City of Melbourne considers pausing bike lane rollout amid backlash

The City of Melbourne is considering halting its rollout of new bike lanes after backlash from traders, motorists and the transport union.

The Transport Workers Union is calling on the council to wind back the bike lane rollout and increase the number of loading zones in the CBD.

Branch secretary of the Transport Workers Union Victoria & Tasmania, Mike McNess, says there are now too few loading zones.

He says Exhibition Street, in particular, is a problem.

“Obviously we’re going through a process where everyone wants to rebuild and reinvigorate activity in the CBD, but that goes for deliveries in the retailers as well,” Mr McNess told Ross and Russel.

“We understand the nature of bicycle lanes and the role for bicycle riders and so forth, but it is a big issue for consultation, something that we should be sitting down and working out.

“We want to make sure the retailers are serviced, that couriers, delivery drivers, rideshare, gig economy workers have all got access to these roads.”

The City of Melbourne has this morning released a statement saying it will “consider pausing the bike lane rollout in the Hoddle Grid over the coming year, instead prioritising bike lane upgrades on popular corridors into the city — including Arden Street, Macaulay Road and Royal Parade”.

Lord mayor Sally Capp says if the city does pause the rollout it is still on track to meet its targets for its protected bike lane program under its Transport Strategy 2030, which will see more than 40km of new protected bike lanes built.

Press PLAY below to hear what the Transport Workers Union wants to see happen