Option A is a kerbside protected bike lane with parking on the southern side of Inkerman Street. A council report says that, of the four options considered at a council meeting on 18 October, this design provides the best safety outcome for all road users.

It includes green bike lane treatments at intersections and conflict points, a speed limit reduction from 50km/h to 40km/h and priority traffic signals for riders and pedestrians at intersections. 

Option B consists of these features but with a painted buffered bike lane, instead of a protected lane, located between the parking and traffic lanes. It would retain parking on both sides of the street. 

The public is invited to have its say on the design concepts on the council website before midnight on Thursday 23 November.

Original article 17 October:

High-quality bike infrastructure is on the agenda for one of Caulfield and St Kilda’s most promising east-west routes, as the City of Port Philip considers options for protected lanes along Inkerman Street.

Inkerman Street stretches through both the City of Port Philip and City of Glen Eira and has served as a focal point for both councils as they plan for population growth and increasing density.

The two councils have at times moved in lockstep toward the delivery of this key bike corridor, which would connect the Djerring Trail in Caulfield to the St Kilda Road bike lanes. The route has been designated a Victorian Strategic Cycling Corridor.

In November 2022, however, the City of Glen Eira voted to abandon plans for bike upgrades along its eastern section of the corridor.

Meanwhile, the City of Port Philip developed plans for the western section. On Wednesday 18 October it will vote on whether to release draft concept designs for public consultation.

“While Glen Eira will not be delivering a bike corridor between Hotham Street and Chapel Street, the bike link between Hotham and St Kilda Road maintains its importance due to the connection to the St Kilda Road Strategic Bike Corridor and the Melbourne CBD,” reads the council report.

Four designs have been developed for Inkerman Street bike infrastructure in the City of Port Phillip.

Two of these involve physically protected kerbside bike lanes of differing widths, one involves new on-road painted bike lanes with painted buffers, and the other maintains existing road treatments with new traffic calming measures in order to preserve the current parking.

The first option, pictured above, with wide 2.2 metre bike lanes and buffered parking on one side of the road, provides the highest safety increase for riders and aligns with the City of Port Philip’s Integrated Transport Strategy, according to the council report.

Riders who live in, or travel through, the area are encouraged to attend the council meeting at 6.30pm at St Kilda Town Hall on Wednesday 18 October to support the the delivery of protected bike lanes on Inkerman Street in the City of Port Phillip.

Riders can also write directly to councillors in support of the project, with a list of contacts available on the Port Phillip BUG’s website.

The post Bike lanes on the table in St Kilda appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The interactive map, launched on Tuesday 10 October, displays the locations of BUGs located around Australia.

BUGs play a key role by bringing bike riding communities together for social rides and events and lobby for improvements to infrastructure in their areas.

Bicycle Network is committed to supporting these grassroots efforts, as local advocacy is extremely important in exposing pain points for riders and identifying opportunities to improve the bike riding experience.

Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack says the grassroots efforts of BUGS across the country are an extremely important and effective way of exposing pain points for riders, and identifying opportunities to improve bike riding experiences.

Clicking on a BUG’s icon on the map pulls up key information including contact details, typical activities and advocacy initiatives.

These vary from specific infrastructure projects, such as a building the Mernda to Whittlesea Shared Trail or resolving flooding issues on the Darebin Creek Trail, to big-picture initiatives such as boosting investment in active transport.

The map was launched with a handful of BUGs, but we know there are hundreds more around Australia with many different priorities.They are invited to get involved in the project by sharing their information via an online survey.

Information gathered through this survey will help Bicycle Network populate the BUG map, but please note that only groups advocating for bike riding improvements will be added.

Check out the map here. 

Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.

The post Introducing our interactive map for Bicycle User Groups appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The proposed separated bike lane would run between the Upfield Shared Path and Pearson Street to the west. This roughly 1km stretch of Victoria Street is included in the Victorian Government’s network of Strategic Cycling Corridors.

Merri-bek Council’s proposed 2023-27 budget was met with backlash from the bike community when out for consultation last month. Riders bemoaned the lack of funding for new riding infrastructure in the municipality.

In response, the Merri-bek Bicycle User Group (BUG) rallied residents to push the council on the issue, and to great effect.

Of the 121 submissions to the proposed budget, 87 related to bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and 83 of them called for greater budget allocation.

“A lot of people living in these streets will see the benefit of better access to the Upfield Shared Path and Sydney Road,” says Merri-Bek BUG convener Faith Hunter.

“Everyone makes a lot of the Upfield Shared Path, but one thing we’re very conscious of is that if you live 300 or 400 metres away, there is no way to safely get to it. We are thinking of the three quarters of people who want to ride, but won’t ride in traffic.”

 

 

 

An Upfield Shared Path user crosses Victoria Street in Brunswick

Merri-bek Council has allocated $135,000 to the Victoria Street design works. Once complete, the designs will be put to the community for consultation.

The post Budget backflip funds Brunswick lane design appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Deloraine Yulefest weekend – Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 June

The much-anticipated Deloraine weekend of riding is back this Saturday 24 and 25 June and features the mid-year Christmas dinner at The Empire Hotel.

The 56.6km loop from Deloraine to Westbury will take in Quamby Brook on the first leg then up through Reedy Marsh after leaving Exton and back into Deloraine.

RSVP for rides and the dinner via https://ridewithgps.com/events/214154-nw-riders-yulefest-weekend-deloraine. Make your own arrangements for weekend accommodation. 

Kingston Creeks and Hills – Saturday 24 June

The Kingston Creeks and Hills ride is a great way to explore the trails, paths and quiet roads over a satisfying 19.5km loop.

Join ride leader Jack at 9.45am at the roundabout at John Street and Huon Highway, then head along the newly revamped Whitewater Creek path, through Huntingfield to the Peter Murrell Reserve trails and onto the roads through Howden and Blackmans Bay and back to Kingston.

Please RSVP in case of cancellation https://ridewithgps.com/events/220052-kingston-creeks-and-hills

Agrarian Kitchen to Lachlan – Sunday 25 June

The return ride from New Norfolk to Myrtle Falls on Sunday 25 June is a 22km return ride with some gorgeous scenery and delicious lunch on your return.

Meet ride leader David at 9.45am out the front of the Agrarian Kitchen, 11a The Avenue, for the 300 metre ascent on Lachlan Road, which has some gravel sections. The group will stop for morning tea at the falls before returning for lunch at the cafe.

Please RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/215550-agrarian-kitchen-to-lachlan

Ebike Coffee Cruise: Cadbury Loop – Thursday 6 July

The 29km Cadbury Loop on Thursday 6 July is a great ride to build confidence and understand the length and breadth of the Intercity Cycleway.

Join ride leader Di at 9.45am at the car park at the end of McVilly Drive to head out and back on the cycleway and ending with a coffee at Baked in Moonah.

Please RSVP in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/221685-e-bike-coffee-cruise-cadbury-loop

Blackmans Bay to Tinderbox Loop – Saturday 8 July

The 19km Blackmans Bay to Tinderbox Loop on Saturday 8 July takes in the spectacular coastal views and includes a stop at Tinderbox Beach.

Meet ride leader Jack at 9.45am at the car park near The Beach restaurant in Blackmans Bay to head out on sealed roads (with a short section of gravel) with a coffee stop at the end.

RSVP in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/220053-blackmans-bay-to-tinderbox-loop

Extended Tranmere Trundle – Sunday 9 July

The Extended Tranmere Trundle on Sunday 9 July is a 30km masterclass in using the eastern shore’s trails, paths and quiet roads.

Join ride leader David at 9.45am at the Simmons Park car park for the ride along the Foreshore Trail to Tranmere than back along roads and trails.

Bring morning tea for a stop at Pindos Park and the group will grab coffee and lunch at a café on the way back. Please RSVP in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/218699-extended-tranmere-trundle

Howrah Men’s Shed Amble – Thursday 13 July

The Howarah Men’s Shed Amble is a short 7km ride on 13 July, suited for older people who’d like to go for a gentle ride.

Join ride leader Brian at the Howrah Men’s Shed at 9.45am to head out along the Foreshore Trail to Hurricanes Café for a coffee before returning to the shed.

A good chance to oil the chain on the old clunker in the shed and get moving in winter! RSVP via https://ridewithgps.com/events/217164-howrah-men-s-shed-amble.

Wednesday morning TBUG rides

• 28 June: Westbury–Selbourne–Quamby, meet 9.45am at the Franklin Street sportsground; 46km.
• 5 July: Cressy–Poatina, meet 9.45am at the Big Fish, Main Road, 50km.
• 12 July: Westbury–Exton, meet 9.45am at the sport ground at 21 Franklin Street. 42km.

Upcoming rides & events

• Mt Nelson High Friday lunch– Friday 14 July
• Christmas in July Longley– Saturday 15 July
• E-bike Coffee Cruise: Scenic Route to Moonah – Thursday 20 July
• Moonah Mountain Moaner– Sunday 23 July
• Eastern Shore Fruit Loop – Saturday 29 July
• Turners Beach – Sunday 30 July
• Cygnet Wattle Road Gove Loop– Sunday 6 August
• Charles Darwin Trail – Saturday 12 August
• Hobart to New Norfolk Fruit Loop – Saturday 26 August
• Ulverstone – Sunday 27 August
• Kangaroo Bay to Mt Rumney – Saturday 9 September
• Forcett to Dunalley Fruit Loop – Saturday 23 September
• Gunns Plains – Sunday 24 September
• Margate to Kaoota return via Sandfly – Sunday 1 October
• Kangaroo Bay and local bush tracks – Saturday 7 October
• The Mighty Eastern Shore Challenge– Saturday 21 October
• Riana – Sunday 29 October
• Bothwell Apsley Country Loop– Sunday 12 November
• Shearwater–Moriarty–Sassafras circuit – Sunday 26 November
• Burnie Fernglade – Sunday 31 December

Bicycle Network Tasmania accredits Social Ride Leaders and requires anyone interested in leading rides to be accredited. If you would like to be one of our Ride Leaders, please email our Rides Coordinator with your contact details and what sort of riding you are interested in and we’ll let you know when the next Ride Leader Skills Development Workshop is scheduled.

COVID-19 guidelines

Our social rides leaders follow a set of protocols to help make our rides safer:

• Meeting places for rides will have plenty of space for people to maintain 1.5 metre to 2 metre distancing while unloading bikes, listening to the briefing, and getting ready to ride.
• Riders are asked to register online or via phone so there is no paper being handed around on the day. 
• People are asked not to attend rides if they have fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or runny nose or are in mandated isolation.

The post Looking forward to more riding time! appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The City of Merri-bek’s proposed 2023-2027 budget is out for consultation and, according to the BUG, falls way short of expectations.

The BUG will be holding a Bust the Budget session at Coburg RSL from 3pm-5pm on Sunday 14 May to help residents make submissions and answer questions about council’s plans.

BUG convenor Faith Hunter says Merri-bek Council’s proposed 2023-2027 Budget is a betrayal of Merri-bek’s legacy of delivering leading bike infrastructure, and abandons long-established plans to build a network of dedicated bike lanes.

“Over the next five years, Merri-bek City Council plans to build just one 300 metre stretch of protected bike lane – extending the existing O’Hea Street shared path to Derby Street, Pascoe Vale,” Hunter says.

“There is no allocation for the design and planning of new dedicated bike lane projects. As no new projects are being designed before 2027/28, it would be at least 2030 before any expansion of the network could be approved and built.

“As it stands, Merri-bek has only 5.1km of dedicated bike lanes throughout the municipality. With 16% of carbon emissions in Merri-bek resulting from fossil-fuel-dependent forms of transport, this backflip on active transport also amounts to an abandonment of Merri-bek’s 2030 emissions reduction target.”

Hunter says Merri-bek BUG appreciates the pressure that council budgets are under, given rate capping, record inflation and climbing construction costs.

“However, residents are also feeling the pinch and looking for ways to make their household budgets go further.

“Investment in bike infrastructure gives more residents the opportunity to meet their transport needs with a low cost, equitable and accessible option — getting around by bike safely.”

More information can be found here.

The post Merri-bek BUG push on council budget appeared first on Bicycle Network.