Most bike riding enthusiasts have probably been keeping an eye on the promises of City of Melbourne mayoral candidates, but we thought a snapshot of what they all say they stand for might be helpful.
Voting closes tomorrow, Friday 25 October, at 6pm.
Nick Reece (Team Nick Reece)
Deputy: Roshana Campbell
Transport policy: Reece supports keeping all existing bike lanes, including those on Exhibition Street. He plans to address bottlenecks and redesign specific areas such as the Queensbridge Street S-bend and William Street. He has allocated $5 million for these improvements but does not plan any changes to bike lanes on Flinders Street. A review of the 2030 Transport Plan is also on his agenda.
Nick Reece Transport Policy
Arron Wood (Team Wood)
Deputy: Erin Deering
Transport policy: Wood proposes the establishment of an independent transport panel to oversee bike lane rollouts, including business representatives, cyclists, and transport experts. He plans to restore four vehicle lanes on Exhibition Street by moving bike lanes to the center of the street and restoring parking.
Arron Wood Transport Policy
Jamal Hakim (Team Hakim - Resident Independents)
Deputy: Esther Anatolitis
Transport policy: Hakim's policy focuses on completing and protecting Melbourne's cycling network. He aims to make active mobility safer with improved lighting, signage, and public education on road safety. The policy includes a commitment to expanding and protecting bike lanes with barriers.
Jamal Hakim Transport Policy
Roxane Ingleton (The Greens)
Deputy: Marley McRae McLeod
Transport policy: Ingleton strongly supports the continuation and expansion of separated, safe, and connected bike lanes like those on Exhibition Street. She cites a 22% increase in bike lane usage since 2020 and backs the City of Melbourne’s four-year plan, which prioritizes routes into the city with durable kerb materials.
Roxane Ingleton Transport Policy
Greg Bisinella(Voices for Melbourne)
Deputy: Megan Stevenson
Transport policy: Bisinella’s policy on bike lanes is less clear, but his platform promotes their multifunctionality, supporting a variety of micro-mobility options, such as e-scooters, skateboards, and food deliveries, with an emphasis on separating these modes from both cars and pedestrians.
Greg Bisinella Transport Policy
Mariam Riza (Liberals for Melbourne City)
Deputy: Luke Martin
Transport policy: Riza advocates for removing bike lanes in the CBD, arguing that they cause traffic bottlenecks and proposing to increase car access to the city.
Mariam Riza Transport Policy
Anthony Koutoufides (Team Kouta)
Deputy: Intaj Khan
Transport policy: Koutoufides supports reducing the number of bike lanes, arguing that too many have been installed and that they take away valuable parking spaces.
Anthony Koutoufides Transport Policy
Anthony van der Craats (Rip Up the Bike Lanes)
Deputy: David Keith Cragg
Transport policy: Van der Craats leads the "Rip Up The Bike Lanes" group and is strongly against bike lane expansion, advocating for their removal.
Other candidates:
Eylem Kim's (Animal Justice Party): No clear transport policy outlined.
Gary Morgan (Team Morgan - Make Melbourne Safe): No clear transport policy outlined.
Phil Reed (Labor for Melbourne): No clear transport policy outlined.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.