Why we need a protected bike lane on Inkerman St

Inkerman St is one of the most dangerous routes in Port phillip

This is not just for people on bikes, but also for pedestrians and drivers. In the 5 year period to 2022, 33 crashes were recorded, with 13 involving bike riders and 10 involving pedestrians [1]. The plans for a protected bike lane also include the option of slowing traffic down to 40km/hr and incorporating extra pedestrian crossing points, which should improve safety for all users.

A painted bike lane is not consistent with road design guidelines for a road this busy

There are around 6300 vehicle movements in each direction daily along Inkerman St [2]. Australian roads guidance is that a road with this level of vehicles, and speed limit 50km/hr, should have segregated lanes [3].

An image showing

BIKE LANES ALLOW KIDS AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO TRAVEL INDEPENDENTLY

Young people need to get around: to go to school, to visit friends and family, to get to sports and other activities— to live their lives as full members of our community. If they can ride or scooter safely, they can get out of ‘mum’s taxi’ and develop their own independence.

To reduce air pollution

Air pollution in East St Kilda is well above WHO safe air recommendations: a recent Guardian report estimated the PM2.5 levels as 7.4 µg/m3 [4]; the safe air recommendation is less than 5 µg/m3. By encouraging a modal shift towards less polluting modes of transport, we can improve the air quality, particularly for people living directly alongside very busy streets.

A map showing air quality estimates in Melbourne suburbs.

To fill in the missing link for travel to and from the south-east

There are very few protected bike lanes for travel to and from the south-east of Melbourne. Gardiner’s Creek trail is about 4km north of Inkerman. The Bay Trail is about 4km south. With a bike lane along Inkerman St and Inkerman Rd, the new St Kilda Rd bike lanes would join with the Djerring Trail (under the sky rail), allowing convenient access from the city, through East St Kilda, to Caulfield and beyond to Dandenong.

This missing link is a vital part of the network!