Pedestrians push for priority over cyclists on Southbank Promenade
There are calls for cyclists to be banned from Southbank Promenade as a survey reveals pedestrians fear for their safety.
Victoria
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Pedestrians say they should be given priority over cyclists in the proposed revamp of the Southbank Promenade, new research commissioned by the Melbourne city council has found.
Many people even said cyclists should be banned altogether, while cyclists felt their needs had not been considered in proposals to improve the flashpoint zone.
The council has put in measures to slow riders along the popular Yarra riverfront over many years and is also encouraging cyclists to use the new Southbank Boulevard cycle lanes.
And in February, police officers cracked down on cyclists, electric bike and scooter riders who were exceeding the 10kmh limit.
The latest study, prepared by Global Research, found most people were in favour of the improvements but felt the pedestrian-cyclist friction would remain.
“Although the proposed design would improve safety to some degree, conflicts
between cyclists and pedestrians will not be adequately resolved,’’ the report said.
Trees were also important to the final design with “European style deciduous trees seen to be more in keeping with the Victorian style than native trees’’.
Respondents also wanted to preserve the lighting and balustrades which gave the area its character although a council report said they might appear outdated by any subsequent changes to the precinct.
The council work to revitalise a 300m stretch of the promenade is dependent on the proposed redevelopment of the Southgate retail and dining complex, which is still in the planning stages and could start next year.
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