Bicycle Network: Directory

Knox draft Budget 2013/14 available for public comment

16 May 2013. Knox Council's draft Budget 2013/14 is available for public comment until 6th June 2013, see council website here.

As a ratepayer and rider in the City of Knox now is the time for council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the Knox riding environment. We encourage you to make a submission to council.

Bicycle Network's own budget submission to Knox Council is available here.

Bicycle Network Victoria needs your membership support to continue to campaign for improving riding conditions for all riders. Become a member and receive crash cover and support, rider information and deals and help improve riding conditions.

Knox riders - drafting of council Budget 2013/14 underway

05 March 2013. As you read this Council is preparing its draft 2013/14 Budget. The time to act is now for more bike infrastructure funding!

As a ratepayer and rider now is the time for Council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the local riding environment.

Click here to tell your Council to invest in bike infrastructure (E-mail contact for Council provided) in the 2013/14 Budget.

Bicycle Expenditure Index (BiXE) 2012

15 November 2012. The City of Knox’s BiXE rating for 2012 is $4.02. This is below the Outer Zone council average for 2012, which is $5.65. This is based upon council spending of $631,849 and population of 157,088.

Relevant bicycle related investment for the 2012/2013 financial year includes but is not necessarily limited to expenditure upon the following projects/programs:
• Bicycle shared paths
• High Street Road shared paths
• Corhanwarrabul Creek Trail: Planning/design
• Knox Park BMX floodlight upgrade
• Bike path maintenance

Additional spending sourced from external grants and funds may apply, but that is outside the scope of BiXE reporting.

The City of Knox achieved a five-year BiXE average of $5.87. This is above the Outer Zone council five-year average for 2012, which is $5.80.

See full BiXE report available here.

VoteBike - Local Council Elections 2012

27 October 2012. Local council elections are being held in Victoria on October 27 2012. Bicycle Network Victoria is once again running VoteBike that allows you to engage with potential candidates on local cycling issues. We will collect statements from candidates about their commitment to cycling in Konx and publish them on the VoteBike Facebook event page for you to comment on.

Bicycle Network Victoria has identified the following key projects for the City of Knox that need the support of local councilors: 

•  Bayswater to Belgrave rail path - This path is mostly complete, but has some key gaps and vital points along the railway line from Bayswater Station to Belgrave.
• Ferntree Gully Road to Burwood Highway - Link the extensive EastLink path across to Burwood Highway.
• Ride2School - Continue to provide safe routes to schools foster healthy transport options for kids and reduce peak morning traffic congestion by up to 20%.

To view candidate statements for Konx go to our Find a Candidate page. Or to comment on candidate statements as well as voice your support for particular local cycling projects, visit our Facebook events page for Knox.

VoteBike allows you to have your say and make sure your vote counts for improved cycling conditions in your local area.

Bayswater Bypass Path Awaits you.

The shared bike and pedestrian path around Bayswater Station which provides a connecting link along the Bayswater to Belgrave Rail Path, was officially opened in November last year. Some final improvements have since been made to better separate cyclists from buses. A yellow Riley separator kerb has been installed along the short on-road lane past the bus bay. A further enhancement promoted by Bicycle Network Victoria was to have 2 pedestrian / bike zebra crossings across the bus entry and exit paths but this has been dismissed by safety engineers.  

The project which was jointly funded by Knox City and the State Government was complicated by the number of transport groups involved. However the benefits now apparent, of cyclists having a wide path separate from car parking manouvres, makes the wait worthwhile. The project improves access to the existing Parkiteer cage and gives cyclists ready access to the Station. Cyclists can benefit from the secure bike parking See : www.bv.com.au/general/bike-parking/43422/
a photo showing the yellow Riley separator strip which provides a designated cycle route around the bus bays and car park can be seen at East: Bayswater to Belgrave Rail path
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BiXE 2009: City of Knox

Knox City Council has a BiXE 2009 of $5.58 which is a 10% reduction on the BiXE 2008. This year’s result places Knox just below the average Outer Councils' BiXE 2009 of $5.78 but does show that Knox has exceeded the $5 per resident threshold. Knox has a 3 year BiXE average of $5.60.

Knox City Council has further opportunities to invest funds into cycling infrastructure such as:
• Improving the Dandenong Creek Trail to Scoresby Road
• Providing more on road bike lanes on Council-maintained roads, particularly around schools, eg Bayswater Secondary.

The Knox Festival – “Reinventing the wheel”

 10 February 2009. The City of Knox has made the bike the theme of its annual festival this year. To reinforce its bike agenda, the Council is launching its new Knox Bicycle Plan at the event.

The launch will be followed by the Oppy Bike Ride -- a free community event commemorating Australian cyclist great, Sir Hubert Opperman. There are two circuits -- a 14.5km course for fitter, more experienced riders that meanders through Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully and Wantirna South;  and a shorter 2km circuit that starts at Knox Regional netball Centre and ends at the Knox festival site.

The launch and ride is at 10.30am, Sunday1 March 2009, Ferntree Gully Recreation Reserve, Brenock Park Drive, Ferntree Gully.

The Festival runs from 10am to 4pm Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March 2009. Entry into the Festival is free if you ride your bike. Secure bike parking is provided.

Bayswater Station Upgrade

16 July 2008. Knox Council has further developed its concept plan for a new shared path through the Bayswater Railway station precinct.The development, jointly funded by the Department of Transport and the Council, will resolve the current messy connection on the rail trail path outbound from Heathmont, on to Boronia.

In developing the design Knox have had to address a number of issues and compromises including car parking and interaction with other rail station users. Knox has offered car park spaces on the north of Mountain Highway for use by rail commuters, this having been made practical by the new pedestrian lights at the rail crossing.

The draft design aims to avoid conflict with bus passengers by diverting around the bus loading area with cyclists having use of two proposed pedestrian crossings. Car parking would be adjusted to give the shared path its own space.

Discussions are still to be had with Connex, VicTrack, the bus companies, taxi representatives and Knox Council to agree on the overall design. Once the shared path design is finalized then Bicycle Network Victoria will assist Knox Council with advice on bike parking location and design.

Draft Bike Plan out for public comment

05 June 2008 Knox City Council have released a draft review of their Bike Plan for public feedback.

See if they plan to do the projects you want fixed or completed and give your feedback by 5pm Friday 20 June.

Cycling Developments in the City of Knox - a snapshot

Apr 08 We asked the City of Knox what was being done for bikes. Here is their reply, which we have divided between Council-funded and externally-funded projects. 

Riders in the area will appreciate being able to get off Ferntree Gully Road and Wellington Road and ride on shared paths.

As requested here is an update on bike infrastructure constructed in Knox over the last 12 months:

Council-funded

• Dandenong Creek Trail: 2.5m wide crushed rock shared path (north side), from Memory Lane to Chandler Lane

• Napoleon Road: 2.5m wide concrete shared path (east side), from Kelletts Road to the pedestrian signals to the north, Lysterfield
• Wellington Road: 3.0m concrete shared path (north side), from Dandenong Creek to Stud Road
• Wellington Road: 2.5m wide concrete shared path (north side), from Silkwood Way to Pinehill Drive, Rowville
• A section of 2.5 wide concrete shared path will be built on Mountain Highway, from Petalnina Drive to the caravan park, before the end of this financial year
• In addition to the bike paths, upgraded directional and warning signage is progressively being installed along the shared path network.

 Non-Council funded

• Eastlink: off road shared path paralleling Eastlink to be opened with the opening of Eastlink. (Some of this route uses parts of the existing Dandenong Creek Trail).
• Ferntree Gully Road: 3.0m concrete shared path (north side), from Dandenong Creek to Stud Road. ( VicRoads have commenced construction).
• Stud Road: 3.0m wide concrete shared path (west side), from High Street Road to George Street, Wantirna.  (Part of the Principal Bicycle Network).
• Ferntree Gully Road: wide kerbside lane from Dandenong Creek to Stud Road. (VicRoads have commenced construction.)
• Kelletts Roads: 2.0m wide asphalt shared path (north side), from Karoo Road to Jacob Drive.

• Kelletts Road: on road bike lanes from Taylors Lane to Napoleon Road, Rowville.

Council has also committed to jointly fund:

• a shared path through Bayswater Railway station. If signed off, this will be constructed in the 08/09 financial year, and

• a shared path from Stud Road near Kelletts Road to the Corhanwarrabul Creek, along the creek to Eastlink, then from the creek to Wellington Road (parallel to Eastlink) – this will be a 50/50 funding with Parks Victoria, staged over 2 – 3 years.

Members and Friends who live in the City of Knox - please go to your personal home page and send a thank you to the Mayor!

You can give us feedback on these projects by clicking here.

Forest Rd

Jul 05 Bike lanes have been installed on Forest Rd starting at the intersection of Doysal Avenue (FTG) and Forest Rd (Melway 74 C1) all the way along Forest Road (on both sides of the road) to the intersection of Church Street (The Basin) & Forest Road (Melway 65 G8).

Cr Ben Smith said the lanes would be extended later in the year, most likely to Ferntree Gully Cemetery.

These new lanes are the result of the efforts of a local resident who wrote to council asking for the facilities to be installed. Please see our Get it fixed page for information tips on how to make a difference in your area.

Stud Rd

Sep 03 Council is funding an extension of the existing bike path along Stud Rd, past Stud Park shopping Centre and through to Turramurra Dr (Melway 81 J2).

Bike paths

Upgrades are also taking place on the Knox Cycleway to improve asphalt surfaces damaged by tree roots and wear and tear. Concrete may be used in sections as it is smoother and more resistant to tree root damage.

Bike lockers

New bike lockers were installed at the Civic Centre in October 2004.