Melbourne to ‘increase non-car road space’ over 10 years

The Australian city of Melbourne is proposing a 10-year plan to deliver more space for pedestrians, public transport users and cyclists.
November 5, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The plan will seek to create more than 50km of protected on-road bicycle lanes and establish pedestrian shared priority zones with lower speed limits.

Sally Capp, lord mayor of Melbourne, says: "The strategy, to be considered by councillors, aims to upgrade public space and amenity around major public transport hubs, increase space and accessibility for pedestrians and boost bicycle safety with dedicated bike lanes."

Over the next four years, protected bike lanes will be introduced on Exhibition Street, Latrobe Street Bridge and Rathdowne Street.

Other key projects include adding 300 new on-street motorcycle parking spaces and working with the Victorian Government to deliver consistent 40 km/h vehicle speed limits across the municipality.

Councillor Nicolas Frances Gilley, chair of the transport portfolio, says inconsistent speed zones on local streets within the municipality - as well as neighbouring ones - is a challenge for drivers.

"Parkville, Yarra's Edge and other city fringe suburbs are all built-up areas with schools, shops, parks and lots of pedestrians and cyclists,” he continues. “By bringing them into line with 40km/h it would be much simpler for motorists, will avoid dangerous sudden stoppages and be much safer for people walking and riding bikes.”

A collaboration with the Victorian government will review traffic signal timing to reduce delays for people using the network, including those using trams, buses and bikes.

Additionally, the council is hoping to lower the speed limits for some ‘little streets’ to 10km/h to improve safety for people walking in the city centre.

Authorities will also continue to advocate for a tram extension to Fishermans Bend to aid the development of the area and for the Melbourne Metro 2 rail link as a priority infrastructure rail link for west and north parts of the city.

Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • Cubic’s holistic view of traffic management
    May 25, 2022
    How can cities and transit agencies ease congested roadways? Andy Taylor of Cubic Transportation Systems suggests it would help to take a more holistic view of the problem
    Read More
  • Sprawl spreads the costs and confines the benefits
    June 8, 2015
    A new report says car-centric planning leads to inefficient cities and divided communities as lead author Todd Litman explains. Between 1950 and 2050 the human population will have approximately quadrupled and shifted from 80% rural to nearly 80% urban; by the middle of this century the United Nations predicts an additional 2.2 billion urban residents in developing countries than there are today. How these cities grow has huge economic, social and environmental impacts and implementing proper policies can c
    Read More
  • Sprawl spreads the costs and confines the benefits
    June 8, 2015
    A new report says car-centric planning leads to inefficient cities and divided communities as lead author Todd Litman explains. Between 1950 and 2050 the human population will have approximately quadrupled and shifted from 80% rural to nearly 80% urban; by the middle of this century the United Nations predicts an additional 2.2 billion urban residents in developing countries than there are today. How these cities grow has huge economic, social and environmental impacts and implementing proper policies can c
    Read More
  • City of Liverpool relies on thermal imaging to boost cycling
    April 22, 2016
    In an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage cycling, the city of Liverpool in the UK has installed Flir’s thermal imaging technology to give cyclists a head start at two busy intersections and make cycling safer. The City is keen to make cycling easier and more convenient in the city and plans to invest in the creation of a network of safe cycle routes, improvements in safety training and enforcement, and ensuring that cycling is included in council policies.
    Read More

Highlighted Content