life starts returning to whatever the new normal becomes.”
The group is calling for bike lanes that would have barriers between bikes and cars, on St Kilda Rd, La Trobe St, Exhibition St, Sydney Rd and other roads.
Infrastructure Australia also has a plan to revamp busy peak-hour routes into cycle-friendly superhighways as a priority project.
Among these would be a massive City Loop stretching from the inner-west to Kew, then down to Elwood.
Mr Richards said authorities should temporarily hand over some roads to cyclists immediately to meet demand.
“They are doing it overseas with new pop-up bike lanes,” he said. “Not only is it a great opportunity to rethink our roads but if we do accelerate the process of building more permanent infrastructure there is an economic stimulus benefit.
“We also need to run trials so we’re ready for when people return to their workplaces but crowding on to public transport is not recommended. When that happens, bikes will be a key solution.”
The City of Melbourne last week announced it would bring forward plans to replace carparks with more footpaths and bike lanes across the CBD.
RACV senior mobility planner Stuart Outhred said the surge in riders had proven the need for safer cycling infrastructure.
“With fewer vehicles on the roads, and most Victorians working and studying from home, now is an ideal time to fast-track this project,” he said.
Eltham resident Scott Louder said he and his family regularly used bike paths and encouraged others to do the same instead of riding on the roads.
BUILDING A PATH OUT OF RESTRICTIONS
By Craig Richards, Bicycle Network chief executive
One of the unexpected positive habits that’s come out of the terrible COVID-19 pandemic is that Australians have taken up bike riding in record numbers.
With April bike sales surging past Christmas numbers, the latest quip has become “bikes are the new toilet paper”.
The often-quoted phrase is that it takes 21 days to form a new habit.
With a month of stage three lockdown under our belts, the question is, will the new bike-riding habit continue when we’re released?
For many people, their decision to take up bike riding has been a process of elimination. I can’t go to the gym, I can’t play sport, I need to move, what can I do? Ride a bike. I can’t go to the footy, I can’t go to the shops, I need to get out of the house, what can I do? Ride a bike.
It’s amazing to see so many families and couples out in the sunshine smiling as the fresh air rushes past.
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