Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Heads up: MCC Rangers + Police fining cyclists in Carlton Gardens
I haven't noticed any discussion of this yet, but numerous cyclists have been fined this week for riding through Carlton Gardens.
This involves the Melbourne Council Rangers and the Police bicycle patrol stopping riders, obtaining their details. Riders are then issued a $250 fine under Melbourne Council laws, and also $50 for riding on the footpath by the Police.
Potentially $300 all up. That stings.
The Carlton Gardens have been subject to long running attempts at public consultation, including groups & individuals trying to improve cycling access, over the last decade. To cut a very long story short, unfortunately there's very entrenched local resident opposition to shared use of the park.
There is the option of the shared footpath on Nicholson St or just avoiding the entire park, but considering that Canning St, a major commuting route, ends at Carlton Street, with a path leading through the park, it's sometimes too temping for many riders simply to continue through the park and not up Carlton St to Nicholson.
So avoid taking shortcuts through Carlton Gardens. Unless you've got deep pockets or can ride real fast to avoid the rangers & police, or which, either option isn't particular intelligent.
On a slightly more positive note, the recent developed City of Yarra Bicycle Strategy 2010-2015 will hopefully be out for public consultation between September- December 2009. as part of the strategy the council wish to develop improved cycling access with surrounding councils.
There's opportunity here to build a case for improved access to Carlton Gardens, but as it's Melb Council jurisdiction, it's pretty much still their call where it comes to allowing cycling access on the park paths.
This involves the Melbourne Council Rangers and the Police bicycle patrol stopping riders, obtaining their details. Riders are then issued a $250 fine under Melbourne Council laws, and also $50 for riding on the footpath by the Police.
Potentially $300 all up. That stings.
The Carlton Gardens have been subject to long running attempts at public consultation, including groups & individuals trying to improve cycling access, over the last decade. To cut a very long story short, unfortunately there's very entrenched local resident opposition to shared use of the park.
There is the option of the shared footpath on Nicholson St or just avoiding the entire park, but considering that Canning St, a major commuting route, ends at Carlton Street, with a path leading through the park, it's sometimes too temping for many riders simply to continue through the park and not up Carlton St to Nicholson.
So avoid taking shortcuts through Carlton Gardens. Unless you've got deep pockets or can ride real fast to avoid the rangers & police, or which, either option isn't particular intelligent.
On a slightly more positive note, the recent developed City of Yarra Bicycle Strategy 2010-2015 will hopefully be out for public consultation between September- December 2009. as part of the strategy the council wish to develop improved cycling access with surrounding councils.
There's opportunity here to build a case for improved access to Carlton Gardens, but as it's Melb Council jurisdiction, it's pretty much still their call where it comes to allowing cycling access on the park paths.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by alistair wenn on -
I have just heard Mayor Doyle, come out and berate cyclists for riding through the Gardens and saying that they will continue to back to Police for assisting with the imposition of fines. The manner in which the fines have been handed out are one thing, but the condition of the cycle connection into the city is a "bigger picture" matter that should be reviewed. I would challenge him to grab one the Councils bikes and come down for a ride at 8:15am one morning and check the situation out for himself. There is a reason why cyclists chose to use the gardens. It is safer for cyclists and pedestrians, with less risk of conflict.
That section of the "Gardens" are no different from areas of Fawkner Park or Yarra Park where cycling is allowed. The path is 5.5m wide. The condition through the Carlton Gardens and the surrounding shared paths should be reviewed in light of the increased numbers of cyclists riding into the city from Moreland and Yarra via Canning St.
The Nicholson St. Shared path is 2.5m wide, congested and compromised by a bluestone wall on one side and parked cars on the other, as well as a tram stop, street signs and tree cutouts. It places pedestrians and cyclists at greater potential risk of collision.
Common sense should prevail. In an age when we are trying to encourage cycling, minimise emissions and get healthy, the Council should be doing everything possible to promote safe cycling into the CBD and in 2009 that may involve re-evaluation of the "no -riding in the gardens" policy, particularly where critical linkages exist. In years of riding through the gardens, I have not once come close to a incident and have never received any abuse for park users. I think the width of the path and the size of the park allow enough space for everyone to share the amenity.
The critical linkages through the gardens could be designated as shared paths and supported by "safe signage", linemarking and speed limits. Most cyclists are not reckless. All are pedestrians and most drive cars. A "Ride safely and respect others" campaign could be run by Bicycle Victoria, Victoria Police and the MCC to promote safe cycling in the city.
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
"A MELBOURNE City councillor will move to review the council's policy of fining riders who cycle through city parks $250.
Greens councillor Cathy Oke said there should be safe bicycle commuter routes created through city parks and gardens, and will put forward a motion to that effect at a committee meeting.
Council rangers and police last week combined to hand out $250 fines to 110 cyclists for riding through a council park, raising more than $25,000.
''It is regrettable we are fining cyclists,'' Cr Oke said yesterday. ''There should be safe commuter bike paths through key parks in Melbourne.''
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has defended the fines, saying there should be certain parks and gardens that are off-limits to cyclists...."
Linky to The Age
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Permalink Reply by ChrisS on -
Hahaha, heh heh, you can listen to Doyles words of wisdom on 3AW.
- mp3 linky
Tactful? Doyle isn't, especially early in the interview where he discusses the Swanston St tour bus issues. Especially as it's one year since Carolines death.
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Permalink Reply by Jo Fong on
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Has anyone seen this?
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/BicyclesPedestrians/RoadRulesFo...
I am one of the 'fined' and according to the above link, riding through the park is a larger offence than running a red light.
Was anyone else fined and have you paid up already? I only received mine today and my eyes exploded when I saw $250 listed.
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Permalink Reply by Seán on
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I honestly wasn't expecting a fine at all, so I felt much the same when it arrived today. I've been riding through there for probably 28 years or so and I've never encountered rangers or police before. It's a nice break to ride through the park at a gentle pace after riding up Canning Street, before returning to the scrum on the road.
Before arriving at the gardens I'd negotiated the blocked (as usual) pedestrian crossing at Princes Street - who's policing that I ask? After encountering the revenue collectors I rode around on the footpath (congested as usual, unlike the park) and after, politely and temperately mind you, suggesting to a family blocking the path that they should keep left I was roundly abused and they even went as far as encouraging their toddler to scream at me.
I don't really understand why so few people walk through the park, but since it's so give me the park every time! It's safer and quieter.
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Permalink Reply by ChrisS on
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Apologies for the double post, 'tis here:
Here's an important heads up for tomorrow from Nik Dow, if you've got the time:
****
Cr Cathy Oke has given notice of a motion (reproduced below) to the "Eco City committee" which meets at 5pm on Tuesday 6th October at Melbourne Town Hall. Please come and support the motion. It is also
good to speak, you need to make a submission in writing (email is good) before midday Tuesday, guidelines are at http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=247&pa=1804&pg...
indicate in your submission that you want to speak, 3 minutes is allowed.
CYCLIST COMMUTER ROUTES INTERSECTING WITH KEY PARKS AND GARDENS IN THE CITY OF MELBOURNE
Motion
1. That the Eco-City Committee request a report be provided to the next Connected City
Committee:
1.1 identifying key areas where dedicated bike paths terminate at, or adjacent to, Parks and Gardens in the City of Melbourne; and
1.2 providing information (including timelines) on current projects and or future opportunities for providing safe and continuous bike paths to and from the city where they don’t currently exist.
Background
2. Cycling is not permitted in Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Flagstaff Gardens (except for children under 12 and any accompanying adult), however, some of these gardens intersect with key commuter bike paths to and from the city.
3. The City of Melbourne Bicycle Plan 2007-2011 identifies the issue this creates and indicates that where other practical options do not exist, options for a safe passage through parks will be investigated (p 16).
4. The Carlton Gardens Master Plan, approved 29 March 2005, recommends (page 19) that a safe dedicated bike route along Rathdowne Street should be investigated. In mid-2008, the cycling path along Rathdowne Street in Carlton,between Victoria Street and Princes Street, was upgraded.
5. The existing on-road bike lanes were treated with a green surface colouring and ‘vibra-line’ lane marking. Vibra-line lane markings alert drivers and cyclists alike if they move outside their respective road spaces. The new lane markings also create an audible alert, working in conjunction with visual markings and surface colouring to reinforce the bike lane’s presence.
6. A trial will shortly be implemented in Fawkner Park for safe cycling treatments which will incorporate some markings and rumble strips on main pathways, particularly at intersections. This will be introduced in parallel with an education program, to raise the awareness of cyclists of the effect of their activity on other park users and that they may need to modify the way they conduct their activity so it is appropriate to the shared path setting.
Note
7. There is currently a World Heritage Plan being prepared for Carlton Gardens by Heritage Victoria. The outcome of this process will be the subject of a future Eco-City Committee report.
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Permalink Reply by Shera Angela on
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I'm one of the find. I'm electing to have mine heard in court (as everyone else can do to), where I will argue that the fine is far to steep for the infringement. Especially after looking at the VicRoads Cyclists Offences and Fines, which are no where near $250. Apparently the rules are different if you're on Melbourne City Council property.
Anyone else going down the court hearing route??
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