As governments across the country are grapple with ways to reduce the road toll, new research suggests that building more protected bike lanes may just do the trick.
Newsroom
for
May 2019
Truckies and bike riders set to swap seats
Melbourne bike riders are being given the chance to see the road from a truck driver’s point of view at a special event hosted by Bicycle Network and Rail Projects Victoria.
Bike education boost for Mildura students
Mildura Specialist School is the latest lucky recipient of a Ride2School grant, which will be put towards a bike education program for students.
Been wronged? You can fight a fine.
Two different riders in Melbourne were given unreasonable fines by police but had a good result in court. If you've also been wronged you can get support.
Great arses not tight arses
Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards takes a unique slant on why some people might hate bike riders.
More Great Vic alumni gold
Australian sprint cycling champion Caitlin Ward has added her name to the growing list of Aussie superstars who cut their teeth on the Great Vic Bike Ride.
Victorian budget: what’s in it for bikes?
The Victorian Budget talks a big transport game, but doesn't walk the walk when it comes to proper change.
St Kilda Road fix in the budget
The Victorian State Government today announced that they will come good on an election promise to build bike lanes on St Kilda Road with $27 million committed in the 2019/20 budget.
Changes to West Footscray station path
Riders that use the shared path across the railway line within West Footscray station will notice changed conditions on the overpass for the rest of the year.
Sydney’s new Metro: have bikes been underestimated?
The first stage of the new Sydney Metro opens this Sunday, but one resident has outlined his concerns that active travel and micromobility have been overlooked.
Drivers break more road rules than riders
A new study out of Denmark shows that only 5 per cent of bike riders are breaking road rules while driving, compared to 66 per cent of drivers who are doing so.
Ridiculous footpath laws force toddlers into traffic
A recent question from a member regarding riding on the footpath with a child in a child seat has revealed a dangerous loophole in the already silly Victorian laws.
Across the ditch in search of greatness
Bicycle Network's search for great bike riding escapes has taken us to some amazing locations, but perhaps none as breathtaking as New Zealand.
Drivers will block texts, not calls
New research shows that drivers may be willing to use phone apps that block the most distractions, but still want to be able to chat in hands free mode.
Recall: e-bike battery flame out
A battery fitted to some eZeebike e-bikes has been recalled as it can catch fire during re-charging. The product was sold from 1 April 2016 until 30 June 2018.
Chandler Highway bridge conversion starts
Work has started on converting the heritage Chandler Highway bridge into a new bike and pedestrian crossing of the Yarra River.
Wellington Parade closure looms
The M41 Water Main Renewal Project will commence construction at the Wellington Parade and Clarendon Street intersection, from Tuesday 11 June, disrupting bike routes.
Riders, take care on Cardigan and Elgin
The City of Melbourne is improving the footpath and kerbing on the north side of Elgin Street in Carlton, impacting riders for 10 days, starting Monday 27 May.
Escape to the red centre
Missed our first outback adventure? Bicycle Network General Manager, Public Affairs Anthea Hargreaves recaps the first Great Outback Escape.
Tassie Bike News Bites
A roundup of news bites for bike riders, including a pump track at Railton, West Tamar Hwy changes, new Kingborough tracks map, and St Helens tracks.
Greater Hobart councils work on transport
The Greater Hobart Bill has passed the Tasmanian House of Assembly and is on its way to the Legislative Council, with better collaboration on transport planning a key element of the bill.
North East Rail Trail inquiry nears end of line
Bicycle Network appeared at a Legislative Council inquiry hearing on Monday to support the case for extension of the North East Rail Trail from Scottsdale to Lilydale Falls.
School drop-offs driving pollution hotspots
The health impacts of the daily school drop-offs and pick-up have become so severe in England that driving children to school could be banned, or severely restricted.
Railton Sheffield rail trail blocked by fence
The Railton Sheffield rail trail has been blocked by a local farmer who has built a fence across the trail near Johnson Street in Sheffield.
What the election result means for bikes
Australia is headed for three more years of a coalition government. What improvements for bike riding can we expect between now and 2022?
Bonnet Hill widening wins tick of approval
We received a letter today from the Bonnet Hill Community Association thanking Bicycle Network and Cycling South for the all work that went into getting funding and support for the widening of Channel Highway through Bonnet Hill.
Ride2School Day stats roll in
The stats from National Ride2School Day are in and it was our biggest one yet! See how many schools and students around the country got involved in 2019.
Radical changes to Elizabeth Street proposed
A new design for Elizabeth Street will prioritise bikes, pedestrians and trams in the heart of the Melbourne CBD.
Have you seen this bike?
One of Bicycle Network's election campaign bikes has gone missing, with no information about where it might be.
Bike lane blockage ahead for La Trobe St
Work on Metro Tunnel will soon close the eastbound La Trobe Street bike lane for a month. The good news is that the detour will be a quick and simple one.
Baxter to Somerville bike path funded
A Coalition Government will invest $2M to deliver the ‘missing link’ shared pedestrian and bike path between Somerville and Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula.
Licenses suspended for NSW drink and drug drivers
New South Wales will change the way they enforce drink and drug driving, while Victorian figures show ice is involved in more fatal crashes the alcohol.
Plans to mend Sydney’s State-Council cycling rift
NSW Public Space Minister Rob Stokes is keen to resolve friction between state government and City of Sydney over cycleways, and use public space to promote bike riding.
Phone distraction: less yakking, but more fiddling
A comparative study from 2014 to 2018 found a 57 per cent increase in driver distraction due to manipulating a mobile phone in the hand.
Greens pledge $1 billion for bikes
The Australian Greens have pledged $1 billion in funding over four years to help make it easier and safer for more people to ride bikes across the country.
Exercise keeps the flab behind you
New study suggests continued exercise, rather than chronic restriction of diet, is key to stopping previously obese people from regaining weight they've lost.
Cargo bikes deliver better health
A new initiative in London aims to switch 15 per cent of city deliveries to cargo bikes, in a bid to save up to 450 lives and £10 million per year.
Work starts on Monash connection
Works have started on an important bike path link along Forster Road in Mount Waverley, that will help connect riders to Monash University.
Jewell Station detour change
From Wednesday 15 May the Jewell Station redevelopment will divert the shared path in Upfield via the western side of the station, through Watson Street.
Tassie Bike News Bites
Short news bites from around Tasmania including buses to Derby, Huon Valley recreational plan, Tasman Bridge accidents, Shredding Betties launch as club and Hobart Council news.
Celebrate volunteer week, visit Mac Point
It’s Volunteer Week on 20–26 May and we’ll be celebrating with a drink and nibbles on Hobart’s waterfront following the Macquarie Point Open Day on Saturday 25 May.
Exhibition Street upgrade a big win for bike riders
City of Melbourne is set to proceed with the major redesign of Exhibition Street that will see Copenhagen-style bike lanes built.
Older riders a growing injury problem
The good news is that older people are riding bikes more to stay active and healthy. The bad news is that they are crashing their way into hospitals at a growing rate.
Loop between picture perfect Tassie towns
The North-West Riders Group is taking in Penguin and Ulverstone on Sunday 26 May from 11 am, and we'll be providing bike valet parking at the football in Hobart on 18 May.
Drive so that others survive
Drivers are being encouraged to lead the way and make a pledge ‘to drive so that others survive’ as part of National Road Safety Week.
ACT drivers are keeping their distance
Motorists in the ACT are generally giving people who ride bikes enough distance when passing, however compliance decreases on high speed roads and highways.
Labor to fund Hurstbridge line link
Federal Labor has undertaken to fund a new bike path from Greensborough to Montmorency if it forms government after this months election.
Driving to work is killing you
Being obese combined with car commuting has been associated with a 32% higher risk of premature death, reports a recent study from British Heart Foundation.
First look at Melbourne transport plan
City of Melbourne released a draft of its new transport strategy yesterday afternoon and it includes a number of bike friendly plans.
Cycling cracks top five in Australia’s most popular sports
The latest Sports Australia data has bike riding in the top 5 participation sports and physical activities in Australia, but warns more work is needed to combat an inactivity crisis.
$6.2m for Parramatta bike links and vegetation
If elected, a Shorten Labor Government will invest $6.2 million in Parramatta to improve access and safety for people to ride and walk.
Belmont bike lane gets the go ahead
Geelong’s most controversial bike lane has been given the go ahead following a council meeting last night.