Communities from Footscray to Yarraville will soon be better connected to schools, shops, and work with new pop-up bike lanes.
The 20km Footscray Pop-up Links will enhance and connect existing routes, providing a more accessible and safer way for locals to get to where they need to go.
The new and improved lanes will link Footscray City Primary School, Footscray High School’s Pilgrim campus, Victoria University campuses, shopping areas and public transport options across the area.
These routes will also link to existing high-quality off-road bike routes, including the Sunshine Trail, Maribyrnong River Trail, and the Footscray Road connection, helping residents from the community and nearby areas ride to and from Melbourne’s CBD more safely.
With consultation for the project underway, the state government says public input will inform the design to strike the right balance for all road users and people in the community, and adjustments can be made during and after installation.
Some of the safety enhancements to existing routes will include the installation of separated bike lanes, relocating bike lanes to the kerbside, and creating a mini roundabout at the corner of Victoria and Raleigh streets.
New signage, traffic calming measures, widening and other changes to existing bike lanes will make it easier for cyclists to get around while improving safety for road users and pedestrians.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said with a significant increase in cycling across parts of Melbourne, these upgrades are more important than ever.
“We are seeing more Melburnians take up cycling for both leisure and to commute, which is why these upgrades are vital to ensuring safer and more accessible travel for all road users,” he said.
“Better access to safer bike lanes also offers an excellent opportunity for students to participate in active travel to and from school – a great health initiative we will work with schools to encourage.”
Construction of the Footscray Pop-up Links will begin in the coming months, with works expected for completion in April 2022. For more information or to comment on the project, visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/bikingaroundmelbourne.
