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City census has numbers booming
23 October 2008. The number of people riding into to the city in the mornings has increased by 43 per cent in the last year accoding to the City of Melbourne’s latest Bike Account Census.
An average of 6,800 cyclists are riding into the city between 7am and 10am in 2008, compared to 4,770 riding in the same morning peak period in 2007.
The document can be dowloaded here:
The Account found people riding bikes five times a week has increased in the past year. There has also been a steady increase in the number of people riding to work 1-3 days a week, and more people riding once a fortnight and once a month.
Now in its second year, the city’s annual Bicycle Account captures cyclist behavior, cycling trends and includes an update on the development of cycling infrastructure.
More than 4,000 cyclists were surveyed by Bicycle Victoria to produce this year’s account —doubling the number of participants surveyed in 2007.
For the first time in 2008, the survey asked cyclists about the facilities provided in the workplace. Eight-two per cent had access to showers, 50 per cent had access to a secure locker to store their gear but more than 25% of cyclists said there was not adequate bike parking facilities at their workplace.
The Lord Mayor said the survey highlighted the need for large organisations to provide adequate bike parking spaces to employees.
The Account found 50 per cent of cyclists who rode into the city parked their bikes in off-street parking facilities (such as their workplaces, if available), 20 per cent locked their bikes to street furniture and 17 per cent locked their bikes to on of the 1,450 City of Melbourne provided bike hoops across the city.
The 2008 Bicycle Account found more cyclists using major on-road bike arterial routes from each the northern, eastern, western and southern suburbs:
• Cyclists riding into the city from the west using Footscray Rd in the morning peak increased by 26 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007 figures.
• Cyclists riding on the Yarra River’s north bank, adjacent to Gosch’s Paddock in the morning peak increased by 17 per cent compared to 2007 figures.
• Cyclists riding along the Princes Bridge (many of which also originate from Swanston Street) in the morning peak increased by 22 per cent compared to 2007 figures.
There was only a slight increase in cyclists recorded on Albert Street, East Melbourne where City of Melbourne will soon install dedicated bike-lanes in Albert Street to provide a direct and efficient link between the current lanes in Elizabeth Street Richmond and the CBD.
The first Melbourne Bicycle Account released in 2007 received great interest locally, regionally and nationally. Following Melbourne’s lead, other cities including Sydney now intend to develop their own annual cycling accounts.
Council forum focus on West Melbourne, North Melbourne and Kensington
May 08 Councillors and senior officers will be available to discuss local issues in this area. All are welcome to attend. You may submit questions before the event and recieve a response on the night or call 9658 9658 for more information.
This area of Melbourne was recently the subject of the West/North Melbourne 'Wheels and Heels' Plan, which recommended many positive initiatives for bikes which can be viewed here. The forum is a good opportunity for yout o show your support to Council to ensure this paln is implemented.
Lane design removes the gap but first the space had to be created
May 07 When the City of Melbourne wanted to install bike lanes along Elgin St, they went beyond looking at what space was available in the existing lane configuration. By adjusting the parking bay widths and the 2 existing traffic lanes, there was ample room to include the bike lanes without any adverse effect on other road users. The photos below show the before and after. Note where the existing lanes have been scrubbed off, which clearly illustrates how the resulting configuration was achieved.
Before
After
Filling the Gap Traditionally the standard design for a bike lane would start some distance after an intersection with a sharp angle proceeding out from the curb.
The City of Melbourne's design starts immediately after the pedestrian crossing and maintains the standard distance from the curb. The initial dashed line helps allow entering vehicles whilst maintaining through traffic in an orderly manner.
City of Melbourne Counts
Jan 07 Melbourne City Council performed traffic counts across many points around the CBD in June of 2006. Recording the numbers of vehicle types, including bikes. Whilst June is traditionally not a time of year for high rider numbers this survey has confirmed that cycling in Melbourne is booming!
Historically it would be expected that rider numbers be approximately 30% lower than the yearly peak period in March. .gif)
However during this survey commuting riders were out in record numbers.
On some of the major routes into the CBD bikes represent a strong proportion of vehicular traffic. Along St Kilda Rd bicycles represented 10% of traffic during 7-9am. Coming down Rathdowne St bicycle numbers were a very healthy 15% of traffic.
Whilst there were a few major cycling routes not covered in this count the overall trend of these counts show a general increase of approximately 15% in rider numbers.
Whilst 2006’s unusually warm weather could help partially explain this increase, it is historically the lack of daylight hours (especially for the journey home) that has seen rider numbers drop during the winter months.
We look forward with anticipation to March results, not to mention the 2006 Census figures.
See the counts and locations in detail (pdf 1Mb)
Bicycle Strategy
Nov 06 The City of Melbourne has produced a draft Bicycle Plan 2007-2011 and is inviting public feedback on the plan until Friday, 17 November 2006.
Bicycle Victoria has worked closely with Melbourne City Council and is generally pleased with the plan. The key identification of 'Quality' and 'Economy' routes will help to identify where improvements can be made and where funds and resources should be directed. With increased funding available (due in no small part to the Parking Levy) the council's opportunities place them in a strong position to really make a difference to riders in the inner area.
If you ride in the area we recommend you review the document (click here) and give your feedback to help Melbourne City Council improve cycling in the area.
July 06 Melbourne City Council have this year budgeted to review their Bicycle Strategy to help further improve cycling in their municipality. Bicycle Victoria looks forward to working with the council on this initiative. Register (on right) for updates so when we find out the process is beginning we can let you know automatically.
The vote went through
The City Council voted in favour of the bicycle measures to be funded by the parking levy.
Thank you everyone who sent letters of support to the Council. The Council is now waiting for the State - who collect the parking levy - to pass the money onto the Council.
The Transport Strategy is still open for comment.
Melbourne City will be implementing some bicycle works on the network in the months after the Commonwealth Games. We will keep you up to date with the news.
Draft City of Melbourne Transport Strategy
The new Melbourne City Council draft Transport Strategy outlines the direction they want to go in the future. In their words ‘the most environmentally and economically efficient modes of transport: public Transport, cycling and walking will be given priority over cars.’ Specifically the Strategy anticipates a number of opportunities including:
- allocating more road space to pedestrians and cyclists by installing wide pavements and bicycle lanes;
- more end-of-trip bicycle facilities around the city
- further improvements to the connectivity of Melbourne’s cycling network;
- changes to the planning scheme to promote sustainable travel in new buildings and developments
The draft Strategy is out for public comment until early April 2006. We support the thrust of the document and, if it is endorsed, we would expect to see increased investment in bikes and significantly improved conditions for bike riding.
They have asked us to send comments to this staff email:
$2m for bikes from the parking levy if we act now!
Feb 06 The Melbourne City Council is ready to spend $2m on bikes if you tell them that you think it is a good idea.
The Council meets on Tuesday 28 February. The Council papers are attached on the link. The matters up for a vote include:
- $1m to Copenhagen style cycle routes – this will enable substantial work on one or two routes into town
- $500k towards the Manningham St Bridge. (We estimate that it will need a similar amount from the levy next year to fund the whole project, but this is a great start.)
- $475 000 for improving the Northbank cycle route between Birrarung Marr and Queen St. This will link up with the new Commonwealth Games Bridge from the MCG and the refurbished Sandridge Rail Bridge near Banana Alley. This is the start of what we hope will become a series of works to develop a high standard cycle and walking route along the north bank.
- A $20 000 study into bike parking in the City including a European style parking station
These are all substantial, sensible, high impact projects that will significantly benefit bike riders.
Please write to the Mayor before Tuesday in support of this initiative:
lordmayor@melbourne.vic.gov.au
New Council budget provides for cycling
Jun 05 In the Council's 2005/06 budget $900,000 has been allocated for constructing a bicycle path on Northbank and a bridge over Manningham Street on the Capital City Trail in Parkville. We congratulate City of Melbourne for addressing these significant gaps in Melbourne's bicycle network.
Currently, the Capital City Trail drops down to street level at Manningham St, with a long ramp on one side and a flight of steps on the other side of the road.
A new pedestrian bridge running parallel to the railway bridge will eliminate the road crossing and steps, improving access and safety for trail users.
The Northbank Project will provide an additional walking and cycling route along the river and provide an alternative to the congested Southbank area.
Grattan St
Jul 05 Thanks to an email from one of our members to Melbourne City Council, new bike symbols and signs can be found on the shared path on Grattan St.
Bourke St Mall
Aug 05 Construction on Bourke St Mall is well under way. Bicycle Victoria is disapointed that that the new plans do not include bicycle access. For more on Bourkes St Mall upgrades see more on the City of Melbourne's webpage.
Jun 05 Currently cyclists are prohibited from riding through Bourke St Mall. Bicycle Victoria would like to access for cyclists through Bourke St Mall linking the new bike lanes along Bourke St.
We believe that cyclists would not be hazardous to pedestrians who already have to be aware of trams and service vehicles.
CBD bike lanes
Apr 05 We have been campaigning for a number of years for safe and attractive routes in and through the CBD (rather than petering out at the edge of the city centre).
The City of Melbourne has taken the first step by installing new bike lanes on William St, and Latrobe St. Although most only operate during clearway times, it is an important first step in getting facilities for cyclists in the CBD.
Bourke St and Elizabeth St have had 'shoulders' installed to provide a channel for cyclists to use between the parked cars and the travel lane.
We hope this is the first step towards making Melbourne a world class cycling city. Council needs to continue to plan and build for cycling by filling the major gaps in the city's off-road path network.
Closing gaps on the on-road cycling network and upgradinge important routes leading into the city.
LaTrobe St Lane Removed
Aug 05 There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the removal of a section of bike lane between William Street and King Street on the southern side of La Trobe Street in the CBD. Bicycle Victoria has contacted the City of Melbourne regarding the removal along this busy cycling route and has been informed that they are currently looking at installing a ‘Clearway’ type lane to restore continuity to this route.
If you would like to meet other cyclists in Melbourne visit the Melbourne BUG website for contact details and BUG meeting times.
Docklands
Jul 07 On July 1, the municipal management of Melbourne Docklands is transferred from VicUrban to the City of Melbourne with VicUrban continuing its role as the agency responsible for its development until the project is completed in around 2020.
Background
Docklands is Melbourne's new inner city waterside suburb that is being developed in the old dock areas to the west of Melbourne's central business district.
It is a great place to go for a ride, especially down to the New Quay area with its waterfront restaurants and bars. Telstra Dome is also relatively easily accessible by bicycle and has some parking rails to lock your bike to while watching the footy. Please note the temporary route that has been signed between Webb Dock Bridge (North side of Yarra) through to Spencer St at the Convention Centre/Crown crossing. Refer map on right.
As their website says, 'Melbourne Docklands is expected to irrevocably change the look and feel of Melbourne. It will become a waterfront destination for an estimated 20 million visitors each year, home for 20,000 people and a workplace for 25,000. The development of Docklands is also projected to create approximately 3,000 construction and permanent jobs each year.'
Cycling will be an important part of travel and recreation in the new suburb and it is vital that a high quality cycling network is provided from the start. Cycling, along with walking and public transport, are key to making Docklands a truly outstanding suburb in terms of liveability and quality of life where cars do not dominate public space.
Dockland's 2001 Bike Strategy makes this clear. This means quiet, cycle-friendly local streets, bike lanes on bigger roads and a network of off-road routes for recreational cycling.
Already there has been some progress but Docklands has a long way to go before it achieves this vision.
We have become increasingly concerned that some good work is being negated by poorly planned and designed infrastructure that will discourage cycling (and walking). In May 2004 we wrote to Docklands with our concerns and are awaiting a response.