Cyclists parking at Footscray railway station are being threatened with the removal of their bikes because of what they label a chronic shortage of official spaces.
Almost 15,000 passengers use the station every weekday, making it one of Melbourne’s busiest. But Regional Rail Link (RRL) works have required the removal of a bike locker and relocation of a number of bike parking hoops from Irving Street.
Footscray commuter Kathryn Healey, who cycles to the station, returned to her bike last week to find station staff had left a note threatening its removal.
“There were notes left on all the bikes,” she said. “There are just the two hoops here and they have nowhere else in the area for cyclists chaining their bike.”
Station staff told Ms Healey there would be no temporary arrangements made for cyclists ahead of planned improvements later in the year.
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland labelled two bike hoops for almost 15,000 passengers per day “an incredible oversight”. “There are so many benefits to getting people onto bicycles and out of cars; it reduces traffic congestion, takes pressure off parking, saves commuters money and is good for our health,” she said.
“But if there’s nowhere to park you’re not going to ride. RRL needs to immediately provide adequate bicycle parking.”
An RRL project spokeswoman said there had been no net loss of bicycle parking hoops at the station because of works.
“Due to site constraints, however, bicycle lockers that had been situated on Irving Street were removed and the bike hoops relocated elsewhere within the station precinct to make way for the forecourt, the new stairs and escalators.”
She said from now until next month, Parkiteer cages and bicycle hoops would be progressively installed across the station.
