By Mark Naughton 

The new pop-up bike lane infrastructure installed across inner suburban Melbourne is failing to keep cyclists safer and in many places is putting them in greater danger, a new study shows. See report attached below. 

The independent review of the program in the Port Phillip local government area, part of a $13m road safety scheme across four zones in Melbourne, is scathing in its assessment of the rollout, recommending the lanes be removed or significantly modified. 

 “The vast majority of the pop-up bike lane infrastructure either offers limited benefit for cyclists or results in an increased risk to road users including both motorists and cyclists,” the report by leading consultants Traffix Group concludes. 

 The report, commissioned by a group of concerned Port Phillip residents, raises significant red flags about how cars and cyclists can co-exist on key stretches of road where the new lanes have been installed.

 Along Marine Parade, for instance, the pop-up bike lanes are applied inconsistently, leading to traffic uncertainty. 

 “The treatment has caused confusion for some motorists, with the community reporting instances of vehicles driving in the separated bicycle lane,” it says.

 The report warns that motorists are unclear about how to turn left across the new bike lanes. 

 “This is likely to increase the risk of collisions as left turning motorists will be unaware of cyclists approaching from behind them,” the report says.

 The report also notes an existing bike path completely separated from Marine Parade traffic has already been in place for many years, raising questions about why new infrastructure is needed.

 Overall, it recommends “the majority of the temporary treatments should either be removed or significantly modified.”

 Mark Naughton, a spokesperson for the Port Phillip residents’ group who commissioned the report, said the State government and local authorities who jointly funded the scheme should heed the expert advice and start again.

 “The lanes are doing the exact opposite of what they are supposed to. It’s wasting taxpayer and ratepayer money, and worse than that it is unnecessarily putting lives in danger,” he said. 

 “The devices installed are confusing for both motorists and cyclists and will increase conflict between bikes and cars. They exacerbate traffic congestion and will inevitably lead to more cycling accidents and injuries.

 There was no community consultation on this before the pop-up bike lanes were installed. What is the problem they are trying to solve here? We’re not sure, no one can articulate what the problem is.”

Readers could request a copy by sending an email to mail@ropp.org.au