Riders along the beautiful Main Yarra Trail can at last continue through Abbotsford without encountering any steps, formally ending Bicycle Network’s longest-running battle.
A sparkling stainless steel structure now swoops gracefully down to the Yarra River from the Collins Bridge above on Gipps Street.
You can ride along the river on the Kew side, cross the bridge and then turn down the elevated ramp, turn again and descend to the path along the river through to the Abbotsford Convent.
In the other direction you climb the gentle gradients of the ramp, 200 metres long in total.
The $15 million investment by Parks Victoria contributes massive value to the Main Yarra Trail by removing two flights of steps that greatly impeded use of the trail by riders and walkers, particularly riders with children or heavy bikes that had to be wrestled up or down.
The ramp supplements the similar project just along the river at Walmer Plaza where property developer Salta provided a new connection to the Walmer Street Bridge over the Yarra.
The new structure at Gipps Street, so wide and stylish, will lure visitors to the trail simply to look at it.
Bicycle Network has been campaigning for the removal of the steps for more than 20 years.
As far back as 2000, the then-Member for Richmond, Richard Wynn, committed to work for their removal and remained steadfast, but over the years promises and plans came and went.
It proved difficult to design a solution that did not interfere with the flow of the river during flooding. The new bridge has a flood marker, and you might be surprised how high the river can ride in this location.
Cadel Evans' mother, Helen Cocks, who regularly rode to work, threw her weight behind the campaign.
By 2017 Parks Victoria was promoting the concept of a ramp rather than a bridge, although local residents, who had a rather proprietary attitude towards the Main Yarra Trail they overlooked, proposed alternatives.
In December 2021 the final design was given the go ahead, and now two and a half years later, the work is done.
"It is another fine example of the care active transport infrastructure designers are taking in Victoria with structures entrusted with the task of attracting more people to take trips on foot and by bicycle,” Alison McCormack, Bicycle Network CEO, said.
“We thank the riding community for all the support they gave us over the years on this project.
“Thanks to Parks Victoria and the state government for sticking to the task and delivering a structure all Victorians can be proud of."
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