A win for active transport: St Kilda Rd bike lanes now complete 

Cyclists can travel safely all the way from St Kilda Junction to the CBD now that the final section of separated bike lanes on St Kilda Rd between Dorcas St and Toorak Rd is finished.  

Once one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads for cyclists and pedestrians, the thoroughfare has seen a 220 per cent increase in cyclists since the opening of separated bike lanes between Linlithgow Avenue and Dorcas St, as well as those along Toorak and Charnwood roads in 2023. 

“These bike lanes are already improving travel safety on St Kilda Rd by physically separating drivers and cyclists,” Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Dipal Sorathia said. 

Other safety features of the project include cyclist hook turns, coloured bike lane surfacing and priority movement for cyclists at traffic light intersections.

The state government committed $30.5 million to the project in 2022 after decades of advocacy from cycling groups. 

“First, we just wanted a simple bike lane, then we got them made wider, then with green surface treatment – every extra step with more separation from traffic attracted more riders,” Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack said. 

“Now with physical separation the whole way to the city we hope to see more riders than ever, getting healthy and doing their bit for the planet and the household budget.”

The new section of bike lanes on St Kilda Rd is part of the Metro Tunnel Project. Anzac Station is set to have 120 bike parking stations when it opens next year, allowing cyclists to connect to train services on the new Cranbourne/Pakenham to Sunbury line. 

“This considerable investment in our inner-city cycling network will boost active transport and help to reduce traffic congestion,” Metro Tunnel executive project director Ben Ryan said. 

When travelling on St Kilda Rd, drivers must indicate and give way to cyclists when turning left through an intersection and look both ways and give way to cyclists before entering and exiting driveways. 

Cyclists can also ensure their safety by using hand signals to indicate when they are going to turn or change direction, stopping at red lights and stop signs, and slowing down, and giving way to vehicles already indicating and turning left.

Bicycle Network is continuing to advocate for better cycling infrastructure in Southbank and South Melbourne, particularly near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Clarendon St - a state managed road - and the Domain Precinct around Park and Dorcas streets. 

“With the increased residential densities coming to Southbank and the new residential precincts close to the city in South Melbourne, the cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip urgently need to further deliver on their plans for better active transport facilities in these inner southern suburbs," Ms McCormack said. 

City of Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo said the council recognised that with more people living, working and visiting Southbank, "it was important for the suburb to be a safer and more attractive place to ride a bike". 

"As part of our recently endorsed South Melbourne Structure Plan, we’re seeking to provide attractive and safe pedestrian and cycling networks that connects key destinations and strategic corridors," Cr Cunsolo said.

"This includes designing bike riding infrastructure to ensure South Melbourne is accessible for cyclists of all ages and abilities, not just experienced riders. We will continue to investigate opportunities to enhance cycling protection at all intersections and key cycling routes in South Melbourne.

"Our Integrated Transport Strategy commits to delivering a range of interventions to build a network of connected, safe riding options for bike riders of all ages and abilities. This includes continuing to explore opportunities for the provision of protected bike lanes in Port Phillip."

Construction of permanent bike lanes is also due to begin in 2025 as part of the Park Street Streetscape Improvement Project, and the Mayor added that Dorcas St, connecting with Nelson Rd and Foote St, had also been "identified as a location for a proposed bike riding improvement opportunity to connect Kings Way to Port Melbourne Beach". •