Inner: Southbank of the Yarra
About this page
This pages covers the bike route on the south side of the river from Punt Road (City of Melbourne boundary) to the Eel Trap Bridge at the western end of the Convention Centre project.
Southbank
May 06 Cyclist dismount signs have been removed and the area defined as a shared zone on our request. We support this approach as it maintains rider access to Southbank destinations and low speed through travel. It is our understanding that the Northbank cycle route will allow for higher speeds. The north bank is currently carrying twice as many riders as the south.
The advisory speed limit is 10kph which is appropriate for a high use pedestrian zone (see below)
We ask riders to respect the other users on Southbank.
The Capital City Trail along the Yarra River through Southbank is an integral part of Melbourne's bicycle network. Not only is Southbank a popular destination for recreational bike riders looking for refreshments, it is also a through route for cyclists riding the trail to other destinations.
Melbourne Experience Trail
Bicycle Victoria's vision for a path on both sides of the Yarra between Docklands and Birrarung Marr. In 1994 we developed a proposal for a shared bicycle and pedestrian path on both sides of the Yarra River between Webb bridge and MacRobertson Bridge.
The cornerstone of the project for the Melbourne Experience Trail is the section between Birrarung Marr and Docklands along the Yarra's northbank. The $18 million dollar project will enhance Melbourne's riverfront precinct and provide an attractive walking and cycling route along the Yarra's north bank.
Bicycle Victoria wants to see this section constructed prior to the Commonwealth Games to enable walking a cycling access to games venues along the trail network.
Earlier
Despite Southbank being a shared zone for pedestrians and cyclists since the promenade was opened (and maps published by City of Melbourne in 1993, Parks Victoria's Open Space Strategy released in 1992 and Melway maps all recognise Southbank as a shared zone for cyclists and pedestrians) the City of Melbourne has done a back-flip claiming that the Capital City Trail through Southbank is not a bike route.
This contradicts signage which was installed when Southbank was constructed stating it is a 'shared pathway'.
Melbourne City Council is claiming that the bike route is only 'proposed' and have stated in correspondence that they consider the promenade is 'a non-designated bicycle area'.
In Dec 2002 'Cyclists dismount' signs were installed at Princess Bridge, primarily to encourage people to dismount when the markets are on. Although only advisory they give confusing messages, especially outside market times when the bridge undercroft is empty.
During market times we believe this public thoroughfare should not be blocked to people walking or cycling along the Capital City Trail.
Space should be maintained to allow people in wheelchairs, pushing prams or on bikes to enter Southbank under Princes Bridge without getting caught up in the bottleneck created by the markets.
Suggested improvements for Southbank
Managing how people use Southbank's mixed zone would be improved by:
- Replacing 'Cyclists dismount' signage at Princes Bridge with a clearer and more appropriate message: "Shared zone. Slow. Cyclists give way to pedestrians. This is similar to Hardware Lane or MacKillop St which are shared zones for motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
- Reducing the concentration of market stalls by relocating some beyond the undercroft of the bridge(particularly in the sunny and popular summer months) to eliminate the unsafe bottleneck.
- Construct the Northbank path to provide an additional walking and cycling route to give people an alternative to using Southbank.
Exhibition Centre to Webb bridge
There is a gap in the trail between the Exhibition Centre and Webb bridge in Docklands. Currently there is a bumpy wooden boardwalk along the river that is unsuitable for wheeled devices such as bicycles and wheelchairs (although access is still available). It also has a set of steps near Charles Grimes bridge so trail users must detour through the south wharf carpark to avoid the steps.
See link (right) for photos and suggestions for completing this missing section.
Sandridge Bridge
Jun 05The state government and City of Melbourne's are converting the historical Sandridge Rail Bridge into a pedestrian and cycle river crossing. Work commenced early in 2005 on the south side of the river as part of the Queensbridge Square development.
Bicycle Victoria commented on draft plans in 2002. We emphasised that the final design needed to include the following:
- Maintain direct access for bicycles through Queensbridge Square as the route is part of the Capital City Trail.
- Provide connection for biycles with Southbank Boulevard (a Principle Bicycle Network Route)
- Provide a ramped connection to Sandridge Bridge. Ideally the ramp should have generous width to allow easy movement by wheelchairs, prams and bikes as well as pedestrians
- Provide for bicycle access over Queens Bridge and along Queens Bridge Street (north and south).
In April 2005 we contacted City of Melbourne about the connection from Southbank Boulevard to the Capital City Trail as we were concerned that a good connection for bikes may be overlooked. This is an important route for people travelling from St Kilda Rd bike lanes to the west end of the city via Queensbridge and Market St. Recent road works on Southbank between City Rd and Freshwater Place provided an opportunity to install bike lanes on this section of road but they weren't included.