Demanding Safer Cycling

Earlier this year Moreland Council increased the amount it was spending on bike infrastructure. Bike infrastructure is a big issue in Brunswick. We have 9.6 percent of people riding to work each day. Some of our off road bike paths are congested - especially the popular Upfield Shared Path.

And my community survey is showing that many people are concerned about bike infrastructure.

Let's clear up a myth, the quest for better bike infrastructure - more bicycle lanes, bike parking, lockers, lighting etc - is not solely about fighting climate change (though that is a fortunate side effect). People have turned to riding their bike because it is cheap, easy and quick.

Better bike infrastructure is about safety. As close to 10 percent of people ride their bikes, this creates capacity problems. People, sick of the congestion on the Upfield bike path, are riding down Sydney Road in ever increasing numbers in peak hour. These people are not protected from peak hour car travel.

Moreland must complete a bike plan next term. For Brunswick this bike plan must include:

• bike lanes on Sydney Road (initially peak hour)
• a couple of east west separated bike paths (our suggestions are Dawson Street and Blyth Street)
• improve the existing Upfield Shared Path to boost safety, lighting and capacity
• improve signage on bike paths
• better bike parking, especially at stations and shopping areas like Lygon Street, Sydney Road and Union Square
• bike racks on buses
• and keep Cyclovia