Yarra City Council has approved the baseline concept design plan for the Elizabeth Street Cycling Corridor that will restore car parking spaces while maintaining protected bike lanes. The plan strikes a sensible balance that incorporates all high and medium-risk recommendations including sightline requirements from the Road Safety Audit.
"This street is home to hundreds of people – a resilient community, many of them from refugee backgrounds, that have had access to their homes, their businesses and their temple severely disrupted through the removal of parking," said Yarra City Council Mayor, Cr Stephen Jolly.
"So, what we've done, is tried to reach a sensible and practical compromise that restores parking while maintaining a safe cycling route."
In addition to these measures, trees will be planted along the footpaths, speed cushions will be installed on some side streets, and a contraflow bike lane will be introduced on Jonas Street. Cyclists will also benefit from a bike-friendly weaved grated lid, and a short extension of the westbound protected bike lane near Hoddle Street.
"All of this comes after extensive consultation, including with the State Government, to ensure that safe cycling – something that we really value here at Yarra – and the local community who live and work on this street, can happily co-exist."
Council officers will now prepare detailed designs to submit to State Government.
