The Andrews Labor Government will undertake a study into the potential impact on traffic if protected bicycle lanes are introduced on St Kilda Road.
This is the first step towards determining whether it is feasible to upgrade the bicycle lanes along St Kilda Road to improve safety for cyclists.
The study will consider how the road network will be affected if protected bicycle lanes which are separated from traffic would operate if they are introduced along the 5.2 kilometres of St Kilda Road between Linlithgow Avenue and Carlisle Street.
The study will include investigating how the operation of the road network, including cars and trams, will be affected if service lanes were modified to accommodate protected bicycle lanes.
It will also determine the feasibility of upgrading the existing bicycle lanes along St Kilda Road to improve safety for cyclists while also balancing the needs of drivers, pedestrians, public transport users, traders and the local community.
On average, approximately 3,100 cyclists travel each day on St Kilda Road, between Linlithgow Avenue and Carlisle Street, making it one of the busiest cycling routes in Melbourne.
In the five years to 30 June 2014, there were 131 crashes involving cyclists on St Kilda Road, with 25 resulting in serious injuries.
More than 60 of the crashes were a result of ‘dooring’, which occurs when drivers or passengers in parked cars suddenly open a door into the path of passing cyclists.
It currently has between six and eight traffic lanes, two tram lanes, two bicycle lanes, full-time parking in the service lane and off-peak parking in the centre median.
The $305,000 study has been developed by VicRoads, the Transport Accident Commission, Melbourne City Council and the City of Port Phillip.
The investigation, which is being delivered by VicRoads, is expected to be completed in late 2015.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“This is one of Melbourne’s busiest cycling corridors with over 3,000 cyclists travelling on this section of St Kilda Road every day and we want to ensure everyone’s safety.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to improving safety for cyclists, while balancing the needs of other road users, businesses and the local community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020