Bicycle Network: Take Action

Bicycle Network Victoria regularly supervises university research projects into cycling issues.  There are many opportunities for excellent student projects that can assist Bicycle Network Victoria. Areas of study include: engineering, health, environment, transport planning, recreation and economics.

For more information, please contact Bicycle Network Victoria on 8376 8888 or Bicycle Network Victoria - Campaigns.

Ron Shepherd Memorial Research Prize

Bicycle Network Victoria is incubating the Cycling Research Network, and is providing an annual prize pool of $2,500 towards the Ron Shepherd Memorial Research Prize. Cycling Research Network is administering the prize, which is awarded in May each year.

Examples of potential projects

Quantifying the benefits of providing bicycle facilities.

We know that cycling facilities bring many benefits including reduced road congestion, better community health, safer roads, more recreation opportunities and reduced greenhouse gas emmissions.  The study would attempt to quantify the benefits in Melbourne. For example, if government invested $1m on bike lanes and paths it could expect $Xm in return.

• Measuring bicycle usage before and after bicycle facilties are installed.
• Quantifying the effects of having a nearby shared path on property prices.

A survey of community perceptions before and after construction of a shared path or on road bike lanes.  We often find there is some local opposition to new paths but existing paths are very popular. We'd like to measure how people's perception of what would happen changes after a path or lane is installed.

• A study into the relative safety of different bicycle facilities.
• A study into the demand for different types of bike parking at railway stations and other sites.

Examples of past projects

• Survey of Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) devices in the City of Yarra
  The project reviewed LATM designs and suggested cycle-friendly improvements.
• How do cyclists enter Melbourne's CBD from the south and what can we do to make it safer and easier for them?
  Study concluded, amongst other things, that the St Kilda Rd bike lanes should be extended further north past the Arts Centre to Swanston St.
• Do bicycle lanes reduce the number of bike crashes?
  Project found that bike lanes encourage more cycling without a parallel increase in crashes.
• How safe are road crossings on the Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail and can we improve them?
  Project suggested safety improvements for several crossings.
• Do "end-of-trip" facilities encourage more cycling?
  Project found that secure bicycle parking is the best way for workplaces to encourage more cycling to work.
• What are the best surfaces for bridges on shared paths?
  The project detailed the many cheap, all-weather, cycle friendly options for bridges.