State Government Proposes $70 Million Funding For New Bike Paths

After suffering months of protest about the controversial East West Link, Victorian Premier Denis Napthine today announced plans to invest $70 million in new cycling and pedestrian pathways in Melbourne's north and north-east. Claiming the East West Link was "never just about a road", Napthine hopes the project will provide increased safety and enhance Melbourne's reputation as a city for cyclists. But the changes won't be as far-reaching as you might think.

While the idea of $70 million worth of bike paths makes us want to head over to Spring Street right now and forcibly high-five everyone in state parliament, the main thrust of the project is geared towards access to the Mornington Peninsula. With bridges and pathways connecting to the Chandler Highway, the North East Bike Link will supposedly knock ten minutes off the 80km trip down south.

"You'll be able to get to Mornington for your coffee after about an hour peddling on this 80-kilometre ring," said Premier Napthine today (to the non-existent humanoids who happily ride 80km in one hour just to get a coffee). It's great news for those who spend their weekend in lycra visiting their holiday house in Sorrento, but kind of underwhelming for the rest of us.

That being said, the new infrastructure closer to the city will be helpful for those commuting from the inner-east. New bridges have been proposed over the Yarra and Merri Creek, and a 3km path would run from Alexandra Ave to the Main Yarra Trail.

The first contracts for the project were signed last week, but opposition leader Daniel Andrew claims its future will be decided by the outcome of the November state election. Leave your lycra onesie aside for the moment; even if it does go ahead, the date of completion is scheduled for 2019.

I guess we can awkwardly ride on the footpaths for a few more years.

Via The Age and ABC. Photo credit: Looking Glass via photopin cc.