Bicycle Network: Metro Routes
Inner: Napier
The Napier Street route runs from St George's Road in North Fitzroy to Victoria Parade near the Catholic University.
Napier Street route diverted
18 April 2013. The path through Smith Reserve near Fitzroy Pool, which links to the busy Napier Street route, will be closed next week when the path is widened.
Southbound riders and pedestrians should head west along Alexandra Parade, turn left into Young Street and then left again into Westgarth Street.
Northbound cyclists and pedestrians on Napier Street should head west along Cecil Street from the park, turn right into Young Street and then right again at Alexandra Parade.
The path will be re-opened the following week.
Survey results positive on Napier
18 September 2009. Some 55% of respondents said that they are riding along Napier Street more often now that the bike signals at Johnston Street are operating.
In the survey of riders, undertaken during August 2009, 97.6% of respondents rated the Napier/Johnston intersection as ‘better’ or ‘much better’ now that the signals have been modified.
In response to: ‘Would you recommend other riders use the Napier Street bike route?’ 85.5% of riders gave a rating of 8 or above where 10 = ‘Yes I would highly recommend it.’
Tell us what you think
10 August 2009
The signals are now in. The rider numbers seemed to have gone up. We are part of the team evaluating these changes. Would you please complete this quick survey to help us understand what has worked and what has not. Your feedback will help us get similar projects up on other routes.
See 'Napier - the movie'
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A classic quiet back street route
4 May 2009
Works begin on the signals
3 April 2009. Here is the draft signal plan for the Napier Signals.
The signal plan shows the allocation of time in seconds to the different modes.
In the sample below, each mode has triggered the signals - a pedestrian has hit the button, a rider has pressed the rider button and a car is on top of the induction loop in the road.
The chart below shows a plan where the signals will go green for riders and walkers. Meanwhile, the drivers will wait for 10 seconds before they get a 6 second (three car) green phase.
This limited green time will make the route unattractive to drivers trying to avoid the signals on the main roads and stop the back streets becoming a rat run.
The long green time for riders and walkers will make this route a desirable one for these users.
Vancouver style signals
26 March 2009. After many years of lobbying for Vancouver style signals on back street bike routes we will shortly see the first set installed at the busy intersection with Johnston Street.
We are asking riders who use Napier Street to tell us how they feel about riding across this difficult intersection before the new signals go in.
The survey will only take five minutes and your responses will help us, and especially the government, understand the importance of projects like this.
Yes I ride Napier, I'll do the survey - (Survey closed Friday 3 April 2009)