Bicycle paths in Melbourne

Off-road bicycle paths have existed in Melbourne for many decades. The first designations as 'shared user paths' (SUPs) - or 'shared footways' - began in the 1970s following extensive lobbying by Bicycle Victoria and its founder Keith Dunstan.

What is today known as the Main Yarra Trail was built in the late 1970s as part of this work, although not to the full original plans. Its route ended at the MacRobertson Bridge rather than continue along the Yarra River to Hawthorn.{{cite news |title=Dixon looks at new bicycle path scheme |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yuBUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4 |access-date=11 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=13 January 1976}} Other suburban paths, such as the Blind Creek Trail and Maribyrnong River Trail, were built and subsequently expanded through to the 1980s by the Ministry of Transport under the State Bicycle Committee - a dedicated group to advocate for and plan for cycling in Victoria.{{cite news |last1=Peace |first1=Ray |title=Knocking About Knox by Bike |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pDdVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA28 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=16 July 1982}}

In 1976, the Ministry of Transport under Minister Brian Dixon developed Victoria's first statewide bicycle strategy. This later included the 'Melbourne Bikeway Plan' published in 1981 that planned for a network of bicycle paths and routes that mostly focused on off-road paths and trails.{{cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Brian |title=Pushing ahead with bicycle paths |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z-BUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=20 January 1976}}{{cite web |title=Melbourne for bikes : the final report of the Melbourne Bikeplan / [State Bicycle Committee] - Catalogue {{!}} National Library of Australia |url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/2259240 |website=catalogue.nla.gov.au |access-date=12 August 2024 |language=en}} This Plan delivered sections of the:

• Main Yarra Trail
• Merri Creek Trail
• Gardiners Creek Trail
• Scotchmans Creek Trail
• Moonee Ponds Creek Trail
• Blind Creek Trail
• Bay Trail{{cite news |last1=Dunstan |first1=Keith |title=At last - the bicycle revolution has arrived |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9SYzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=4 August 1986}}

The system set up in these plans continued a programme whereby the State Government would provide funding to local governments to design and construct new bicycle paths. Many new and upgraded trails were built in this period using this method.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Simon |title=Government to spend $1m on bike facilities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gDlVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=1 January 1985}}

In 1988, the State Bicycle Committee was abolished and subsequently absorbed into the newly created Victorian Roads Corporation.{{cite news |last1=Stephens |first1=Andrew |title=More bike paths planned for Victoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMlUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA40 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Age |date=11 August 1989}}

In 2006, VicRoads installed bicycle counters on the trails at 17 locations throughout inner Melbourne.{{cite web

|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.bigyak.net.au/vicbiketrails/kml/vrcounters.kml

|title=VicRoads bicycle counters - Google Maps

|publisher=Google Maps

|accessdate=2008-07-14

}} These counters provide data on the usage of Melbourne's trails. For example, the Anniversary Outer Circle Trail at Cotham Rd, Kew, has about 20 cyclists per hour throughout the day, whereas the Yarra River Trail, on the north side of Morell Bridge, has a distinct peak hour rate of about 250/hr but only 50/hr in non-peak periods.{{cite web|url=http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/BicyclesPedestrians/DevelopingBicycleNetworks/CyclingDataAndStatistics.htm |title=VicRoads: Cycling Data and Statistics |publisher=www.vicroads.vic.gov.au |accessdate=2008-07-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429191010/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/BicyclesPedestrians/DevelopingBicycleNetworks/CyclingDataAndStatistics.htm |archivedate=April 29, 2008 }}{{cite news

|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/have-helmet-bell-two-wheels-151-will-commute/2006/03/11/1141701735302.html

|title=Have helmet, bell, two wheels — will commute

|work=The Age

|date=March 12, 2006

|publisher=www.theage.com.au

|accessdate=2008-07-14

|location=Melbourne

|first=Clay

|last=Lucas

}} This supports the observation that the former is used mainly for recreation and the latter for recreation and commuting.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2016|reason=Google Streetview shows bike symbols on the shoulder of Deer Park bypass, no separate path}}

A number of freeways have been constructed with separate bicycle paths built alongside, including Eastlink, the Deer Park Bypass, and the Metropolitan Ring Road. However, the CityLink tollway system has no provision for cyclists along several sections, including the Bolte Bridge. Cyclists are also excluded from riding the West Gate Freeway over the West Gate Bridge, although exceptions are made for some special bicycle events like Around the Bay in a Day organised by Bicycle Network.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Responsibility for planning and maintenance is split between various State Government authorities and local councils.{{cite book |title=Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018-2028 |date=14 September 2022 |publisher=Department of Transport |url=https://transport.vic.gov.au/getting-around/walking-and-cycling |access-date=14 September 2022}} With the increased recognition from all levels of government of the benefits of cycling, Melbourne today has a network of shared bicycle trails which have developed over time along its river and creek systems and alongside freeways and railways.[https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/cycling/bicycle-route-maps/ VicRoads - Bicycle Route Maps][http://www.bigyak.net.au/trails/biketrails.html Melbourne and Geelong's shared paths in Google Maps]{{Cite web |url=http://www.bigyak.net.au/bike/bike.html#melgel |title=Melbourne and Geelong's shared paths in Google Earth |access-date=3 January 2009 |archive-date=12 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012073245/http://www.bigyak.net.au/bike/bike.html#melgel |url-status=dead }}

In December 2008, the Victorian State Government released their Victorian Transport Plan which budgeted $100 million for cycling over 12 years. In 2009, the Victorian Cycling Strategy was also released, however, the Victorian Auditor-General reviewed this Strategy in 2012 and found there had been almost no progress on the items in the plan, which included more cycle lanes and junction treatments, and that it had been sidelined by the new Liberal government.http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2011/08/20/is-the-auditor-general-on-track-with-cycling/ Alan Davies in Crikey In 2012 there was opposition from cyclists following the cancellation of most cycling projects from the State budget, with protests organised by Bicycle Network Victoria.{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-put-under-the-pump-on-cycling-budget-20120722-22ic7.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Baillieu put under the pump on cycling budget}}

The Parks Victoria recommends expanding the trails.{{Cite web |url=http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/09_0714.pdf |title=Linking People and Spaces (2002) |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005062508/http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/09_0714.pdf |archive-date=2007-10-05 |url-status=dead }}

Development of the network is slowed by the number of agencies that may be involved when a new path is proposed. Such agencies could include VicRoads, VicTrack, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and the local Councils. The network is fragmented along Council boundaries. Some examples are:

• St Georges Rd Trail at the boundary of Darebin and Whittlesea
• Gardiners Creek gap at the boundary of Boroondara, Stonnington and Monash
• Termination of the East Malvern Station to Centre Rd Trail at the boundary of Monash and Kingston

• Cycling in Melbourne
• Cycling in Victoria
• :Category:Bike paths in Melbourne
• :Category:Rail trails in Australia

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.bikepaths.com.au Bike Paths & Rail Trails Guide]
• [https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media/files/formsandpublications/traffic-and-road-use/principalbicyclenetworkandbicyclepriorityroutesfactsheet.pdf?la=en The Principal Bicycle Network (PBN)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061112014346/http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/14/region/1/srchkey/ Melbourne bike routes @ bikely.com]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100707030609/http://bicyclingaustralia.com/wheretoride Where to Ride Melbourne cycling guide book]
• [https://melbournebiketrails.yolasite.com/ Melbourne Bike Trails]

{{Bicycle Trails in Melbourne}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bike Paths In Melbourne}}

Category:Cycling in Melbourne