Truck drivers warn cycling route on busy freight roads will put riders’ lives at risk

A NEW road war is brewing between cyclists and trucks with the Victorian Government flagging plans to build a cycling route on one of Melbourne’s busiest freight roads.

The Victorian Transport Association said riders’ lives would be at risk under the proposal. Picture: Mark Stewart

A NEW road war is brewing between cyclists and trucks with the Victorian Government planning to build a riding route on one of Melbourne’s busiest freight roads.

Truck drivers are slamming the proposal unveiled as part of the Fisherman’s Bend draft plan, warning it is an “an irresponsible recipe for disaster”.

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The proposed route will see bikes funnelled on to Lorimer St in Port Melbourne running between the Bolte and West Gate Bridge.

Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson said riders’ lives would be at risk with hundreds of trucks using the route daily.

Truck drivers have slammed the plan to build the cycling route. Picture: Steve Tanner

“Lorimer St is a gazetted freight route for heavy vehicles and is intensively used by trucks of up to 70 tonnes in weight travelling between Webb Dock and road and rail freight infrastructure closer to town,” he said.

“Regardless of who is at fault, the cyclist will always be worse off in a collision with a truck, so why on earth would you encourage their close interaction on a shared roadway?”

“While we fully support infrastructure that encourages commuters onto bikes and away from cars, the last place we should be putting it is on the only gazetted freight route.”

The Victorian Government Put the plan out for consultation last month.

The proposed development close to the CBD will house 80,000 new residents by 2050.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the draft was helping inform the final design.

“The Fishermans Bend Framework is about getting the planning right to build a neighbourhood that the community deserves,” he said.

Consultation will be carried out for another month.

Alternative transport measures are key to the development which also includes four primary schools and open space spanning the equivalent of two thirds the size of Docklands

The biggest urban renewal project in Australia will also have four AFL-sized ovals, six soccer pitches and eight outdoor courts.

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