The long running project to develop an east–west bike corridor through Richmond faces a critical decision on Tuesday when City of Yarra councillors vote to continue the Elizabeth Street bike route.
The Elizabeth Street project is one of the most critically important in the Melbourne metropolitan area, forming a continuation of the Albert Road route from the city centre.
It has been under development by the City of Yarra for more than a decade, with a trial configuration with separated bike lanes currently in place.
At Tuesday’s meeting councillors will vote on an officer recommendation to continue with the trial until the end of the year while final designs for the permanent design are completed.
The recommendation – Option one with 2.1m lanes – is backed by an exceptionally thorough 160-page report which mounts a bulletproof case for the project to continue as planned.
Yet, following the council election last year which resulted in several fresh faces, there have been swerves in policy that suggest the integrity of the Elizabeth Street project could be sacrificed for more car parking.
Parking studies along the street have clearly shown that much of the parking available is not being utilised.
Bike riders with an interest in travelling in and through Yarra should take a keen interest in this issue and involve themselves in Tuesday’s decision if they can.
The meeting is open to the public and can be watched live on-line. Questions can be asked following registration. Council papers and meeting participation details are available here. https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/council-meeting-preview-tuesday-8-april
Bicycle Network CEO, Alison McCormack, urged riders in the city of Yarra to contact their ward councillors and politely remind them of the importance of this project.
"Melbourne’s inner suburbs are choked with traffic and the old-style roads without decent bike facilities are risky places for bike riders and other road users,” she said.
"The council and the state government have spent many years planning for Elizabeth Street to be the main east–west corridor into the north-west of the city from Richmond.”
"We must ensure that this plan is not compromised in any way,” she said.
This same council meeting also features a report on the future of Coppin Street, a notorious rat-run through mostly residential neighbourhoods.
Again, uncertainty has arisen over plans to improve the safety and amenity of the street.
The council agenda papers also contain an extensive report on this project which recommends that the City of Yarra continues with plans to re-design key intersections along the corridor.
Bike riders with an interest in the issue should also be making their views heard on this topic.
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