Hobart City Council will meet on Monday 27 May to decide whether to go ahead with detailed designs for a two-year bike lane trial on Collins Street.
The bike lane trial stretches from Molle Street to Murray Street and includes separated cycleways on both sides of the street, a short section of shared road space between Harrington and Victoria streets and 30km/h speed limit.
The trial also changes Victoria Street traffic movements to one lane exiting onto Collins Street and no right-turns, installs outdoor dining in the block between Harrington and Victoria streets, and improves the transition for people riding and walking through the car park between the end of the Rivulet path and Molle Street.
To make room for the safer cycling infrastructure, 59 on-street parking bays would be removed, but 27 retained with priority for disability access and loading zones. Analysis of parking occupancy shows an average of 58% across the three blocks and the Centrepoint car park has 130 free spaces in its busiest periods.
The council is voting on whether the trial will go to further consultation and whether staff can move to a detailed design, it is not voting on whether the trial will proceed.
Also on the meeting agenda is a Bicycle Network petition with 1298 signatures calling on the council to honour the Greater Hobart Cycling Plan commitment to All Ages and Abilities cycleways on Collins Street and to include separated cycleways in the tactical trial.
The council meeting agenda is available now and details the block by block bike lane plans. You can attend in person at the Hobart Town Hall on Macquarie Street from 5pm, or watch online at www.youtube.com/c/CityofHobart
Bike lanes on Collins Street have long been on the council’s to-do list, but this is the first time a concept design has been released publicly.
The council has received federal and state funding to help bring the design to fruition. Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, secured $100,000 in 2019 and last year the Tasmanian Government’s Better Active Transport Grants program gave $30,000.
Ride for bike lanes
Collins Street riders are promoting a bike ride on Sunday 26 May from the C3 Church on the Hobart Rivulet to the Hobart Brewing Company to show support for a bike lane trial.
The ride leaves at 11.30am, heads down the Rivulet path then along Collins Street to the new separated lane on Campbell Street and down to the brewery.
The ride is a casual get together so people need to take responsibility for their own safety, especially when on the road.
