Have your say: Here’s what people are saying about the Collins St bike path

The contentious Hobart CBD bike path has drawn the ire from many, including the business community, while the council is doubling-down on it. HAVE YOUR SAY.

A majority of Mercury readers don’t want a bike path on Collins St.

• Collins St bike lanes project pushing forward

The push for bike lanes to go ahead on Collins St in Hobart’s CBD is forging ahead despite the state government pulling out from funding the project.

The council says it’s prepared to fill the $170k blackhole the decision left in its wake, with mayor Anna Reynolds slamming the government’s decision.

The persistences on the project hasn’t been a welcome one by the business community, who remain concerned over the removal of dozens of car spaces.

In a readers poll conducted by The Mercury with more than 600 votes, a resounding 83 per cent voted against Collins St bike path going ahead.

Here’s what people are saying

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds

“We don’t want our city to fall behind other capital cities in providing safer transport choices for residents.”

Tasmanian Wine Centre owner Lindsey Johnstone

“People like the convenience of parking just out of the central area and then going off for however long they like, whereas it can’t be done if there aren’t any parking spaces, cutting people off from our business.”

Lindsey Johnstone co-owner of Tasmanian Wine Centre and John Koulmandas owner of Mayfair Takeaway who are unhappy about the proposed installation of bike lanes in Collins Street Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt

“Minister Abetz directly places cyclists who use Collins Street to access the City by bicycle or scooter at increased risk of injury or death.”

Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallett

“‘It beggars belief that the Hobart City Council spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve access to their South Hobart commuter constituents and does nothing to support city workers and visiting shoppers by increasing parking and visiting opportunities.”

Hobart Alderman Louise Bloomfield

“It does somewhat concern me that our Lord Mayor has announced that Hobart City Council will fund this missing money as I do hope that the decision to do so will appear for voting by elected members in a later Council meeting.”

Hobart councillor Louise Elliot

“This is a wise decision by the Minister for Transport and Business … our CBD is for business! I don’t support attempts to turn the heart of our City into a recreational bike path.”

Greens Transport spokesperson Helen Burnet

“The local council is showing more foresight than the state government when it comes to implementing good urban design, and safer bike lanes.”

Helen

“Well the vote is in according to the on line vote in todays Mercury. 17% vote yes to bike lane 83% vote NO to the bike lane There is your answer plain and simple. For goodness sake HCC just wake up and listen to the public.”

Daisy no 1.

Travelling by bike is not practical for most people due to age, weather, topography of Hobart, family status etc. Putting in a bike lane is not going to change the fact that many city workers have to pick up kids after school get them to swimming lessons, sports etc and back home in time for an hour or two of homework. It won’t make the sick, elderly or disabled get on a bike or the younger cohort who carry large parcels after shopping.

Tom

Since when has this government listened to the public? Just deflection from its own incompetence and clawing back every cent they can get to fund their dumb idea in the stadium.

This is is the beginning of a long line of broken funding promises to come. Tasman Bridge upgrade, cutbacks, bike lane funding cutbacks, ambulance cutbacks, hospital cutbacks, southern outlet cutbacks.

Gee, looks like your classic blame everyone else, deflect the problem and in the meantime pour the money into their pet project that will result in massive debt for the state and the most expensive sporting team in Australia’s history. Bike lanes save lives, result in better health outcomes and for a small cost benefit a large proportion of the community. Surely this is an example of a state government so out of touch that they actively seek out dumb ideas to add to their growing list.

Scott

Bike lanes destroy businesses.

Bill

It is no wonder the council is broke.

Charlie

Why don’t people support bike lanes. They are great for health reasons and a chic street aesthetic. Most of your surgeons and professionals are on them trying to de-stress so that they can continue to turn up and be productive members of society and they negate the pull on our health system. Big picture people. big picture!

Rebekah

Where are these bikes supposed to be parked if people are riding in to the CBD for work, shopping, eating etc? No where that they won’t get stolen. Further, in addition to the business around Mayfair takeaway are at least four or five medical centres, how are disabled, elderly or vulnerable persons to find adequate parking to attend their appointments? Centre point only has so many spaces available for these purposes…. Incredible poor planning and foresight regarding this ‘trial’….

Wombat

How about spending the money on repainting the parking space numbers on the kerbs across the city so we can use the app?

Glenn

HCC attempting to win the greenest wokest council in Australia award. forget the economy and small business owners who pay the rates.

Mark

As someone who visits the city from a different municipality, I say sure you can build anything you like, but just bear in mind if you have a business in the middle of Hobart, people are trying to find ANYWHERE ELSE they can buy the same things so they don’t have to try to find parking, let alone parking that might be near you. Your council appears to be trying to sabotage your businesses, and you should ask why. Your city is now designed by and for the elites who are close enough and healthy enough to walk everywhere. I suggest you stop voting for these fools who don’t have any understanding of how the rest of society actually lives.

Originally published as Have your say: Here’s what people are saying about the Collins St bike path