City of Melbourne released a draft of its new transport strategy yesterday afternoon and it includes a number of bike friendly plans.
The number one item is a huge increase in the number of protected bike lanes in the city.
There is currently about six kilometres of protected bike lanes in the Melbourne CBD area, but by 2020 this could grow to be more than 50 kilometres.
An action in the transport strategy is to "deliver 50km of high quality, physically protected bicycle lanes over 10 years to get more people riding each day".
It also says that council hopes to work with the Victorian Government to build an additional 40 kilometres of protected bike lanes on state managed roads.
A map of proposed bike lanes indicates protected bike lanes may be installed on Wellington Street, Flinders Street, Bourke Street (including allowing people to ride through the mall), Exhibition Street, Elizabeth Street, Royal Parade and St Kilda Road.
Other notable actions and proposals relating to bikes in the plan include:
- Working with the Victorian Government to lower speed limits in the central city to 30km/h or less
- Developing 'little' streets (Little Collins, Little Bourke etc) into "people-priority shared zones with lower speed limits"
- Trial a protected intersection for bike riders in the city and install more if it is a success
- Using technology to improve traffic light cycles and signals in the city to prioritise and reduce delays to people on efficient and active travel modes
- Review whether or not people riding bikes should be able turn left into a bike lane against a red light
Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said the transport plan looks positive, but that it must be taken seriously.
"It is great to see that the draft transport strategy has prioritised public transport and active travel, we now look forward to seeing the budget with funding allocated," said Mr Richards.
Bicycle Network will have a closer look at the transport strategy and have a more in-depth assessment in next week's member and friends email newsletter In the Loop.
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Click here to download a copy of the draft transport plan.
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