Car-free city is a ‘fantasy’
GEELONG’S controversial CBD bike lanes project has sparked intense debate, with supporters and opponents labelling them everything from a “disaster” to “progressive”, just days after the City of Greater Geelong called for community feedback.
An MP for the region has also weighed in on the project, raising major concerns with the “problematic” implementation of the completed CBD lanes.
The CoGG on Monday launched a fresh round of community engagement on its Building Better Bike Connections project.
It is seeking feedback on the completed and planned sections of the paths connecting the CBD to Waurn Ponds via Belmont, and to Herne Hill via Geelong West.
The paths, funded via a $6.3m Transport Accident Commission (TAC) grant, were described by the CoGG as a “critical link in Geelong’s cycling network, connecting 25 per cent of Geelong’s population located south of the Barwon River to Geelong’s key employment precinct and transport hubs”.
The council in March approved a tender process to deliver stage two of the Southern Link – the only stage yet to be completed – building a protected bike path from the Barwon River to Waurn Ponds via High St, Belmont.
Western Victoria Liberal MP Bev McArthur inspected the existing CBD bike lanes this week, raising concerns with the removal of one lane of traffic from Gheringhap St and sections with bi-directional bike lanes.
“In my view, the implementation of the cycle lanes so far is problematic, and I am deeply concerned about what may happen in the future,” she said.
“Cycle lanes and public transport may be desirable, but they will never suit all residents, all the time. We can’t destroy road and parking infrastructure to achieve the fantasy of a car-free city centre. Nor should we.
“The catastrophic effect on business of restricting traffic flow and parking doesn’t seem to get a look-in when council and government consider these matters.
“The result is expensive, intrusive and barely used cycling infrastructure, at the cost of a thriving city centre.
“This would be damaging at the best of times, but following the disastrous consequences of Covid, these changes could be the final straw.”
Geelong Advertiser readers were quick to share their opinions on the bike lanes this week.
“It may have looked pretty on paper and popular for the ‘save the world brigade’, but it is nothing short of a disaster for motorists and the poor business folk,” Matthew wrote.
Paul wrote: “The city bike lanes are a disaster, and the High St ones will be a disaster for High St businesses. I avoid the city as much as possible now due to traffic chaos.”
However, Thys wrote: “Ultimately we have to decide whether we want a progressive city that encourages green forms of transport.
“Talk of removing them is literally backwards.”