A key Darwin street is set for a significant makeover that will greatly improve the travel experience for people who ride bikes.
Smith Street is the main street in Darwin’s CBD, and is at the heart of the council’s plans to modernise the city as a vibrant, green and welcoming place for all modes of transport.
The City of Darwin has shared two design concepts for the $3 million Smith Street Streetscape project, which is being funded by the NT Government. While both promise to improve conditions for active transport, there are key differences.
Concept 1 includes a buffered bike lane between parked cars and moving vehicles, while Concept 2 includes a kerbside bike lane, protected from moving vehicles by a buffer and parked cars.
Bike lanes that are protected from motor traffic have been shown to drive big increases in rider numbers in cities such as Melbourne and New York, and reduce crashes for not just bikes alone, but cars and pedestrians, too.
In addition to improved safety for riders and a more active population, City of Darwin notes that Concept 2 would also feature an extra seven trees for additional cooling and shading. Pedestrian crossings would be shorter and safer at 7.2m long rather than 8.4m, while the vehicle lane would appear narrower and encourage slower vehicle speeds.
Separately, the City of Darwin last year lowered speed limits across much of the CBD to 40km/h.
Concept 1 would retain 41 of the existing 56 car parking spaces on Smith Street, while Concept 2 would retain 35 and use the extra space to plant additional trees.
The community is encouraged to offer feedback on the designs on the council webpage before June 28, or at one of the upcoming pop-ups:
- Sunday 23 June 2024, 8am – 11am, Nightcliff Market
- Wednesday 26 June 2024, 12pm – 2pm, Smith Street Mall
The City of Darwin expects construction on the project to kick off in March 2025 and completion by June 2025.
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