The Hobart City Council has approved a two-year improvement trial for Collins Street, which includes separated bike lanes.
The trial involves a 30km/h speed limit, separated bike lanes, new mid-block pedestrian crossings, more on-street disability parking bays, and an on-street dining area. There are some other nice touches such as a painted a blue strip across the road surface to mark where the Hobart Rivulet flows underneath and installing planter boxes as an entry to the street.
It was first announced in May and since then City of Hobart staff have been talking with businesses, landowners and other stakeholders along the three affected blocks between Molle and Murray streets.
In response to concerns raised during this consultation, the trial design has been changed to keep Victoria Street one-way and retain its on-street parking bays. There will also be longer opening hours for the Centrepoint car park during the Christmas shopping period.
The council met on Monday 16 September and voted 7 to 5 to approve the trial, with councillors Reynolds, Posselt, Kitsos, Harvey, Sherlock, Dutta and Lohberger voting in favour and Zucco, Elliott, Bloomfield, Coats and Kelly voting against.
A bike lane and other approaches to improving road safety have been proposed over the past few years, but the council settled on trialling different elements before committing to a full rebuild of the strip.
Using temporary infrastructure will mean it can easily be installed and pieces moved when needed. If the council decides on a rebuild of the street, the temporary infrastructure can be trialled elsewhere.
The council expects to begin work installing the trial elements from January 2025.
There will be evaluation of the trial at the one, three and 12-month mark, considering the following metrics:
- Number of bike and micromobility riders, targeting an increase in riders.
- Diversity of users, targeting an increase in the proportion of women and children and types of bicycles.
- Increased access for people walking, targeting increases in people crossing mid-block indicating perceived safety.
- Road safety, targeting reduced vehicle speeds.
- User confidence, targeting increased perceptions of safety for people walking and riding.
- Feedback from local stakeholders, including users of the street, nearby properties and businesses. Targeting net positive sentiment towards the project.
- Feedback from broader stakeholders, targeting net positive sentiment towards the project.