In a dramatic change of tune, the City of Melbourne last week abandoned proposals in its draft 2025 budget to cut funding from its bike infrastructure program.
The council restored much, but not all, of the funding that as recently as last year had been officially earmarked for expanding and upgrading the city's bike lanes over the next four years.
The 2025 budget and council plan formally adopted by councillors this week folded $6 million back into the program, up to a total of $15 million over the next four years.
The change of course followed a powerful community outcry over the breach of the council's former commitments on bike infrastructure delivery.
Almost 1500 people made submissions to the council on the proposed bike underspend, an unprecedented number.
Bicycle Network chief executive Alison McCormack said the outcome proved the power of collective voices and member-driven advocacy.
"It’s a win for safer streets, cleaner transport and a more liveable Melbourne," she said.
"Thank you to everyone who spoke up, especially our Bicycle Network members who make this work possible!
"And I also must publicly acknowledge the incredible work of the community groups who rallied and advocated for a better outcome with the Town Hall budget.
"It is through the work of all these people that the City of Melbourne has realised the critical importance of attractive, low-stress bike routes that bring people into Melbourne for employment and education.
"Bicycle Network will now be focused on ensuring these funds are spent properly and that the commitments in the 2030 Transport Plan are delivered.
"Let’s build some bike lanes!”
Lord Mayor Nick Reece took the lead role in bringing the council around to restoring the bike budget, stating that he was 100% behind amending the draft budget.
He said the result would be a safer Melbourne transport system for everybody.
The key fact that emerged in the budget debate is that the City of Melbourne is slashing spending to pay down debt.
Bike lane funding was cut along with dozens of other services. So even though the restored funding isn’t where it should be, this is a win that didn't come easily.
Some councillors apparently believed that the bike program was adding to the debt and a burden on ratepayers, not realising that for more than a decade now, much of Melbourne’s bike infrastructure delivery has come from external sources.
Bicycle Network appreciates the support of those councillors that voted for the amendment to the budget: Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell, Cr Mark Scott, Cr Kevin Louey, Cr Andrew Rouse, Cr Olivia Ball, and Cr Davydd Griffiths.
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