The Victorian Greens have called for pop-up protected bike lanes for six-months on Sydney Road to encourage more people to ride during the fuel crisis.
The Greens say Sydney Road is notoriously dangerous for cyclists despite being a popular destination for locals who often travel by bike. The nearby Upfield bike path is overcrowded.
Research from Monash University found that over 60 per cent of women would ride more often if they felt safer, and they particularly pointed to a lack of separated bike lanes.
A 2020 costing from the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office found that temporary physically separated bike lanes in the stretch between Brunswick Road and Glenlyon Road would cost just $300,000 for 6-months.
Safe cycling infrastructure group, Critical Mass, will be conducted a protest ride from the State Library to Sydney Road on Friday 24 April to call for safe bicycle infrastructure and accessible tram stops before the Brunswick level crossing removal works start in 2028. Critical Mass protests have attracted hundreds of cyclists at past protests.
The Greens say safer bike lanes would support more people to ride to shops, restaurants and locations along Sydney Road, supporting local business.
Victorian Greens Candidate for Brunswick, Adam Pulford
“With the cost of fuel rising, people are driving less and more people are looking for free or cheap transport alternatives. When there is safe cycling infrastructure, more people choose to ride.”
“Our community has been calling out for protected bike lanes on Sydney Road for years and despite two people dying while riding on Sydney Road and countless other incidents, Labor has ignored us time and again.”
“The Greens are putting solutions on the table, protected bike lanes are a simple way the government can help people save money while also improving safety and cutting emissions.”