City of Melbourne vs Vic Roads 30/11/2010

8/9/2010

Councillor Cathy Oke was kind enough to organise answers to a number of questions, via staff at the Council.  Here is the text of the letter, with links to relevant articles. 

City of Melbourne
8 September 2010

Mr Nik Dow
6/165 Flinders Lane
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Dear Mr Dow

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CYCLING

Thank you for your email requesting for information on cyclng for publication on the Citycyclist.org website.  Councillor Cathy Oke has asked me to respond on her behalf.

[My first question was a follow up to a question asked 2 years earlier.  At that time Council said they were waiting for a consultants report on St Kilda Rd which would also cover the blackspot between Princes Bridge and Flinders St.  This time, I asked Council "the answer [2 years ago] related to the St Kilda Rd study, which is also of interest.  I'm wondering if this consultant's report was received and if so can I have a copy please? Has there been any subsequent progress on this project? Does the State Government still oppose segregated bicycle lanes in St Kilda Road? ]

City of Melbourne has installed approximately 70 metres of green pavement and bicycle logos on the [southern] approach to Flinders Street intersection and a refuge line on Princes Bridge to increase the road space for cyclists travelling between the kerb and the inner traffic lane.  Cyclists can also opt to use the segregated footpath on either side of Princes Bridge.  These measures have been introduced to improve the cycling amenity on Swanton [sic] Street between Flinders Street and Prince Bridge.  [So the consultants report has disappeared or at any rate is not to be released.]

We are currently developing a concept plan to improve bicycle facilities on St Kilda Road, between Princes Bridge and Southbank Boulevard.  The section of St Kilda Road, south of Southbank Boulevard is an arterial road under the care and management of vicRoads.  Any changes to the road cross-section are aimed at improving cycling amenity and require approval fromVicRoads.  The St Kilda Road Master Plan is on hold however, we will continue to meet with VicRoads until a satisfactory concept, aceptable to all stakeholders, is developed.  [This is code for the fact that the State Government will not let the City put in kerbside lanes for greater cyclist safety in St Kilda Road.  Write to Tim Pallas, Minister for Roads, Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne VIC 3000, Ph: 9655 6210, Fax: 9655 6651]

Road Safety International has been engaged by VicRoads to conduct the post implementation of the road safety audit on Albert Street. 

The City of Melbourne and the Department of Community Planning and Development are currently developing concepts for the section of Northbank between Spencer Street and Charles Grimes Bridge, the design will be based on recreational use rather than commuter use.  [The question actually asked was about the proposed floating Northbank path between Spencer St and St Kilda Road, which has been partially funded for several years but no action.  City Cyclist believes this path would be a recreational white elephant and instead much cheaper bike lanes could be installed along the length of Flinders Street.]

The installation of bicycle lanes in Flinders Street would have a significant impact on the local and pedestrian amenity also, resulting in significant congestion and delays.  [The City doesn't get it - a road full of bikes carries more people than a road full of cars, so transferring trips from cars to bikes reduces congestion.  And what do they mean by bike lanes reducing pedestrian amenity?  Anywhere else it is recognised that cyclised streets are safer for pedestrians as well.]

A City of Melbourne traffic engineering consultant's report on the proposal to install bicycle lanes along La Trobe Street and William Street concluded that there would be significant congestion along both streets.  We will investigate other alternatives once an independent review of Albert Street has been completed. [This was in response to the State Government's Victorian Cycling Strategy. Once again, the City thinks that transferring trips from cars to bicycles will increase congestion.  The opposite is the case.  Think of the small space for bikes on Princes Bridge, but more people cross the bridge in the bicycle lane than in either of the car lane, in peak times.]

Should you have any further enquiries on this matter, please contact the Engineering Services Branch on the telephone number below.

Yours sincerely

Gordon Duncan
Acting Manager - Engineering Services