Monday, 7 June 2010
New dedicated bicycle lanes have been installed in Albert Street East Melbourne.
A new design for the city has seen bike paths moved to the kerb and vehicles will now park between bike and traffic lanes.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the new design was a simple innovation that would improve safety for the city’s bike riders.
“Across the city we have rolled out a number of very successful bicycle lane treatments designed to improve safety and increase connectivity for cyclists.
“Our new bicycle lanes on Albert Street show that through simple design changes it is possible to significantly improve safety for riders without disrupting other forms of city traffic.
“We established that a priority cycling route was required through East Melbourne to link the current bicycle lanes in Elizabeth Street Richmond with the CBD.
“We have already rolled out a number of similar treatments on key cycling routes including Rathdowne, Elgin and Queensberry Streets, however the design for Albert Street combines the green vibra line pavement with the Copenhagen Style bike lanes in Swanston Street.
“This is the first time we have shifted the bike lane to the kerb and moved parked cars between the traffic and bike lanes.
“During peak periods (6.30-9.30am inbound and 4-6pm outbound) Albert Street will operate as a clearway with two lanes of traffic and a dedicated bike lane.
“Outside of peak periods the dedicated bike lane will remain next to the kerb and one lane of traffic may park between the bike lane and the traffic and thickly painted ridges – ‘vibra lines’ – will alert drivers that stray into bicycle paths by causing vehicles to vibrate.” the Lord Mayor said.
Councillor Kevin Louey said the new dedicated bike-lanes would increase the already extensive on and off-road cycling network available in the city.
“There are currently approximately 55 km of on-road bicycle lanes and approximately 55 km of off-road bicycle facilities available within the City of Melbourne. The new bike lanes in Albert Street will add an additional 2.05 km on-road bicycle lanes to the current cycling road network,” Cr Louey said.
A reduced speed limit of 50km/h speed limit will also be introduced in Albert Street. The bike lanes cost $340,000 to install.
The 2010/11 draft Council budget proposes to dedicate $1.1 million to bicycle lane upgrades and bike infrastructure within the City of Melbourne in the next year.
The new bike lanes will be operational from Monday 7 June, however some work will still be carried out until the end of June to complete the green pavement treatment.
For more information about Melbourne’s dedicated bike lanes and cycling facilities in the city visit Walking, cycling and skating or call 9658 9658.