The northern stretch of Wellington Street is set to receive an upgrade that will make it safer and more accessible for the 2000 riders who use the route daily, and for more riders in the years to come.
The City of Yarra is planning the works on the section between Johnston Street and Queens Parade, which lacks the protected infrastructure on the southern section between Johnston Street and Victoria Parade.
Copenhagen-style bike lanes were installed on the southern section in 2019 and rider numbers increased by more than 40% during the morning peak, according to Bicycle Network Counts data.
The 2019 works added to separated lanes that started at Victoria Parade and ended at Gipps Street, extending them to Johnston Street about 600 metres away.
However further north, riders must travel on a painted bike lane wedged between parked cars and motor traffic, which can become squeezed and dangerous at different points along the way.
The City of Yarra is seeking feedback to help inform its designs for the project, which will make it safer for riding and walking. You can have your say here until Monday 6 November.
Once complete, the works will mark the delivery of the Wellington Strategic Cycling Corridor, a project around a decade in the making.
The key north-south corridor connects to many businesses, schools and community facilities, and accommodates many commuters travelling to and from the CBD.
The council says data demonstrates that people riding bikes are overrepresented in crashes on Wellington Street. It is seeking to improve safety and encourage bike riding and walking on the busy road.
TAC crash statistics reveal that between 2014 and 2019, at least one person on a bike was severely injured in 76% of the crashes that occured on Wellington Street between Johnston Street and Queens Parade.
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