The VicRoads pop-up bike infrastructure trial has been controversial. For the 20th July Council meeting there were two motions on notice regarding the trial: Motion 14.1, asking for ripping up all the previously installed infra. Motion 14.4, asking for a review of the more controversial sections, removal of some bollards unless necessary, and reinstatement of the turning lane on Williamstown Rd.
Ahead of the meeting, the BUG convened a community ride to evaluate the different treatments, on Sunday 17th July. Councillors Peter Martin, Heather Cunsolo and MLC Nina Taylor spoke to us at the start of the ride. (We were also filmed and interviewed by Channel 7). We rode from Port Melbourne, through to St Kilda and Elwood then back around to Balaclave. Heather Cunsolo joined us for the ride. We collected evaluations in a survey form. Our report is here, it has some very mixed evaluations—- which makes sense, because the treatments are very varied, from re-painted lines and speed humps to experimental centre of the road bike lanes. (We raised questions about these treatments with VicRoads ahead of the trial, asking whether these had been previously successfully trialled elsewhere.)
The Council meeting was quite full, with many unhappy residents from Westbury St. The BUG submission to the meeting made the points
This is a climate crisis, and making it safe for people who already want to cycle is low-hanging fruit to decarbonise our transport
The best way to do this is protected bike lanes, which this trial does not include (since they removed Kerferd Rd)
The community evaluation of the changes was very mixed, with some good and some not
The trial should continue so we can continue to evaluate these treatments, and keep/modify/remove them in response. Removing all the changes wholesale now would be a waste of money. Hence we advised rejecting motion 14.1. We didn’t think the review proposed in motion 14.4 would add much to the existing process so we also advised rejecting that.
Council’s own bike policy plans building 11 bike routes in the decade 2018-2028, they’ve only completed ONE so far and have another two in planning/construction.
The concerns raised by supporters of motion 14.1 included property prices, safety (including from some cyclists), aesthetics, the lack of consultation, and that it was unnecessary. There was also a bit of heckling from this group, which was disappointing to see.
We found out that after the trial, the yellow paint will be removed, since it is supposed to designate temporary markings only--- if the changes are made permanent then it would be replaced by white.
In the end, both motions were withdrawn, replaced by a compromise motion to work with DoT to review the installed changes, which passed. Westbury St, Bridge St and Williamstown Rd were singled out here, so I expect that these will be changed or removed fairly quickly.
Overall a reasonable outcome for cyclists--- hopefully we'll keep those parts of the program that do provide modest safety improvements. We can also suggest more attractive alternatives such as planters and rain gardens instead of bollards.
Send any feedback on specific parts of the trial to PopUpBikeLanes@roads.vic.gov.au, or via the map at https://transport.mysocialpinpoint.com/pop-up-bike-lanes#/
The main game for improvement to safety and increased mode share for cycling remains protected bike lanes, which were not part of this program. Council should get a move on with building these!