Lord mayoral candidates share views on bike lanes, but remain tight-lipped on policies

Three of the major contenders in the lord mayoral race are yet to reveal their policy on bike lanes as the battle heats up to secure the city’s top job.

Three of the major contenders in the lord mayoral race are yet to reveal their policy on bike lanes – one of the most contentious issues in the battle to secure the city’s top job.

A traffic count conducted by the Herald Sun on Friday found 227 bikes and 12 e-scooters used the southbound bike lane on Exhibition St between 8am and 9am, while 522 vehicles travelled in the same direction.

A similar count on Thursday found more than 280 bikes and scooters used the dedicated bike lane to commute through the city that same hour.

The Herald Sun on Friday asked the eight declared candidates for lord mayor to outline their policy on bike lanes, with fewer than 60 days to go until the October poll.

Candidates have mixed views on the future of Melbourne’s bike lanes. Picture: David Caird

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said he will have “more to say on transport” in the lead up to the election, but added that his focus was on “bottlenecks and black spots”.

“There are key areas around Melbourne that can be improved to help cars, vans and tradies get around our CBD, while investing in black spots can help reduce the number of tragedies experienced by cyclists on our roads,” he said.

Fellow contender Arron Wood said the rapid rollout of bike lanes under the current leadership at Town Hall “missed the mark”, leading to “design flaws and division” between cyclists, business owners and residents.

“This issue requires proper consultation and leadership to achieve a balanced approach to transport for all road users,” he said.

Carlton champion Anthony Koutoufides, who most recently entered the mayoral race, said his team was consulting with different stakeholders regarding the best mix of bike lanes, e-scooters and carparking.

“These discussions will help inform our policy which we will announce soon,” he said.

Anthony Koutoufides says he is consulting with different stakeholders. Picture: David Crosling

The Herald Sun understands that while some candidates are yet to finalise their policy, others have but are waiting to make an announcement at a later date.

But Greens candidate Roxane Ingleton was ready to reveal her policy, saying she backed Town Hall’s current bike lane plan.

“I want to see more separated, safe and connected-up bike lanes like (Exhibition St) built in the next term of council,” she said, noting that these bike lanes have seen a 22 per cent increase in usage since 2020.

She supported the City of Melbourne’s four-year plan, which was endorsed by councillors in April, which she said “prioritises routes into the city and uses more durable kerb materials”.

“I support this program and I call on all prospective council candidates to commit to it.”

Across the municipality, VicRoads bike counters have shown a 38 per cent increase in usage in April 2024 compared to April 2022.

Greens candidate Roxane Ingleton (left) and her running mate Marley McRae McLeod want to see more separated and safe bike lanes.

The Liberal ticket downplayed reports this week that its policy was to rip up the city’s bike lanes, with council candidate Owen Guest clarifying that a “balanced approach” was needed.

“We have to keep the possibility open that some bike lanes need to be removed,” he said.

“But that’s not a catch cry to remove all bike lanes.

“We will do what Liberals do and that is a cost-benefit analysis … of the appropriateness of bike lanes and where appropriate we’ll be willing to remove some.”

Labor candidate Phil Reed said while most of the bike lanes were “working well”, some were creating “pinch-points and traffic hazards”.

“Worse still there are some that make cyclists and pedestrians feel less safe than they did before the cycle lanes went in, so while cycling lanes are here to stay, we need to be adult enough to have a conversation about how to deliver better outcomes,” he said.

A cyclist uses an unprotected bike lane on William St last year. Picture: Ian Currie

Serial lord mayoral candidate Gary Morgan said the council needed to focus on making its current bike lanes safe, including those on Collins St, which he dubbed a “death trap”.

“Melbourne needs safe bike lanes — or not at all,” he said.

“If they’re not safe, don’t put them in.”

Independent candidate Jamal Hakim said “protected active transport lanes” were an integral part of Melbourne’s transport network.

“As Melbourne continues to grow, active transport lanes will become even more essential in providing residents with greater access to the city’s offerings,” he said.

“Ongoing improvements in design and technology are also essential to ensure that these lanes meet the needs of cyclists.”

Additional reporting from Chloe Bott and Sarah Varcoe