Bicycle Network: Take Action

People want to ride their bikes and many people already have bikes, but they don't have a place to ride

Bicycle Network Victoria's core campaign is for 16,000km of bicycle facilities to be provided across Victoria in four integrated networks by 2010. This will give all Victorians a place to ride their bike and make Victoria a healthier, more active place and a better place to live and visit.

Different types of bicycle facilities suit different types of riding and riders. Each of the networks will serve different types of riding from recreational riding to training to transport and different types of riders from novices to experienced cyclists:

The four main networks are:

• N1 – 3000km of bicycle lanes on main roads in towns
• N2 – 60000km of cycle friendly local roads
• N3 – 5000km of bicycle and shared paths in towns
• N4 – 2000km of multi-use tourism trails in regional areas.

In addition, Bicycle Network Victoria supports:

• access to appriate trails in Victoria's State and National parks
• cycle friendly routes, mainly on road shoulders, between towns and cities.

Bicycle Network Victoria's 4 Networks Challenge, released in 2001, sets out the responsibilities for each part of government to deliver each section of what will become the complete network of bicycle lanes and paths throughout Victoria.

The Challenge also sets a realistic milestone for each network that can be achieved by 2010 and lists the key tasks facing supporters of cycling if we are to reach these goals. Bicycle Network Victoria will use the document to ensure that all governments (local, state and federal) and government agencies know what we are campaigning for.

The Four Networks Challenge will also help the wider community contribute to improving cycling in Victoria.

The Four Networks Challenge is available online (right).

N1 – Bicycle lanes on main roads (VicRoads and Federal Government)

Cyclists need bike lanes on our busy and direct main roads. VicRoads is responsible for delivering the main road network.

In Melbourne the network is called the Principal Bicycle Network (PBN) and in regional towns it is called the Municpal Bicycle Network (MBN). The PBN is a 2,000km network of cycling facilities on Melbourne’s main roads.

The State Government promises to spend $4 million on the VicRoads program in 2003/04, down from $6 million in 2002/03. In our representations to the State Government and our submission to the 15-year plan for Metro Melbourne (the Metro Strategy) we have asked the government to continue its commitment to cycling on main roads and to increase this commitment to $10m a year.

Key tasks for 2004:

• Ensure significant improvements to critical gaps, especially into and through town centres
• Increase funding to $15m a year (currently $4m) to accelerate development of the network
• Ensure a state government commitment beyond 2003–04.

If you want to report a fault on the VicRoads network phone 13 11 70 or contact the closest VicRoads regional office.

N2 – Bicycle lanes on local roads (local government)

Especially important for children and families, cyclists need bicycle lanes on local roads for frequent, shorter trips to neighbours, shops and schools. Local governments are responsible for building the local road network.

Key tasks for 2004:

• Commit more councils to deliver a bicycle network on their local roads
• Each council must have a specific km target and a staged, funded program
• Improve our data on the progress of each council.

N3 – Shared Paths (Parks Victoria and local government)

Cyclists need shared off-road paths for safe, traffic free and often picturesque riding. Parks Victoria plays the lead role in developing Melbourne’s network of arterial shared paths: the Metropolitan Trail Network, whcih has been identified in Parks Victoria's open space strategy, 'Linking People and Places'.

Released in 2002, the strategy includes plans for a 1,200km long Melbourne-wide arterial trail network which links Melbourne’s open spaces, foreshore areas and waterways. 

See link to the General Manager's message (right) for an update on the MTN and government spending on the project as of October 2003.

Some of the projects that Bicycle Network Victoria sees as high priorities are:

• the Bay Trail at Brighton Baths. See link (below)
• the Capital City Trail on the north bank of the Yarra River from Princes Bridge to Charles Grimes Bridge and Docklands (Melway Map Ref 43 D10 to J9)
• the re-routing of the Yarra Trail in Collingwood to the right bank from Gipps St to the Walmer St bridge (Melway Map Ref 44 F6 to H7). This would eliminate three sets of stairs, two bridge crossings and a significant hill
• Connecting the Darebin Creek Trail to the Yarra Trail in Kew.

Important new arterial paths include the Kororoit and Skeleton Ck paths linking the Bay Trail to the Federation Trail in Melbourne’s west (Melway 53 and 54).

Local councils are responsible for local paths, sometimes with the help of funding from state government such as Dept of Sport and Recreation.

Key tasks for 2004:

• To raise Parks Victoria’s regular annual commitment to the Metropolitan Trail Network to $5m, matched by local councils. Currently there is no funding for the Metropolitan Trail Network
• To raise the Department of Sport and Recreation’s contribution to $3m annually, especially in regional Victoria
• To commit three-quarters of local councils to achieving a specific km target through staged, funded programs.

N4 – Tourism and Rail Trails (Dept Sustainability & Environment)

Cyclists need rail trails for safe, traffic-free riding especially in regional areas along disused rail lines. Our aim is for the government to run a program to turn around 1,500km of the 3,000km of disused rail lines into recreational trails.

Key tasks for 2004:

• To commit the Victorian Government to a vision for rail trails that preserves appropriate disused rail land for future trails and prioritises rail trail development
• To commit the Victorian Government to $1m per year to allow rail trail committees to make steady progress on their trails
• To win substantial additional grant funding for specific projects
• To communicate the economic, health and recreation benefits of rail trails to all Victorians.