September 2025
Come and join us at our meeting this Friday (12th of September) 6PM at Borderlands in Footscray (30A Pickett St). Everyone is welcome.
Proposed E-bike ban on public transport
After a few fires from dodgy imports, the disappointingly regressive state government (when it comes to active transport) is proposing to ban e-bikes on public transport. Better regulation would be our solution as the combination of ebikes and public transport really helps people who either can't or don't want to drive.
Bicycle Network are coordinating a campaign with the help of all the local advocacy groups (something they have really supported in recent times which is really pleasing). While the date for submissions has passed, here is their take on it
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-advocacy/previous-campaigns/e-bike-ban-2/
Vic Gov Speed Zoning Policy
This may not sound that interesting or relevant to cycling but potentially the most significant chance of improved cycling safety is the revision of the Vic Gov speed zoning policy.
The Victorian government has updated its Speed Zoning Policy to allow local councils to implement 30km/h speed limits in areas needing improved pedestrian safety, such as city hubs and busy streets, following advocacy from local councils like the City of Yarra, which has led successful 30km/h trials since 2018. The updated policy also supports recommendations from Infrastructure Victoria to make 30km/h the default on local streets, particularly around schools and playgrounds.
30kmh is the key speed for cycling and motor vehicles to share the same road space as the chance of injury is much much smaller at this speed. Just a 10kmh increase to 40kmh increases the risk of death by from 5% to 25%
While is is well established that speed limits themselves do not make a lot of difference to the speeds people drive as anyone who lives in the Joseph Rd precinct can tell you, nevertheless it is a big step in the right direction.
How to get to the Veloway
The veloway is due to open up later this year but the question we continue to ask is how are people supposed cycle safely to get to the veloway? Well it turns out the ALP had a proposal they took to the 2019 federal election that connected Shepherds Bridge and West Footscray station along Napier/Buckley Sts. One of our most tenacious committee members, Pierre V, put in a FOI request and now we have the drawings which we will turn into a campaign soon. Come along to the next BikeWest meeting if you want to get involved.
Stay tuned
Research on Barriers to Transport Equity in Melbourne West
A research student from RMIT is doing a research project in the west of Melbourne and needs people to fill in their survey.
They intend to look at the perceived barriers to public transport from the perspective of residents and built environment professionals through questionnaires and interviews. The research focuses on understanding lived experience with transport, identify challenges, and assess how well transport needs are considered in development projects.
They invite you to take a short, anonymous questionnaire (6-8 minutes) to share your insights. Your responses will be kept confidential and used solely for academic research. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/u6LHKFeVj8dqoqS48 (Residents of Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, or Maribyrnong only)
They hope to inform better transport outcomes and contribute to reducing inequalities across Melbourne West. Please feel free to share this with friends, colleagues, or local networks. For any questions, please contact:
Aurélien Nissen - s4078000@student.rmit.edu.au
Federation Trail Flooding
The Federation Trail continues to flood at the drop of a glass of water near the Ring Road and we're not sure what's going on. We were led to believe the drainage issue was fixed in 2020 but it keeps happening. We will endeavour to find out what's going on but if any locals have inside information please let us know. We suspect it's a hot potato passed between government departments.
Barnet St/Pentland Parade roadworks case study
A curious case study has accidentally occurred in Barnet St and Pentland Parade in Yarraville. After only 1 (ONE!!!) letter from someone who thought we needed 4m of a new footpath at a not particularly dangerous intersection. To everyone's surprise council then decided to redesign the whole intersection with barely any warning, ripped up the road for months and then reversed the decision when a resident complained about the loss of 2 car parks and are now rebuilding the intersection exactly as it was at the cost of several hundred thousand dollars.
This has raised issues around community engagement, decision making processes, waste of ratepayers money and governance. We are certain this is not an isolated case and are seeking a meeting with council. Contact us if you'd like to see our submission.
JaCX Magazine Community Ride and Race
Westside Cycle Club is putting on their event on the weekend of September 20/21. The Saturday is a community day where people can ride in and around the magazine as well as do a free history tour while the Sunday will be some racing.
It's a fascinating place so please come along. Also please support Westside Cycle Club in their mission have more people joining them on rides. Participation is the most important thing.
Registration is essential
For Saturday click here
Westside Cycling Club Incorporated
For Sunday racing
Quarry Park
As part of the Footscray Park Master Plan review, the Quarry Park Masterplan is also being revisited. BikeWest has a seat at the table and is proposing upgraded shared paths along the Maribyrnong to minimise the conflict between people walking and people on bikes.
In addition, BikeWest is proposing Quarry Park become a bike destination with increased MTB trails, a gravel track around the perimeter and a community bike centre at the top of the hill. We are proposing this as part of a community development project to become a "third place" where people can gather by bike, hang out, talk bikes (or not), catch up and enjoy the best view in Melbourne. We are suggesting a cafe with a deck for all to enjoy.
We have a presentation to council on October 6th.
Stay tuned.
Melbourne Uni Seminar
BikeWest President, Dr John Symons, gave a talk at Melbourne Uni in conjunction with planning academic Crystal Legacy on "participatory planning" and "structural gaslighting". If anyone is interested in the presentation slides please get in touch.
Slow Food Market
BikeWest will be at the West Footscray Slow Food market on October 11th. Please come along and say hi.
Local Government projects
Maribyrnong
Road Management Plan
This is pretty boring but very old school in its priorities. Unfortunately it closes on September 14th but they laughably claim there are 78km of bike lanes. Very amusing.
Here are the summary of changes. Mainly the time they give themselves to do stuff.
Highpoint Car Parking Plan
BikeWest put a submission for this quite some time ago. Basically we said you've already got over 7000 car parks and can't build anymore without enormous cost. Why don't you actually build the bike network you propose in 4 other documents, the Integrated Transport Strategy (currently being updated), the Bike Strategy, the Road Safety Management Plan and the Climate Change Strategy.
Judging from the summary document of community feedback we weren't the only ones to suggest this. More to come.
HBCC
The engagement site for the level crossing removal is up for Spotswood station. HBCC have made a meal of their bike projects over the last few years. We'll see what happens here.
Brimbank
Taylors Lakes Shared User Path
This is such a no brainer we are astounded it has taken this long. Sigh. Still they need some community support so have your say.
Road Management Plan
Same as Maribyrnong
Wyndham
Road Management Plan
Essentially the same as Maribyrnong