By Charlene Gatt
CYCLISTS using Hyde St can now enjoy better on-road infrastructure after Maribyrnong City Council installed a green surface on the bike lanes.
The council has also installed 22 bike parking hoops at key locations across the municipality including community centres, libraries and shops as part of a $100,000 budget allocation towards bike projects.
The new green surface in the bike lanes, which has been added at selected intersections along Hyde St, will assist in making drivers more aware that they share the road with cyclists and of their presence.
Mayor John Cumming said the new installations served a dual purpose of providing additional safety and convenience for cyclists to encourage people to choose cycling as their form of transport particularly for local trips.
“Cycling is a healthy and inexpensive means of transport and is becoming increasingly popular.
The council is committed to making the City of Maribyrnong a safe, convenient place for people to cycle,” Cr Cumming said.
The improvements come just after cricketer Shane Warne got into an altercation with a Melbourne cyclist.
Maribyrnong City Council’s annual bike counts show an increase in the number of people choosing cycling as their means of transport.
“There are multiple benefits to cycling, not the least that it is healthy for you and a much cheaper alternative to running a car, but it is also a zero emissions means of transport and reduces the numbers of cars on our roads and car parks,” Cr Cumming said.
Bike paths and lanes on arterial roads in the municipality are developed and managed by VicRoads.
