Bicycle Network Victoria: Metro Routes

Clarendon St tram stops

8 June 2005 – Solution

Good news arrived today about the tram stop plan in Clarendon Street. The City of Port Phillip is withdrawing its plan to install platforms across the kerbside lane. These would have forced riders to merge into a motor vehicle lane at an angle across tram rails. See below.

Local supporters and the Port Phillip BUG made strong representations to the Council that the platforms were not acceptable. These views were obviously listened to. Please thank the City of Port Phillip for listening to bike riders: assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

We continue to support the tram platform concept when riders can ride across the front of the platform. This option was rejected by the City.

We have said publicly that we will support improvements to the tram network that are also pro bike. We are also keen to work with the City to increase the number of riders visiting the Clarendon shops.

13 Jan 2004 – The problem arises

New 'kerb access' stops have been installed on this popular shopping strip for a 3-month trial period. (We asked for feedback to the City and VicRoads. Many people wrote.)

Bicycle Network Victoria was not consulted on the design, which negatively impacts on cyclists. Although there are parallel cycling routes on Moray St and Cecil St for cyclists travelling to and from the city, these routes do not cater for local trips to the shops.

Bike riders wanting to access the shops on Clarendon St will face 'squeeze points' at each tram stop which forces cyclists to cross a tram track and merge with the motor vehicle traffic and re-cross the tram track on the other side of the platform, which is a difficult and risky manoeuvre.

Port Phillip BUG is also concerned about the changes and have produced a flyer outlining their concerns and action.

There are a variety of options that could be incorporated into the design that would cater for cycling traffic while still achieving improvements for trams. For example cut-throughs for bikes at kerb outstands or wider gaps between kerbs and tram tracks.

Because through traffic has been reduced to one lane, there is space available to mark bike lanes between parked cars and the tram fairway line.

At the locations where tram stop platforms are to be installed, bikes could be ramped over the front of the platform or at the rear of the platform. This type of treatment is commonly used overseas. Unfortunately we haven't had the opportunity to discuss some of these alternative treatments.