Melbourne City Council to measure Southbank cyclists’ speeds under new safety plan

Cyclists flying along Southbank’s promenade will have their speed tracked as part of a new push to improve safety after walkers in the area have long complained that they play the lottery with their safety during peak times.

Speeding cyclists pedalling along Southbank’s promenade are the target of a new push to improve safety.

Riders will have their speed tracked, while new measures, including permanent markers and speed signs, will be installed this month in a bid to reduce the risk of pedestrians being hit.

Walkers in the area have long argued they play the lottery with their safety during peak times and Southbank is one of the most common spots for complaints to council about collisions and near misses between the two groups. .

RUMBLE STRIPS TO HALT SPEEDING CYCLISTS

SOUTHBANK SET FOR MAJOR SAFETY UPGRADE

10 ROUTES ON CYCLING SUPER LANE HIT LIST

From Monday, temporary dynamic speed signs will be used to tell cyclists how fast they are travelling and at the end of the month permanent signs will be added to the pavement.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said the ­location was one of the council’s top three visitor destinations and the trial was a key part of the council’s new transport blueprint.

The strategy is based on extensive community feedback that highlighted “overcrowding on footpaths” around the municipality as a major issue as well as “feeling unsafe while commuting by bike”, the spokeswoman said.

Southbank is one of the most common spots for complaints to Melbourne City council about collisions and near misses between walkers and cyclists. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Pedestrians and cyclists are regularly on a collision course along Southbank Promenade. Picture: Robert Leeson

Melbourne City council staff have previously installed eight sets of rough services, or rumble strips, to force riders to slow down as they pass through the area.

“Separated bike lanes were the top suggestion to combat this,” she said.

“For approximately five weeks, cycle-specific traffic logger tubes will be laid in two locations (in Southbank).

“The purpose of the study is to monitor cyclists’ speed in the area and the data gathered from the study will assist to inform the long-term safety strategy for the area.”

The study will examine how effective the dynamic signs are in reducing the number of people speeding along the 10kmh shared zone.

Council staff have previously installed eight sets of rough services, or rumble strips, to force riders to slow down as they pass through the area.

Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said the area was an important part of Melbourne’s bike networks.

“It’s great to see the council plan improvements for Southbank Promenade and people who ride there,” Mr Richards said.

“We rarely hear of problems on the promenade, but it is a busy place, so when riding there we need to make sure we’re going at a sensible speed and can stop if we need to.”

There are currently no plans to speed test other sites frequented by cyclists and pedestrians.

[e-mail]