The Lord Mayor and Councillors
City of Melbourne
Dear Lord Mayor and Councillors
Further to the decision last night
to defer the adoption of the proposed City of Melbourne Road Safety Plan.
I request that the City of
Melbourne publish on line in full all submissions made by stakeholders, not
just an edited summary. Such a practice is standard in the consideration
of State Parliamentary Committee submissions and allows all members of the
public to view the issues raised whilst maintaining public confidence in the
consultation process.
Council should provide a process
and further opportunity for public debate on the use and development of
the City’s Road Network.
The City of Melbourne should also
seek input and submissions from Melbourne’s Emergency Services (Ambulance and
Fire brigade) as to the impact of road safety plans, proposals and traffic lane
restrictions.
I note with great concern that
the Victorian Ambulance and Metropolitan Fire-brigade were not included in the
initial Road Safety consultation
Motorcycle and Scooter riders are
at an equal if not greater risk of safety to bicycle riders. The proposals put
forward by the City of Melbourne in the draft report do not address Motorcycle
and Scooter riders Road Safety issues. The ill-considered establishment
of “Bike” Lanes that exclude access to Motorised Two wheel vehicles
(Motorcycles and Scooters) and the associated displacement and congestion that
results compounds the Road Safety Risk.
Further consideration needs to be
given as to the opportunities of sharing bike lanes through-out
Melbourne. Many lanes are underutilized and could be used to facilitate a
safe travel environment for Motorcyclist and Scooter riders. The two modes of
transport are not exclusive and can safely coexist under many circumstances and
appropriate regulatory guidelines and protocols put in place. Not all bicycle
paths are suited for sharing but many are.
The City Council needs to
discuss and identify those lanes were both modes of transport can be
accommodated.
The City Council should consider as
a matter of priority alternative routes for Cyclist pathways throughout the
city with preference given to less congested roads and laneways. Consider for
lane reductions should only be given as a last resort and only after extensive
consultation with all stakeholders and public approval.
The provision of “Lane Filtering”
options at inner city intersections that allow motorcycles and scooter riders
to move to the front of the intersection to a safe zone and take advantage of a
controlled early start as is currently afforded to bicyclists riders.
The Council’s Transport Strategy
plan and road network design needs to be reviewed to take into consideration
the needs of all road users.
In addition: I request that the
council consider the following additional issues of concern to help improve
motorcycle/Scooter Riders (MSRs) Road Safety
- Shared Bus Lanes (Higher priority)
- Shared “Bike” paths (Based on a Bike
Lane category system – High Priority)
- Bicycle “Bike” paths to be
encouraged to use smaller less congested streets not major road feeders.
- Lane Filtering options at
intersections (High Priority)
- Turn left at any time with care
rights to reduce congestion and increase traffic flow (High Priority)
- Road Line Paint that is not slippery
(Medium Priority)
- More attention on pavement surface
quality to avoid overlay ridges (High Priority)
- Advocate for Rear Vision Cameras to
be made mandatory on van/trucks and buses/trams where central rear vision
mirrors are not available.
- A public education program to
encourage cars to check their stop lights and turning signals regularly
- Look and signal before turning when
in the city signs to be
erected in hot spots thought the City
- The undertaking of a series of
independent “Stress testing” reviews of site access and transit times for
emergency vehicles thought out the city at various peak congestion/travel times
I look forward to the opportunity
to discuss further in more detail the above and other issues related to the
City of Melbourne’s proposed Road Safety Plan
Should you require further
information I can be contacted via email
Anthony van der Craats
Scooter rider/Resident
South Yarra
Cc Media.. Members of Victorian
State Parliament, Victorian Minister and Shadow Minister of Roads
Some 8,000 to 10,000 Trade Unionists and members of the public marched in solidarity for public and workplace safety.
Whilst the main focus was on GroCon and the State Government Work Safety questions are being asked as to the City of Melbourne's responsibility and why it failed to issued a permit or inspect the Swanston Street building site?
The media are also asking questions but the Council has gone underground refusing to answer, hoping to weather the storm and escape attention from three government inquiries. Worksafe, the Buildling Industry and a Coronal inquiry.
The City of Melbourne has a whole department of Engineers and exactly what do they do other then Engineer congestion, attend seminars and drink coffee? If they are not providing oversight, inspection and enforcing the rules why are they employed? Why are rate payers paying their wages?
