RACV has updated its vision for a bike superhighway network centered on metropolitan Melbourne, identifying new high priority routes for federal and state government investment.
Basing its trunk corridors on the Strategic Cycling Corridors identified by the Victorian government, RACV has analysed recent safety data and population projections to identify the routes that will deliver the greatest benefits from immediate investment.
The updated report builds upon work originally undertaken in 2017 and later submitted to Infrastructure Australia for adoption as a national transport initiative.
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-racv-bike-superhighway-report.pdf
The report identified four key routes as the top priorities:
- Chapel Street – crash history and high population and school student catchment.
- Sydney Road (Coburg-CBD catchment) – crash history, employment, and school student catchment.
- Flemington Road and Mt Alexander Road (Essendon-CBD) – school student catchment and potential network connectivity benefits.
- St Kilda Road to Port Melbourne along Park Street, Dorcas Street, Ingles Street and Turner Street as the Fishermans Bend precinct is developed.
RACV General Manager Mobility Julia Hunter says there is a critical need for increased investment in bike infrastructure and the updated map would help governments prioritise targeted active transport investment.
“RACV believes investing in separated bike infrastructure will increase the uptake of bike riding and save lives,” Ms Hunter says.
“The RACV Bike Superhighway provides a starting point for investment decisions, recognising there may be alternative roads within each corridor that are more feasible to upgrade than others.
"The main point is that separating bike riders from motor vehicles on corridors where there is highest demand is one of the most effective ways to keep people safe, and to encourage Victorians to ride more often.
“When it comes to getting around, Victorians are increasingly using multiple modes of transport, with 38% having used both public transport and a bike in the past 12 months," Ms Hunter says.
“The federal government’s Active Transport Fund has $100 million to spend, a significant portion of which we would expect to see invested in Victoria next year.
"RACV would like the federal government to prioritise that funding with consideration of the refreshed evidence-based RACV Bike Superhighway report,” Ms Hunter says.
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