A puzzling Transport Department update on the glass causing punctures in bike lanes

The Department of Transport denies the glass which caused tyre punctures on Beach Road at the weekend was material used in the construction of bike lanes, but says it’s “not uncommon” for green residue to blanket roads after new bike lanes are laid.

Executive director of Active Transport at the Department of Transport, Alan Fedda, says he’s been “told by the manufacturer” the shards found on the road were not from the green bike lanes.

“We did find glass — that glass was clear glass as well as green glass which were shards which were different to the size and the material that the actual installation uses,” he told Neil Mitchell.

NEIL MITCHELL: “Are you confident these punctures have not been caused by the bike lanes? You’ve got assurances, but are you independently confident those assurances are accurate?”

MR FEDDA: “We are confident that what we’ve been told is that the glass that’s been found that has caused the punctures are different.”

NEIL MITCHELL: “I know you’ve been told that but are you confident it’s correct?

MR FEDDA: “Well Neil, we are confident but we’re continuing to work through the process to make sure we have the full understanding of the root cause so we don’t see this anywhere else in the network.”

Mr Fedda says it’s “not uncommon” for green residue to be seen on the road during the first week after bike lanes are rolled out because the resin in them hasn’t set properly yet.

He says such areas are regularly swept and the Department of Transport swept affected bike lanes in St Kilda after being alerted to a spike in punctures.

Mr Fedda says he’s not received any further puncture reports since the bike lanes were cleaned.

Press PLAY below to hear the puzzling update on the bike lane glass