Bicycle Network: Better Transport

To get a high performance commuter network we need to introduce some techniques that have proven effective in other places, including:

• More kerbside bike lanes. Bike riders in standard on-road bike lanes are vulnerable to the opening doors of parked cars. In fact, this is the most common cause of collisions in the inner city. Kerbside lanes solve that problem. If we provide a lane for bike riders between parked cars and the footpath, the parked cars will protect riders from the moving traffic. Sometimes kerbside lanes will be separated from moving traffic. (25)
• Cheaper and narrower separation. The Swanston St project was a Rolls Royce solution in terms of cost and space. The islands under the passenger doors take up a metre, but few streets have that space to spare. A cheap and simple alternative is to install wider bike lanes with tram separation kerbs to separate bikes from parked and moving cars.  (26)
• Developing off-road paths in road corridors. Off-road paths are particularly important for new riders to gain confidence and skills. We need to install them in road corridors wherever we can. There will be many opportunities in the middle suburbs for this solution. (27)
• Green lanes across intersections. The Danes found that this treatment cut collisions by 38% and reduced fatalities and serious injuries by 71%. (28)
• Vibrating or acoustic line markings. We are about to see some trials of the vibrating line marking currently used on rural roads. This should give drivers greater awareness of the bike lanes and will reassure riders. (29)
• Linking paths to separated on-road routes. There are some great opportunities to connect existing paths to the commuter network. (30) (31)
• Routes through the CBD. The bike network has to enable people to ride into and through the CBD. (11)
• ‘Vancouver’ style signals. In Vancouver they put in signals that allow bike riders and pedestrians to cross busy roads. Because motor vehicles from side streets don’t set off the signals, the local road does not become a ‘rat run’. (B)
• Early detection by signals. As the rider approaches a road crossing, they are detected by signals which change to green in time for them to keep riding over the road.
• ‘Montreal’ style ride over platforms. In Montreal they raise the bike route over the bus stop. This gives a disability access to the bus and protects the bike lane from motor vehicles. (C)
• Wombat crossings. These speed humps with zebra crossings on top are the best way to help riders on paths cross local roads. (D)
• ‘Danish’ style grade separation. A separate level for bike riders makes the bike route distinct from the footpath and road. (E)