The City of Hobart has started a new consultation process for street design on Augusta Road and the top of Elizabeth St, following on from the Northern Suburbs Local Area Mobility Plan project in 2023 and North Hobart plan in 2025.
The LAMP project was extensively consulted, with residents raising issues on an online map in 2022, a draft report released for comment in mid 2023 and final report that was unanimously endorsed by the Hobart City Council in November 2023.
It followed community pressure from the Lenah Valley Community Association which presented its own map showing the need for cycling and walking improvements earlier in 2022.
The city’s initial LAMP consultation found one of the most frequent requests was for protected bike lanes, followed by more kerb ramps and safer crossing points. The draft report offered 4 options for safer cycling conditions on Augusta Road.
The final report endorsed separated lanes on Augusta Road but did not recommend a preferred design option, which is where this consultation comes in.
The options put forward in the LAMP report are based on a 15 m road width:
- Option 1: 2 x travel lanes at 3 m wide, 2 x parking lanes at 2.1 m wide, 2 x buffer at 900 mm wide and 2 x Separated bike lanes at 1.5 m wide.
- Option 2: 2 x travel lanes at 3.5 m wide, 1 x parking lane at 2.3 m wide, 2 x buffer at 800 mm wide and 2 x Separated bike lanes at 2 m wide.
- Option 3: 2 x travel lanes at 3.5 m wide, 2 x parking lanes at 2.3 m wide, 1 buffer at 600 mm wide and 1 x bi-directional bike path at 2.8 m wide.
- Option 4: 2x travel lanes at 3.5 m wide, 1x parking lane at 2.1 m wide, 1 buffer at 900 mm wide and 1x bi-directional bike lane at 3 m.
With the council having already decided that separated cycleways are needed, the question is now what they should look like.
While 1.5 m is the minimum width for painted lanes, with separated lanes it can be very squeezy and difficult to overtake other riders or avoid hazards. If lanes are chosen for both sides then it should be the option of 2 m wide lanes.
Bi-directional lanes provide more space when cycling movements are generally heading in the same direction, such as morning and evening peaks but it can be difficult to get to and from the lane from the other side of the road. It also needs to be built in a way that provides clear sightlines for cars entering and exiting driveways and side streets as drivers are not expecting riders coming in the opposite direction.
The other issue with Augusta Road is the poor quality road surface. Much of it is old concrete with raised gaps that cause hazards to bike riders. A top surface treatment should be considered for the bike lanes so riders don’t have to navigate hazards in a constrained space.
The lanes would be continued on into Elizabeth Street to Federal Street as recommended in the North Hobart Neighbourhood Plan that was endorsed by the council in May 2025.
Tell the consultation team what design you’d prefer to ride along via https://yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/better-streets
There is also an in-person drop-in session on Saturday 23 May between 11:30 am and 1 pm at St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth Street.
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