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Call for bike riders to support Shrine to Sea
Feedback on the state government’s Shrine to Sea masterplan is open until 10 September and Bicycle Network is calling bike riders and active transport enthusiasts to ask that all eight sections include a separated bike lane.

Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack told The Age this week that the dropping the Shrine to Sea separated bike path on Kerferd Road was “a backwards step when other cities around the world are forging ahead with high-quality bike infrastructure and seeing tremendous success”.

“The City of Port Phillip’s decision to abandon the separated bike lane for the Shrine to Sea project was extremely disappointing, particularly as it was their own plan and endorsed by their officers.

“Peak bodies support the construction and investment in protected bike lanes and provide evidence as to why more bike lanes should be constructed and what is in it for everyone,” McCormack says.

“A proper investment plan would always have one project in planning, one in design and one in construction. Instead, bike projects have been stop-start and disjointed and delayed.

“Australia has fallen behind the rest of the world and it is time to act. Something different needs to be done if we are going to increase the shift to active transport.”
 
The Age article this week reported that state government surveys had found around 60 per cent of Victorians were interested in cycling as a form of transport but were afraid to ride alongside motor vehicle traffic.

RACV’s head of policy James Williams told The Age: “From our perspective ... (bike riding is) healthier, it’s more sustainable, it’s affordable, it’s better for your wellbeing,” he said. “But for everyone else on the road ... it’s one less car, it’s reducing congestion and it’s better for everyone.”

Infrastructure Victoria CEO Jonathan Spear said: “200,000 short car or public transport trips in Melbourne every day could be walked or cycled instead, which would ease congestion on local roads and crowding on public transport.”

McCormack said the survey required time and attention and called on bike riders to provide feedback on all eight sections of the masterplan and demand that the separated bike lanes to be included.
 
You can provide feedback on the survey here: https://engage.vic.gov.au/shrinetosea
 

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