Category: Boroondara

News and updates relating specifically to Boroondara

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Anniversary Trail Ashwood electorate Bike Advocacy Boroondara Hawthorn electorate Kew electorate

BBUG asks for 2022 Victorian State Election

Anniversary Trail Toorak Rd bridge

BBUG is asking all candidates in the 2022 Victorian state election to commit to the following opportunities for improving cycling and increasing the number of bike trips for people of all ages.

Kew

  1. North East Bicycle Corridor / North East Link (including the Roseneath St Bridge)
  2. New shared path bridge at Chandler Highway for Anniversary Trail
  3. Walmer Street Bridge
  4. Popup bike lanes
  5. Active Travel to Schools

Hawthorn

  1. Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail
  2. Walmer Street Bridge
  3. Popup bike lanes
  4. Toorak Road Bridge on Anniversary Trail
  5. Active Travel to Schools

Ashwood

  1. Gardiners Creek Trail Toorak Road underpass flooding
  2. Toorak Road Bridge on Anniversary Trail
  3. Active Travel to Schools

State-wide issues

BBUG requests that:

  • 15% of the total Victorian transport budget be allocated to active transport, including the design and construction of safe cycling infrastructure to provide amenity for the use of bicycles across Victoria for healthy and low carbon emissions transport.
  • The State Government provide a minimum of $5 million funding for cycling infrastructure per electorate.

There are lots of potential projects that could be funded – either implemented by major projects, Council or the new Active Transport Team within Department of Transport.

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Bicycle strategy Bike Advocacy Bike Path Boroondara Shared user path

Do you qualify for a footpath riding exemption?

One of BBUG’s members recently obtained an exemption and this is what they learned…

The road rules say:

Rule 250(1A)(b) amended by S.R. No. 96/2019 rule 11(5).

(b) the rider of the bicycle is 13 years old or older and—

(i) has a certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner; and

(ii) the certificate states that the rider has a disability or medical condition which makes it undesirable, impracticable or inexpedient for the rider to ride on the road; and

(iii) the rider is complying with the conditions (if any) stated on the certificate; and

(iv) if the disability or medical condition is of a temporary nature, the certificate contains an expiry date and has not expired; and

(v) the rider is carrying the certificate; and

(vi) the rider produces the certificate when requested to do so by a police officer or authorised person;

http://classic.austlii.edu.au/…/rsrr2017208/s250.html

Road Rule 250 1A(b) provides for a medical exemption for footpath riding issued by a registered medical practitioner on the basis of Disability or Medical Condition and worded as set out in the rules.

Continue reading “Do you qualify for a footpath riding exemption?”
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Bicycle strategy Bike Advocacy Bike Path Boroondara

A woman who rides to Hawthorn

Listen to Ruth Jelley as she describes her ride on her ebike from Northcote to Swinburne University, Hawthorn. She presented this slide deck to the Boroondara Council when they voted on the Boroondara Bike Strategy. Thanks for sharing Ruth!

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Bicycle strategy Bike Advocacy Boroondara Submission

Boroondara Council approves 2022-2032 Bike Strategy

The Boroondara Services Delegated Committee met on 11 July 2022 to discuss and vote on the 2022-2032 Bike Strategy.

You can view consideration of the draft Bike Strategy in the video below.

Boroondara Special Service meeting 11 July 2022 – Bike Strategy starts at 22:09

There were several presentations from members of the public. The BBUG presentation to the meeting begins at 1:01:40.

In summary, BBUG opposed the Council Officer’s recommendation to remove the Glass Creek / Jacka Trail from the strategy because it prevents the construction of a safe cycling route for students to get to schools including Balwyn North Primary, Greythorn Primary, Balwyn High & Kew High.

It is unfortunate that misinformation has been spread about this route being “unsafe” and a “busy commuter route” when it would provide students the opportunity to ride safely to school and for people to access several local recreation reserves by bike. The trail would also suit pedestrians of all ages and dog walkers.

BBUG also submitted that its vital that Boroondara Councillors approve a bike strategy without further delays.

The BBUG submission to the meeting is here

Council then voted unanimously to approve the revised strategy.

Motion to approve Boroondara Bicycle Strategy – passed
Continue reading “Boroondara Council approves 2022-2032 Bike Strategy”
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Bike Advocacy Boroondara

BBUG response to Council Officer’s report on Bicycle Strategy – it’s gone backwards

The Boroondara Services Delegated Committee is meeting on 11 July 2022 to consider the Council Officer’s Report on the Boroondara Bicycle Strategy.

Boroondara Bicycle Users Group (BBUG) is concerned that suggested amendments to the draft strategy and implementation plan (p24) will prevent the construction of a safe cycling route for students to get to schools including Balwyn North Primary, Greythorn Primary, Balwyn High & Kew High.

This route was included in the previous drafts of the bike strategy and implementation plan.

It is unfortunate that misinformation has been spread about this route being “unsafe” and a “busy commuter route” when it will provide students the opportunity to ride safely to school and for people to access several local recreation reserves by bike. The trail would also suit pedestrians of all ages and dog walkers.

We are surprised that several of the key findings of the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report (p33) are negative towards cycling when there are many examples of shared paths such as the Anniversary Trail, Koonung Trail, Main Yarra Trail and Darebin Creek Trail providing good amenity to both bike riders and walkers.

Riding a bike is healthy, emissions free and convenient for both local and longer trips.

More trips by bike will also reduce congestion on busy roads.

However, the lack of safe cycling infrastructure and a well-integrated network of bike routes in Boroondara is a major disincentive for riding a bike for many Boroondara residents.

Over 321 people have now signed our petition asking Boroondara Councillors to approve the original draft Bicycle Strategy and Implementation Plan. BBUG considers that these versions should be adopted.

BBUG recommends that Boroondara Council provide bike infrastructure that is commensurate with the Vision in the strategy (p65) and on par with or better than bike infrastructure in the neighbouring local government areas of Yarra, Melbourne, Stonnington, Darebin, Monash and Whitehorse.

Our submission to the Boroondara Services Delegated Committee meeting is here.

We think it’s vital that Boroondara Councillors approve the new bike strategy without further delays.

What can you do?

Contact all Boroondara Councillors via phone or email and let them know you want them to approve the previous draft of the bike strategy.

Let them know why cycling is important to you.

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Bike Path Boroondara Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail Strategic Cycling Corridor

Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail update – work in progress

Boroondara Council officers have engaged engineering consultants to assess feasibility and develop functional plans for two sections of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail corridor.

1. Elgin Street to Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn (including an underpass at Power Street).

2. Burke Road to Stanhope Grove, Camberwell.

The focus of the work is looking at how off-road path alignment could be provided through these sections, with separate facilities for cyclists and pedestrians where possible.

Site inspections have been carried out and feature surveys have been undertaken for these corridors to inform the design process.

The first draft functional plans are expected by mid-June 2022, after which the plans will be reviewed and workshopped with key stakeholders including the Department of Transport, VicTrack and Metro Trains.

Consultation with BBUG and the community would also occur and Council would formally consider the proposals.

Subject to approvals, the finalised plans are expected to be instrumental in advocating for funding and delivery of these important sections of the corridor by the Department of Transport.

In addition, subject to Council funding approval as part of its Annual Budget Process, during 2022-23, feasibility and functional designs are proposed for the following sections.

3. Glenferrie Road to Auburn Road including an overpass at Glenferrie Road.

4. Auburn Road to Burwood Road including an overpass at Auburn Road.

5. Union Road to Churchill St (LXRP)

Section of trail under construction by Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Level Crossing Removal Project, noting that pedestrian/bike crossings at Union Rd & Mont Albert Rd will be provided.

6. Churchill Street to Box Hill connecting to Ringwood to Box Hill Trail

Some further design work was conducted by the Department of Transport but no information on this is available.

BBUG and MeBUG have advised DoT that a bridge for the trail over the very busy Elgar Road is essential.

We are also concerned that recently approved Vicinity Development in the Box Hill MAC will block the trail. 

As as 21 June 2022, we are disappointed that no funds have been allocated by the Victorian Government for further work on the trail.

See also

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Bike Path Boroondara Strategic Cycling Corridor

$5 million upgrade promised for shared paths in Kooyong

On 17 May 2022 in the last week of the election campaign, Josh Frydenberg’s office sent Boroondara BUG this media release (PDF)

He promised $5 million dollars for upgrading shared paths and connections in Kooyong and installing some new lighting to improve safety and visibility for users. Works included were:

  • $2 million for the Anniversary Trail to construct a new shared path ramp connecting the trail with Mont Albert Road
  • $2 million for reconstructing the dangerous Gardiners Creek underpass at Toorak Road (fix silting problems and improve lighting)
  • $1 million to improve lighting along the Anniversary/Outer Circle Trail, between the Eastern Freeway and High Street, Kew.

Boroondara BUG supports these improvements.

In particular, the Toorak Road underpass on the Gardiners Creek Trail is very dangerous when it gets silted up with mud after flooding. There is potential for loss of life here if a cyclist loses control in the mud and crashes.

Toorak Road underpass on Gardiners Creek trail silting

Boroondara BUG is following up with the Dr Monique Ryan MP, the new member for Kooyong, to determine if these funds are available.

Note that no funds were allocated to the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail. We ask whether some of the unspent $65 million for the failed and unnecessary railway station car parks in Kooyong can be used to build this critical cycling corridor.

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Bike Path Boroondara

Have your say about Gardiners Creek Trail in Boroondara…

Are there improvements that you would like to see along the Gardiners Creek Trail in Boroondara?

You can have your say by participating as part of the Draft Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Masterplan public consultation via the link below.

https://engage.boroondara.vic.gov.au/gardiners-creek-master-plan

Consultation is open until 28 June 2022.

Complete the survey above or join one of the drop-in sessions:

  • Wednesday 15 June from 12 to 3pm at Dorothy Laver Reserve West, Ashburton (near the pond/discovery island).
  • Thursday 23 June from 2pm to 5pm at Nettleton Park, Glen Iris (near the playground).
  • Saturday 25 June from 10am to 1pm at Patterson Reserve, Hawthorn.

There will also be an opportunity to present your online feedback in-person for consideration of Councillors at a future Services Special Committee (Council Chamber, 8 Inglesby Road Camberwell).

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Bike Advocacy Boroondara

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Dr Monique Ryan (Kooyong) and Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah – Labor for Higgins on their election as MP’s for Kooyong and Higgins.

We look forward to them representing our community in federal parliament, and collaborating with the City of Boroondara to address climate change, particularly carbon emissions from transport via delivery of safe and connected cycling infrastructure.

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Bike Advocacy Bike Path Boroondara

Dr Ryan has committed to securing funding for the Box Hill to Hawthorn

Boroondara BUG, Whitehorse Active Transport Advocacy Group, Metro East BUG and Rides Electric commend Dr Monique Ryan for her call on the Morrison government to commit to fund the Box Hill to Hawthorn cycling and walking path.

Dr Ryan has committed to securing funding for the Box Hill to Hawthorn shared path as one of her priorities if she is elected, and to work with Boroondara Council, the Victorian government and the Kooyong community to get it built.