6. Removing barriers
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There are a number of other initiatives that will help increase the number of bicycle commuters to the CBD
Strong marketing of bike riding to the CBD through projects like Ride to Work.
Legislation that supports riding to work. Two pieces of recent legislation have helped fuel the bike riding boom.
- The 2004 change to the Planning Provisions, in which a certain level of bike parking is required in new buildings, has stimulated riding. Secure bike parking is often the only barrier stopping people from riding. It is time these provisions were upgraded and an effort made to retrofit all old buildings with bike parking.
- The CBD carpark levy has helped people and companies change their attitude to parking at work in the CBD. As a result of the levy, individuals are bailing out of their carpark agreements and companies are looking at ways to do the same. In addition, some money from the levy has flowed to the City of Melbourne, which has begun to invest more heavily in bicycle infrastructure. Upcoming projects like separated bike lanes in Albert St, Rathdowne St and improvements to Northbank of the Yarra would not have been undertaken by the City without this extra funding.
Outside factors like an increase in petrol prices may also help fuel the bike riding boom. These outside circumstances are not considered in our proposal. We need to build the high use commuter network now. If we do nothing and outside factors push more people towards bike riding, there will be no commuter network to help them get started. If we build the network, and outside forces swing in favour of bike riding, we will be ready and the outside forces will help us get to our targets quicker.