Infrastructure Australia backs Melbourne cycling superhighway plan
A radical plan to build hundreds of kilometres of cycling superhighways to separate bikes from cars on Melbourne’s congested roads should be built within years, a peak infrastructure body says. This is where they would go.
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A radical plan to build hundreds of kilometres of cycling superhighways on Melbourne roads should be built within five years, according to the nation’s peak infrastructure body.
The proposal, first floated by the RACV last year, has been added to Infrastructure Australia’s list of vital initiatives.
It was one of two just two new Victorian programs on the list, along with a plan to reform the public transport system around Frankston.
The authority also called for a better national approach to recycling and water and continued to back a proposed East West Link.
The cycling initiative would separate bicycles from cars on congested roads such as Chapel St and St Kilda Rd and cater for thousands of extra riders.
RACV senior planner of mobility futures Stuart Outhred said Infrastructure Australia’s backing showed the plan was urgently needed.
“These priority corridors deserve more than just paint — we want to see high-quality, separate infrastructure that makes everyone feel safe and comfortable when riding,” he said.
“Investing in these corridors will deliver immense benefits for commuters.”
Each bicycle superhighway would run into the CBD and most would connect to an additional inner-city loop.
Infrastructure Australia CEO Romilly Madew said Melbourne needed to be more like European cities such as London with a vast network of connected, dedicated cycle paths.
“We identified a provision of dedicated cycling infrastructure can help with congestion, and presents health opportunities as well,” she said.
“You want to make sure you have the right infrastructure that people will use.
“If they don’t feel it’s safe, people won’t cycle.”
A connection between the Eastern Freeway and CityLink, otherwise known as the East West Link, remains a high-priority initiative despite the Andrews Government refusing to build the road. It was first added to the IA list in 2016.
Other additions included a national waste and recycling management response over the next five years.
Better water infrastructure was also needed to drought proof the country.
Ms Madew said Australia could do more to make it easier for companies to use waste products, including the use of crushed glass and printer cartridges to make roads.
The authority noted buses around Frankston were poorly planned and barely matched with trains despite the area having a population of over 140,000. It called for more buses, better routes, and upgrades to electrify the train line further south.
Senior economist Rob Busch said the area was grappling with its popularity as a transport hub.
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