Bicycle Network: Good Design Guides

Bikes supplant cars in street parking trial

21 January 2010. In a sign of future trends the City of Yarra is replacing car parking spaces with bike parking to improve parking efficiency and access to facilities.

Seven new bike hoops will serve the Fitzroy Library and another 30 new bike hoops are going in at the Fitzroy Pool.

As part of a six-month trial, two car parking bays outside the library on Moor Street will be replaced by the hoops, which will accommodate 14 bikes.
The two existing bike hoops on the footpath directly outside the library will be removed, creating more space for pedestrians.

Yarra Mayor Cr Jane Garrett said the project outside the Fitzroy Library was an exciting first for the City of Yarra.

“This is the first time car parking space has been reallocated for bike parking in Yarra, reinforcing Council’s commitment to promoting cycling as a legitimate form of transport,” Cr Garrett said.

“The bike hoops will help meet the parking needs of cyclists and improve pedestrian amenity by creating more room on the busy footpath,” she said.

Following the six-month trial, Council will compile data on bicycle use, parking occupancy and library visitation and assess whether the bike hoops should become permanent.

“It is Council’s hope that the trial will be successful, and  we can begin to consult with other neighbourhoods to  create similar on-road bike parking in other parts of Yarra,” Cr Garrett said 

Last year the City Of Melbourne replaced street car parking with bike parking in Lygon Street, Carlton.

Despite some initial opposition by retailers, the move has proved a resounding success.

The moves confirm recent research which has established that on street parking is less critical to the success of shopping strips than has previously been thought, and that replacing some car parking with bike parking actually increases business activity in the precinct.