Trucks stopping in bike lanes putting commuting cyclists at risk

Inner-city cyclists fear for their safety as trucks in central Melbourne block bike lanes, with peak-hour congestion causing the greatest risk.

A dump truck blocking a bicycle lane on Rathdowne St, Carlton. Pic supplied.

Cyclists are fearing for their safety as heavily-loaded trucks in central Melbourne block bike lanes, with the greatest danger occurring at peak hours.

Riders say they are put at risk daily and that the problem has worsened because of the inner-city construction boom and Metro Tunnel works.

Up to six trucks have been spotted lining up on St Kilda Rd for the Metro construction.

Other hot spots are on Exhibition, Latrobe and Queensberry streets as truckies say they often have few places to stop their long loads.

A truck in a bicycle lane on Exhibition St, Melbourne. Pic: Michael Bell

Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said riders risked serious harm.

“It seems the trucks are stopping and lining up to wait their turn.’’

“It means they (riders) are forced to merge into general traffic,’’ Mr Richards said.

He acknowledged the tough job truckies had.

“We do understand that Melbourne will be ‘under construction’ for more years to come but we do need to be aware of how dangerous it is.’’

This morning’s crap drivers do in bike lanes in @cityofmelbourne is again brought to you by #paintisnotinfrastructure in Queensberry St with tip truck marshalling yet again blocking the narrow “bike lane” pic.twitter.com/VVrL9RO5lg

— Ric Morgan (@R_C_M) May 2, 2018

Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson said major projects such as the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel resulted in a massive spike in truck movements.

“Heavy vehicle drivers working in and around these and other projects need to observe the law and refrain from using lanes allocated to other forms of transport.

“(But) passenger vehicle drivers, bicyclists and motorcyclists need to recognise the rights of truck drivers to operate on our roads in the course of doing their jobs.’’

“Cyclists might also consider using an alternate route, which is a luxury a truck driver servicing a worksite doesn’t have.’’

Wow. St Kilda road bike lane blocked at Coventry st by at least three Hickory construction trucks. Be carful crew @bikemelbourne @bicycle_network @MelbrneCommuter pic.twitter.com/MHXJDvHPif

— MDP (@mdp01) June 17, 2019

Melbourne University researcher Jerome Rachele rides every day to work along Queensberry St and regularly documents blocked bike lanes.

“Trucks illegally blocking bike lanes has always been an issue, but it has worsened since Grattan St was closed for works on the Metro Tunnel,’’ Dr Rachele said.

“The City of Melbourne tell us to report illegally parked vehicles via an online form, but by the time parking officers attend the site, the vehicles are almost always gone.’’

And another professional driver #Melbourne - glad I heard him coming - would have been a tight squeeze pic.twitter.com/QCrryGpTvm

— Hardcore Commuter (@HardcoreCommute) May 24, 2019

Truck parked in Queensberry St, North Melbourne. Pic: Dr Jerome Rachele

Another truck blocking the same area. Pic: Dr Jerome Rachele

Dr Rachele photographed several trucks stopped in the Queensberry St in just two months.

“Illegally parked vehicles in bike lanes force people on bikes to merge in and out of traffic, often with faster moving vehicles and during peak hour.’’

Good morning @cityofmelbourne social media team. Please see my regular "truck illegally parked in bike lane" pic below. I'll be back with another pic tomorrow, then the next day, and then the day after that, continuing until a Copenhagen-style lane is built to prevent this 👍. pic.twitter.com/VLqyyCn1D6

— Jerome N Rachele (@JN_Rachele) June 25, 2019

An abandoned truck blocking a bike lane on Exhibition St.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said that in the last year officers issued 89 “no stopping’’ infringement notices on Exhibition St, 37 Swanston St and 21 on Latrobe St.

“Our officers patrol during morning peak cycling times on Exhibition, Queensberry and Latrobe Streets to ensure these areas are kept clear of vehicles. This includes both quickly moving on vehicles and issuing infringements.’’

Dr Rachele said the main cause was poor bike lane design and backed more “Copenhagen lanes” in which car parking and bike lanes are flipped, so that bikes travel next to the kerb.

@IanRoyall

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