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Bicycle paths aroundMelbourne are off-road routes for use by people riding bicycles and walking. These have been developed over many decades and primarily follow current or formerwatercourses andmajor roads to traverse long distances and provide facilities for transport and recreation.[1]
Paths within the metropolitan area are typicallysealed surfaces but gravel or dirt sections are also present. Paths often connect together to provide continuous routes and can also sometimes accessed fromrailway stations.
Ongoing community campaigns, such as those ofBicycle Network, have resulted in some expansion and improvement of the network.
Off-road bicycle paths have existed in Melbourne for many decades. The first designations as 'shared user paths' (SUPs) - or 'shared footways' - began in the 1970s following extensive lobbying byBicycle Victoria and its founderKeith Dunstan.
What is today known as theMain Yarra Trail was built in the late 1970s as part of this work, although not to the full original plans. Its route ended at theMacRobertson Bridge rather than continue along theYarra River toHawthorn.[2] Other suburban paths, such as theBlind Creek Trail andMaribyrnong River Trail, were built and subsequently expanded through to the 1980s by theMinistry of Transport under the State Bicycle Committee - a dedicated group to advocate for and plan for cycling in Victoria.[3][4]
In 1976, the Ministry of Transport under MinisterBrian Dixon developed Victoria's first statewide bicycle strategy. This later included the 'Melbourne Bikeway Plan' published in 1981 that planned for a network of bicycle paths and routes that mostly focused on off-road paths and trails.[4][5] This Plan delivered sections of the:
The system set up in these plans continued a programme whereby the State Government would provide funding to local governments to design and construct new bicycle paths. Many new and upgraded trails were built in this period using this method.[7]
In 1988, the State Bicycle Committee was abolished and subsequently absorbed into the newly createdVictorian Roads Corporation.[8]
In 2006,VicRoads installed bicycle counters on the trails at 17 locations throughout innerMelbourne.[9] These counters provide data on the usage of Melbourne's trails. For example, theAnniversary Outer Circle Trail at Cotham Rd,Kew, has about 20 cyclists per hour throughout the day, whereas theYarra River Trail, on the north side ofMorell Bridge, has a distinct peak hour rate of about 250/hr but only 50/hr in non-peak periods.[10][11] This supports the observation that the former is used mainly for recreation and the latter for recreation and commuting.[citation needed]
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A number of freeways have been constructed with separate bicycle paths built alongside, includingEastlink, theDeer Park Bypass, and theMetropolitan Ring Road. However, theCityLink tollway system has no provision for cyclists along several sections, including theBolte Bridge. Cyclists are also excluded from riding theWest Gate Freeway over theWest Gate Bridge, although exceptions are made for some special bicycle events likeAround the Bay in a Day organised byBicycle Network.[citation needed]
Responsibility for planning and maintenance is split between various State Government authorities and local councils.[12] With the increased recognition from all levels of government of the benefits of cycling, Melbourne today has a network ofshared bicycle trails which have developed over time along its river and creek systems and alongside freeways and railways.[13][14][15]
In December 2008, the Victorian State Government released theirVictorian Transport Plan which budgeted $100 million for cycling over 12 years. In 2009, the Victorian Cycling Strategy was also released, however, the Victorian Auditor-General reviewed this Strategy in 2012 and found there had been almost no progress on the items in the plan, which included more cycle lanes and junction treatments, and that it had been sidelined by the new Liberal government.[16] In 2012 there was opposition from cyclists following the cancellation of most cycling projects from the State budget, with protests organised byBicycle Network Victoria.[17]
TheParks Victoria recommends expanding the trails.[18]
Development of the network is slowed by the number of agencies that may be involved when a new path is proposed. Such agencies could includeVicRoads,VicTrack,Parks Victoria,Melbourne Water and the local Councils. The network is fragmented along Council boundaries. Some examples are: