A series of pop-up bike lanes have been proposed for Brunswick and Pascoe Vale to help people move freely and safely in the times of COVID-19.
Moreland councillors will on Wednesday vote on proposals for pop-up, separated lanes on Dawson Street, Albion Street and Northumberland and Kent Roads.
If successful, the project would benefit riders of all ages including commuters, shoppers and families on weekend trips.
The Dawson Street bike lane would connect to both the West Brunswick shimmy route and Upfield path, giving high school students at Brunswick Secondary College on Dawson Street an easy ride to school.
Improvements to Northumberland and Kent Roads would complete sections of the Coburg to Glenroy bicycle link.
Albion Street bike lanes would improve the link between the Upfield path and current detour routes in place for level crossing removal works.
The Upfield path is currently closed between Tinning and O'Hea Streets. While the detour mostly uses quieter streets and shimmy routes, a section of the detour uses Albion Street.
Similar to those that have appeared in Paris, Berlin and Sydney, the pop-up bike lanes would be made from plastic and rubber kerbing. Not only does this make them more affordable and faster to install, they can also be modified and optimised after installation.
Another idea in Moreland council's plan to help people move around during COVID-19 is shared zones on Albert Street and Victoria Street in Brunswick East to improve bike access to Fleming Park and reduce rat-running through the shimmy route.
If the full proposal gets up the rollout of 40km/h speed limits on local roads would also continue, parking be banned on Boundary Road in Hadfield and Pascoe Vale and footpaths have obstacles and obstructions removed.
Cr Lambros Tapinos is the current Mayor of Moreland and the full list of councillors can be found here. Some of them may appreciate hearing your thoughts on how pop-up bike lanes can help keep Moreland healthy.