Bicycle Network: Better Transport
A sneaky bike ban option added to review
1 April Last night the Melbourne City Council launched a public consultation into the possible future layout of Swanston Street. They have snuck in an additional option which 'which would consider re-allocating bikes from Swanston Street to an alternative route'
Councillors were briefed as follows:
'In January and February 2009, a series of design meetings were held with stakeholders with an involvement in the future of Swanston Street. From these initial meetings, six options have been developed for the future use of the Street. The implementation of each option is technically possible.'
Bicycle Network Victoria attended these meetings.
The 're-allocate bikes' option was not brought up at any time in these meetings.
The 're-allocate bikes' option first surfaced as a comment by City Projects Director Rob Adams at the press conference to launch the six options. It is unclear why he chose to raise the idea at that time. It was certainly not endorsed by the stakeholders, raised by any of the Councillors in their election campaigns or brought up by any of the City of Melbourne staff at the design meetings.
The 're-allocate bikes' option has now been included in the $60 000 public consultation that will now occur.
Having made a mockery of the first round of consultation and sprung a surprise new anti-bike option after the consultation has finished, it is unclear to us why we should have any confidence in the next round.