The case for Separation
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Separated bike routes attract more riders and help get more people cycling more often
Riders prefer separated routes
There are many and varied types of people who ride bikes. Whilst many current riders are experienced and comfortable mixing it with vehicle traffic on our roads there are many whose biggest barrier to riding is an attractive and safe place to ride.
With riders numbers increasing and more new riders participating we have seen distinctly stronger growth on Melbourne's separated (includes off road) routes. The numbers of bike riders on car free routes have increased by 40% while the numbers of riders on on-road routes has increased by 20%.
Every weekday morning in the inner north there are thousands of riders heading toward the CBD and inner Melbourne. Ste Georges Rd has an excellent path down its median which carries almost 400 riders in the 7-9am peak southbound. This number grows to just over 500 crossing the Merri Creek bridge along Brunswick St. But as they head further south riders are making a very distinct decision.
The most obvious and direct route would be to continue along the length of Brunswick St and many do. However they are not the majority. As riders approach the Capital City Trail, riders are choosing to turn west and use the calmer and more bike-friendly Canning St.
It appears that the numbers are telling us that new riders prefer to be separated from motor vehcile traffic.
