April 2026
Come and say hello at our monthly meeting. For April we are having a casual meetup and discussion at Mamma Chen's, 42A Albert St, Footscray VIC 3011 this Friday the 10th of April. We'll be there from 6PM. All welcome.
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DUKWvg4t3/
Cycling and the Fuel Crisis
Cycling can play a significant short-term and long-term role in managing fuel shortages because it directly reduces demand for petrol and diesel in everyday travel. In a fuel crisis, the main policy goal is not necessarily to produce more fuel (which takes time) but to reduce demand so essential sectors like freight, agriculture and emergency services can still operate.
Recent reporting shows Australia is already experiencing supply pressures and rising prices linked to global disruptions, with concerns about shortages and rationing in some areas
BikeWest has composed a strategy with specific actions councils can quickly take to assist people to get about by bike. We have sent this strategy to Maribyrnong, HBCC, MVCC with MV Sustainability and Brimbank with BrimBUG.
Caitlin Cassidy
Melbourne Airport Rail - Superhub Project
Sunshine
The long proposed Greenline is to become a reality.
The northbound leg of the Hampshire Road overpass will be closed to cars and converted into a pedestrian and cycling link over the railway tracks.
Tottenham
Tottenham station is also set to be rebuilt by the project, this will include a new pedestrian tunnel separate it from the polluted Ashley St.
Unfortunately, we have found out that the design brief has specified that the tunnel is to be pedestrian only, NO CYCLING infrastructure. People on bikes will be expected to dismount and walk 150 metres. This is despite the tunnel being one of the Strategic Cycling Corridors.
This will only change with an extensive public campaign. We are also enlisting the support of the Bicycle Network CEO, Ali McCormack who will be raising it with the Active Transport Minister Williams in their next meeting.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/airportrail-stage1
Ride to School Day
BikeWest hosted a Bikebus on Ride2School Day from Gaudion Reserve, West Footscray along Barkly St to Footscray Primary School.
A fun day for all
Critical Mass
BikeWest hosted the Critical Mass on the 27th. We headed from the State Library to Footscray Station via our proposed Westlink (see below).
Veloway Bumps
BikeWest continues to advocate to fix these bumps which can be quite unsettling. We are aware of numerous cases of broken spokes and rims after traveling on the veloway repeatedly. We’ll step up our campaign soon, but we have been collecting data on this, see a graph of our data collection efforts below.
State Election Campaign
BikeWest are part of the coalition of advocacy groups in conjunction with Bicycle Network. There are meetings soon to discuss priorities for the campaign. Any suggestions are welcome
Strategic Cycling Corridors Map
BikeWest continues to work with Vince Masci who was the main person behind the Near Miss Map, which we strongly encourage everyone to use. He has constructed a fantastic map with lots of information on the the strategic cycling corridors for the upcoming state election including cost estimates. We hope to add economic benefit calculations soon. This information will be very helpful in the upcoming election when talking to candidates.
Near Miss Map
There are far too many crashes, near misses and other incidents that go unreported so BikeWest has worked with a fantastic colleague Vince to produce the Near Miss map to report these near misses and give us more evidence to advocate for safer cycling. The Near Miss Map can be found here, please use it if you have a near miss and share it widely
Maribyrnong Council
Maribyrnong Council have recently employed a Manager of Traffic Engineering who has previously worked at Meri-Bek Council and we are led to believe the new person has a strong background in cycling infrastructure. Fingers crossed.
Franco Cozzo Link
BikeWest are working hard with Maribyrnong Council to join the Hopetoun Bridge with central Footscray. We have been led to believe there has been progress on the section between Whitehall St and the river.
Westlink
BikeWest is continuing our campaign to lever off the opening of the Dixon Veloway and highlight the gap to the shared user path (SUP) on Cross St beside West Footscray Station. There is a 2km black hole between the Veloway and West Footscray Station and we have drawn up plans that utilise much of the designs the ALP took to the 2019 federal election. We are working with Maribyrnong Council and this will be part of the state election campaign. We have also met with the Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino as this is part of his electorate to discuss the possibility of federal funding.
Quarry Park Masterplan
BikeWest continues to work with Maribyrnong Council to develop a bicycle park in Quarry Park. The ask is for extended MTB trails, a crushed gravel running/CX path around the perimeter as well as a Bike Education Centre/Event space with a cafe and deck with the best view in Melbourne. Maribyrnong staff and the consultant are on board with their report being finalised next meeting in April.
Climate Emergency Strategy Review
Maribyrnong are reviewing their climate strategy and of course cycling has a significant role to play in any such strategy. The review will be open to community feedback shortly
Physical Activity in Maribyrnong
Council are also seeking feedback from the community about how to get active. We hear cycling can be quite good physical activity. This obviously links with our hopes for Quarry Park.
Hobsons Bay City Council
HBCC are developing their Integrated Transport Strategy and had a workshop on Sunday March 15th. BikeWest attended the workshop
We were very pleased to hear the strongly supportive views on cycling from the other participants. The organizer of the workshop said he'd never hosted a workshop that was so strongly supportive of cycling. BikeWest has organised further meetings with HBCC staff about their ITS. This is a very pleasing change from our interactions with HBCC in previous years.
Moonee Valley City Council
MVCC have been working on their Integrated Transport Strategy for some time. BikeWest and Moonee Valley Sustainability have continued to work with council on the ITS.
Research, International News
City Design not personal motivation determines how much you walk (probably cycle too)
Eve Lu
Traffic Safety perception main factor in decision on active travel to school
No surprises here
Author links open overlay panelDorji Wangzom, Marcus White, Jeni Paay
Riding for Focus Middle School Bicycling Program
The program was adopted across a wide range of school settings, (1.4% of public US middle schools serving low-income communities). Moderate to high levels of implementation success were reported. The evaluation highlights the program’s potential as a scalable, school-based bicycling intervention with high levels of student enjoyment
Travel Cost Calculator
the City of Calgary in Canada has a great travel cost calculator for different modes. Well worth a look
