Bikes on metro public transport
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Bicycle Victoria has proposed that riders should be able to use buses and trams - as well as trains - to further their cycling range
Bicycle Victoria continues to work for better provisions for people who want to use bikes in conjunction with public transport.
Locked on at Southern Cross
23 October 2008. Security staff at Southern Cross station have began illegally placing security chains on bikes that have been parked in public areas in the surrounding precinct.
Bicycle Victoria is challenging the practice on behalf of affected members.
Bike parking is a problem at the station. There are a limited number of very expensive lockers at out-of- the-way locations–nothing that meets the real needs of commuters.
Recently commuters who had locked their bikes to various fences, poles and stanchions around the station complex began receiving warning notices.
Now they find their bikes have been chained and can only be released by contacting the station security office.
We have received legal advice that the station authorities have no powers to lock up and impound these bikes.
Our lawyers have been asked to take action to end this practice.
Bike routes to stations & stops
Better provisions for people to cycle to public transport can increase patronage as it increases the 'catchment' of each station. This is because most people will only spend about 15-20 minutes to get to a station. By foot this is about 1km; by bike it is 3km.
Our highest priority is improved bicycle routes to public transport stations so people can ride to the station. Secure storage for bikes at stations, especially rail stations, then becomes a priority. Another high priority is access to new low-floor trams.
Bike racks on buses
Other possibilities, such as bike racks on buses, are considered a lower priority as they are difficult, complex and likely to have a small impact. Brisbane is currently trialling bike racks on buses. See Brisbane Council website for more.
The exception would be long-distance express routes, such as the airport Skybus, or outer-suburban express routes that connect to a train station e.g. Warburton to Lilydale or Whittlesea to Epping.
Bikes on low-floor vehicles
We believe that bikes should be allowed on Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) vehicles at peak and off-peak times (providing that space is not required by disabled people).
Furthermore, bikes should be allowed on conventional, existing trams and buses at off-peak times.
Melbourne is to gain new trams and buses that comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). These vehicles will be designed with low floors and enough space to accommodate wheelchairs. This means plenty of room for bikes too. About 10 per cent of the fleet are expected to be DDA compliant in five years.
Southern Cross (Spencer St) Station redevelopment
The State Government is redeveloping Spencer St train station in a public-private partnership with Civic Nexus. The consultation phase of the project did not take into account the need to retain the ramp on the Bourke St pedestrian bridge, which provides an important off-road connection from Docklands to the CBD.
It is important that the ramp be retained so that novice riders that are not comfortable on the road can ride off road from the Capital City Trail and Docklands to the edge of the city. The current design shows the ramp being replaced with a lift that does not provide the same continuous (albeit tight in its current form) connection as a ramp.
Bicycle Victoria has also asked that appropriate end-of-trip facilities be provided for visitors and workers as part of the redevelopment.
We encourage cyclists to email the State Government and ask that cycle access be retained: Linking Victoria Spencer Street Feedback.
Support the people who support your bike riding. Join Bicycle Victoria.
