Hobart City Council approves new bike lanes in Hobart

New bike lanes in Hobart have been given the green light by the Hobart City Council, something one councillor says could come with a world of benefits for the city. Where they’re going >>

HCC approved new bike lanes in Hobart, Councillor Ryan Posselt at Campbell Street. Picture: Chris Kidd

Hobart will soon become a more bike friendly city, with new cycling lanes to be installed on several streets, and it could mean a drop in traffic congestion.

The Hobart City Council voted in favour of the new lanes this week, which will be in place for a 12-month trial.

“The bike lanes will be going between Davey St at the waterfront up to Brisbane St, that’s on Campbell St and Argyle St,” Hobart City mobility portfolio chair Ryan Posselt said.

“There will be a section at the block at the hospital that won’t be covered by the bike lanes … there’s a slip lane that’s already there on Campbell St.

Bike lanes will be trialled across four Hobart City streets. Pic: City of Hobart

Mr Posselt, who is a cycling enthusiast, said the lanes would encourage more people to get on their bike.

“They’re atrocious, the bike lanes we have don’t meet the standards, there’s not enough of them, they don’t connect to anything,” he said.

“One of the things we need to do to encourage people onto bikes is provide a safe environment; providing a separated cycleway where you have no interaction with traffic means people who aren’t confident mixing with cars are more likely to have a go.”

But creating the bike lanes will mean changes for a handful of on-street car parks.

“There’s a very small number of actual loss, under 10 I believe … what we’re instigating is a clearway, which is perfectly normal modern practice in other cities but poorly utilised in Hobart,” Mr Posselt said.

“Parking will be shifted over a lane in off peak times and that will be retained. During the peak of 4pm to 6pm we’ll make that a clearway.”

Mr Posselt said there were many benefits to riding, including for physical and mental health, as well as the city’s traffic congestion.

“If we can get about four per cent of current vehicle users [to ride their bike], it will significantly reduce congestion,” he said.

“One thing people who don’t ride don’t realise is a cyclist has a guaranteed travel time, they know how long it will take them, they know they won’t have to shop around for a park.”

Mr Posselt said depending on feedback from the trial, the council would then decide whether to keep the lanes, change them or remove them.

The lanes are expected to be ready in the second half of the year.