Given Melbourne’s significant cycling culture, you would think Victoria would be the first state to embrace a 1 metre overtaking buffer. The fact that we haven’t done so already, shows the unique situation on Melbourne’s roads.
So many of Victoria’s arterial roads have four modes of transport – pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and trams, plus on-street parking.
Those roads are currently struggling with transport volumes and we need to find ways to increase efficiency as well as safety. That means we should focus on increasing safe cycling infrastructure.
Unfortunately, amounts currently being spent by local councils fall well short of what is needed. The lack of funding means Parliament has had to consider the options like the one metre overtaking rule.
It’s a wake up call for more investment in safe cycling infrastructure. Particularly widening and upgrading existing bike paths.
– Fiona Patten
