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A safer St Kilda Rd

A safer St Kilda Rd

By Jacklyn Yeong

New bike lanes separating drivers and cyclists will be installed on St Kilda Rd under a re-elected Andrews Labor Government.

Statistics show 196 crashes were reported involving a pedestrian or cyclist between 2000 to 2015. St Kilda Rd also had the highest number of “car-doorings” reported anywhere in the state.

Physically separating drivers and cyclists travelling on St Kilda Rd will benefit more than 300,000 people who use the busiest tram and cycle route in Melbourne every day.

Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss, who strongly advocated the safety improvement, expressed her council’s support of the state government’s election commitment.

“Bike riding helps reduce traffic congestion, increase travel choices and has big health benefits,” Cr Voss said. “Offering better protection benefits existing users and is likely to encourage less confident riders to jump on their bikes.”

The design implemented will be a combination of Copenhagen-style bike lanes with physical barriers separating cyclists from both parked cars and the road as well as a central safety zone that will provide a separated lane for cyclists in the middle of the road while the outer lanes are reserved for vehicles.

Copenhagen-style bike lanes will be built south of St Kilda Junction from Carlisle St while the central safety zone will be built north of the junction to Linlithgow Ave.

Local MP Martin Foley was also pleased with the improvement works to St Kilda Rd.

“This is a welcome announcement for bike riders, pedestrian public transport users and motorists alike, ensuring this busy road is safer for everyone, all the way from St Kilda Town Hall to the NGV,” he said.

The project is expected to finish by the time the Domain precinct reopens after Metro Tunnel works are completed in 2025.

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