As the Australian Open tennis tournament looms, construction of the Greenline project through Birrarung Marr is in cold storage until next year.
The Open’s ever-expanding presence is planned to overflow onto the north bank of the Yarra River during this year's tournament, shutting down work on the Greenline.
It is timely to remind riders to take extra care in and around the Australian Open precinct in the lead up to and during the event.
If you have a ticket, you should ride your bike: it is a great way to get to the tennis as most of Melbourne bike network gets you right to the door.
Be aware though, that bike parking may be in short supply. Event staff also love to ride, and they will have already taken many off the bike parking spots.
Every year staff and patrons complain to Tennis Australia and Bicycle Network about the lack of bike parking and organisers promise to do better next time.
Riders passing through the precinct, especially using the bikes lanes outside the venues, should be especially watchful.
Large numbers of people seeking taxis and Ubers are spilling out of the stadium in full party mood, making the streets hazardous for riders.
Note also that the January crush along Southbank might make it advisable for bike commuters to avoid that area.
The Greenline Project, which will deliver new boardwalks, walkways and river-edge plantings in Birrarung Marr, was planned to be complete, but Melbourne Water has yet to wrap up its flood assessment approvals.
Works start again after Moomba in mid-March 2025 with a view for completion by the end of the year.
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