The 10 Melbourne routes on cycling super lane hit list
Ten popular Melbourne cycling routes are on a hit list of roads to be transformed into London-style bike superhighways to get commuters out of cars and riding more. See the 10 routes here.
VIC News
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London-style cycle superhighways have been proposed for Melbourne roads to get more commuters pedalling instead of driving.
Ten popular cycling routes including St Kilda Rd, Chapel St, Royal Parade-Sydney Rd, and the Preston to City route via Napier St and St Georges Rd have been identified on a hit list for a revamp including splitting cyclists from motorists, better bike paths and priority at traffic lights.
Peak transport lobby group RACV has identified the key roads needing improvement works in a bid to get cyclists feeling safe and encouraging them to ride more to ease the crush on public transport and traffic gridlock on roads.
BEST VICTORIAN BIKE RIDES AND TRAILS
BIKE GROUPS RENEW CYCLISTS ON FOOTPATHS PUSH
Under the successful London model, bike routes connected with town centres, train stations and shopping strips; traffic was removed off some roads; segregated bike paths installed and pedestrian crossings upgraded.
Bus stop bypasses for cyclists were also introduced.
A report prepared for the RACV pinpoints Chapel St as the number one route to be made into a cycle superhighway with data showing an average of 7.5 crashes a year per kilometre on the famed road.
Other routes highlighted for revamp included the Essendon to CBD route via Flemington Rd and Mt Alexander Rd, Gardiners Creek, and Cecil St from Albert Park to St Kilda.
Among options that may be considered to improve cycling along Chapel St is to move riders to other parallel roads or ripping car parks from the shopping and dining strip.
Separated bike paths could be on the cards for Flemington Rd and Sydney Rd, where there is also a push from some for it to get wider footpaths and car parks removed.
At Napier St, cyclists could expect more time to cross with alterations to traffic signals.
The cycling road map report said the bike corridors would feed into major activity centres, including the CBD and surrounding areas.
“Cycling will offer a comparative advantage compared to other modes for transport trips,” the report said.
“That is, driving and public transport will be comparatively unattractive given congestion or crowding and a lack of parking.”
RACV senior planner Stuart Outhred said the state government and local councils needed to allocate more funding to improve cycling infrastructure.
“We know from previous research that 28 per cent of Victorians who don’t currently ride are open to cycling more but many people are discouraged because they are intimidated by cars and trucks, lack confidence or don’t think riding is convenient,” he said.
CYCLING SUPERHIGHWAY CONTENDERS
1. Chapel Street
2. St Kilda Road
3. Napier Street — St Georges Road
4. Canning Street
5. Flemington Road — Mt Alexander Road
6. Loop (Park Street)
7. Royal Parade — Sydney Road
8. Gardiners Creek — Yarra Bend
9. New Street
10. Cecil Street — Albert Park
Source: RACV