The draft Budget released by the City of Melbourne last week shows a surprise cut-back to plans for the development of inner-city bicycle routes.
Instead of the previously agreed $3m a year over the next four years, the draft is short of $3m, with a mere $1.5m spend in each of the next two financial years.
This is puzzling as the Lord Mayor Nick Reece went to the recent election with an emphatic commitment to maintain the council’s bike program at the existing level: “Lord Mayor Nick Reece will maintain investment in bike lanes over the next four years at the same level as the previous term of council,” he stated.
Furthermore, the current program was thrashed out and agreed to by all parties, including Bicycle Network and Cr Reece, at a meeting at the town Hall in April last year, and subsequently endorsed the council.
For 20 years Bicycle Network and the council have worked in a close and trusting partnership to devise and develop the network of bike infrastructure that has transformed Melbourne streets, the city's attractiveness, and its burgeoning economy.
Have we reached a moment when this important relationship must be recalibrated?
And this unpredictability reaches more broadly, involving all the other players in transport and development who have synchronised their long-term plans with those of the Council.
Infrastructure programs can’t be switched on and off like a tap: you need a steadily flowing pipeline of projects – along with all the matching approvals – to ensure they are delivered economically.
It is worth noting that in recent years there has been a considerable underspend on the bike program, with substantial amounts carried forward. But this Budget shows no carry forward: where has that bike money vanished to?
Fortunately, the budget is just a draft and is now out for public feedback.
This is the opportunity for Melbourne bike riders to contest the published figures and ask for the council's prior commitments to be honoured.
Make sure you submit as this Budget misadventure needs putting right.
As Melbourne prepares for the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year, there will be major changes to flows of people on foot, and when the Veloway from the west opens, people on bikes.
Melbourne has a plan to facilitate this move towards active transport – by 2030 there would be 50km of bike routes on council roads and 40km on state roads.
If they dribble out funding at the current rate, they are going to fail embarrassingly.
What is happening to the key projects? The Macaulay Road project has been designed, consulted on and funded since 2023; the restitution of Queensberry Street to its permanent arrangement is waiting in the queue. Same with Royal Parade southbound.
Answers are needed.
Update 27 May 2025
Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack said the City of Melbourne is walking back on its commitment to safe, sustainable transport by slashing $3 million from its promised investment in bike lanes.
"These cuts threaten Melbourne’s ability to meet its 2030 sustainability targets and make it harder for people to choose active, low-impact transport.
"Bike lanes aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity for thousands of city workers everyday.
“We need riders to help us hold decision-makers accountable and keep Melbourne moving, safely, sustainably and for everyone.
"Make a submission and get these cuts reversed."
Update 28 May 2025
On 9 October 2024, prior to the most recent election, Councillor Nick Reece published the following commitment: “Lord Mayor Nick Reece will maintain investment in bike lanes over the next four years at the same level as the previous term of council.”
However, the projected investment in cycling infrastructure under the proposed 2025–2026 budget is only $9 million, which represents:
- An $11.06 million shortfall compared to the previous four budgets; or
- A $9.97 million shortfall compared to actual expenditure over the previous four financial years.
This figure excludes investment in Elizabeth Street.
Make a submission before Monday 2 June and ask Council to stick to its promise.
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