Inner: Docklands
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A major part of inner Melbourne and the bicycle network with the Footscray Rd path and Moonooe Ponds Creek path feeding thousands of riders every day onto the Capital City Trail through Docklands to the CBD and the Main Yarra Trail
Harbour Esplanade Masterplan aims to unravel the mess
10 Sep 2008 VicUrban have unveiled a proposed Masterplan for the Harbour Esplanade, which on first impressions, looks to be a good solution for riders travelling through the current confused precinct. The proposed design would see bikes have a designated straight space running through a treed corridor adjacent to Harbour Esplanade (refer image below with cycling corridor indicated in orange).
It is proposed to move the trams to the centre of the road, level the various areas along the waterfront and create an openspace activity area defined by the 'Verandah', a structure which will serve as a windbreak and encapsulate pedestrian movements and other activities.
As with all path designs the devil is in the detail and Bicycle Victoria will pursue input should the MasterPlan proceed and detailed design is commissioned. Particular attention will need to be paid to the areas along the path where entry/exits occur and higher volume pedestrian movements at interesctions and crossing points where lines of sight may have an impact due to the trees on both sides of the bike path. With the Capital City Trail being one of Melbourne's busiest bikepaths we believe curent and future capacity should be considered in designing the path width with a suggested 5m envelope our preferred requirement.
For more information see here.
Path conflict addressed by new approach
VicUrban is putting the finishing touches to the the new section of the Capital City Trail along Harbour Esplanade to help resolve path user conflict. Pedestrians will be well served with a 3 metre wide path clearly delineated from a 3 metre path for bikes. Whilst this 'paint only' approach to bike-pedestrian separation may not work in all scenarios Bicycle Victoria believes that the vital ingredients of width, clear delineation, straight alignment and good lines of sight incorporated into this design should help alleviate conflict on this new section between Bourke and Collins St.
Other elements which could help improve delineation in scenarios such as this are differentiation by surface colour, texture and/or material. In many european cities this is a common approach used with great success.
Bicycle Victoria has recently been consulted on this and other bike-related works in Docklands and welcomes the positive initiatives to improve bike facilities. You can send a message of support to VicUrban. Remember to keep your message positive.
Harbour Esplanade gets revisited
Nov 07 
Docklands historically has not been a happy place for cyclists. Poor design, conflict points and a confusing layout of the shared trail network have elicited many concerns from all users so it is encouraging to see the Capital City Trail get a rework between Wurundjeri Way and Bourke St.
Currently the path travels along a winding path through the centre of a park, designed for pedestrians and going past a children's playground.
The new path (right) looks like the alignment and clearances will work well. The approaches to Webb Dock Bridge and Bourke St however look more complex. Bicycle Victoria will be seeking more details to ensure a good outcome for riders along this very popular trail servicing large numbers of commuters in peak periods and equally high numbers of recreational numbers during off peak and weekend periods
The path adjacent to the park and tram line is getting upgraded in conjunction with a one lane traffic lane plus parking to service the recent developments in this region of Docklands.
May 04 As of May 2004 the waterfront at the north side of the new National Bank building is accessible for walkers and cyclists. The Capital City Trail has been constructed parallel to the tram line along Harbour Esplanade and the Capital City Trail is completed through Docklands Park to the Webb Bridge.
This means that for the first time in five years people can follow the Capital City Trail continuously through Docklands, though the navigation, safety and continuity of the path could be improved.
We are especially concerned with works at the Conder apartment development site and the intersection of Bourke St.
Webb Bridge
Sep 03 On 30 September 2003 the 110m-long Webb Bridge over the Yarra River was officially opened by the Hon. Steve Bracks. It completes a gap in the Capital City Trail for cyclists and walkers, but we are not happy with the installation of railings and barriers inside the "eel trap" section of the bridge.
The bridge has been divided into three narrow corridors which is likely to lead to collisions. Click here (PDF 23.4k) to view our email to the Docklands Authority.