Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

VicRoads changes its stripes on Livingstone Rd

4 April 2013. VicRoads has taken the opportunity of a re-sheeting on Livingstone Road in Ivanhoe to install bikes lanes on this popular route.

The move is very welcome and signals a preparedness to ensure that bike lanes are considered as part of every re-sheeting project, the most cost-effective time to install new lanes.

Livingstone Road has long been a popular commuter route as riders work their way along Oriel Road from the north, heading for either the Darebin Creek Trail, Victoria Street's bike lanes, or the popular Wingrove Crescent on their way to the inner Melbourne zone.

This section of Livingstone Road has long been a concern to riders due to the combination of its extreme width, despite only being only one vehicle lane in each direction and the fact that it is going through a cutting towards Darebin Creek.

The extreme width of the traffic lane encourages high vehicle speeds, which in turn discourages bike use.

It is puzzling why VicRoads did not follow favoured contemporary practice and trim the 4 metre wide vehicle lane by making the bike lane wider than its 1.5m kerbside width. The addition of a 60cm Chevron would not be unreasonable and have no impact upon vehicular traffic whilst improving the safety for riders.

Riders and local government alike should follow the lead of the City of Banyule, which was instrumental in getting these lanes installed, by ensuring that VicRoads universally considers bikes in every periodic re-sheeting project.

Now that Darebin Council has shown its support for bike lanes on Darebin Road just across the creek, and VicRoads has broken new ground with their internal processes, all that remains is for the Napthine Government to join the party and bring the Bike Budget Back.

We are certain that a project placing bike lanes along Darebin Road is designed and ready to go, and is a priority for VicRoads. All that is required is the merely waiting for the funding to finish the job.

With treasury currently sharpening their pencil over the 2013/14 budget now is the time to write and let the teasurer and Premier know that we expect better from the new leadership team and that they should Bring the Bike Budget Back!

Darebin Road bike lanes recede into distance

23 August 2012. The finger is pointing at the Baillieu Government over the failure to install the long-planned Darebin Road bike lanes to serve riders in Thornbury, Northcote and Ivanhoe.

Darebin Road is the latest project to get Blue Ribbons as our "Bring the Bike Budget Back' campaign highlights the latest projectssitting idle awaiting Baillieu Government action.

Both Council and VicRoads want to see bike lanes on Darebin Road / Livingstone Street but the lack of funding has left riders wondering why such a simple project is sitting dormant.

You can write to the Baillieu Government to remind them of this blue ribbon opportunity.

 Election opportunity for candidates to show support

15 August 2012 Bicycle Network Victoria has identified this project as a local council priority for the 2012 Local Government election.

Candidates should be ready to support the development and full or partial funding of this project in conjunction with State Government and can tell riders in their Council area their position by posting their candidates' statement at VoteBike.

On the agenda

1 August 2012 After Bicycle Network Victoria members successfully campaigned Darebin City Council in support of bike lanes along Darebin Road council has committed to:

• Write to VicRoads to request construction of a cycle lane on Darebin Road west of Station Street
• Review the feasibility and priority of constructing a shared path on Darebin Road east of Station Street with the Darebin Bicycle Advisory Committee and as part of the Darebin Cycling Strategy Review.

At this stage council has deemed that improvements to other routes offer greater value for money for Darebin bike riders and potential bike riders.
To explore the feasibility of this and other projects, Darebin City Council have established the Darebin Bicycle Advisory Committee.

As Darebin City Council develop the Darebin Cycling Strategy 2012-2017 it is important local riders keep the pressure on council to follow through with their proposed actions.

An easy, pain-free win for Darebin Council

1 March 2010 Bicycle Network Victoria is calling on the riding community of Darebin to encourage Council to put bike lanes on Darebin Rd, between High and Station Streets. The current configuration allows one vehicle lane in the middle. The second vehicle lane is redundant due to the high level of on-street full time parking already in place. Formalising the default space betwen the parked cars and the traffic lane would be no different to what locals already enjoy on nearby Victoria Road which is the same dimensions (pictured, right).

You can help get this project by showing your support. Click here and tell Council that the residents of Darebin want this bike lane. Remember to be positive and let them know you are a Darebin Resident.

Transport link needs to be made

July 2010 Darebin Rd and Livingstone St represents a viable east-west route for commuting riders. There are a variety of bicycle facilities which could be accommodated along this route. With the addition of peak hour clearways the most practical today may be simply kerb side clearway bike lanes to service riders in the peak.

As illustrated below, a bike lane (indicated in red) could be put in at low cost and with no loss to traffic volumes nor resident amenity by taking advantage of the unused space between the parked cars and the central vehicle lane.

Current layout

Proposed layout

The challenging section between Station St and the Creek can be achieved with an off road path along the north side (refer yellow line on map below). This would also help the riders coming down the Darebin Creek Trail.

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View North: Darebin Rd in a larger map