Melbourne Bicycle Account

Cycling Census 2008

 Contents
Introduction from CEO 3
About our Bicycle account 4
A cycle friendly city - the benefits 4
Melbourne Bicycle Account Summary 4
Melbourne as a Cycle Friendly City 6
Accidents and Safety 6
More cyclists than ever 8
Cycle Friendly Projects 9
Riding Frequency 10
On-Road Route Improvements 10
Staff/bike parking ratio 10
Bike parking in the city 11
Bike plan 2007-2011 11

Photography in the 2008 Melbourne Bicycle Account

In 2008, the City of Melbourne invited the Melbourne community to contribute photographs for use in this
publication. A wide range of photographs were received, and as many of these as possible have been
included in the 2008 Melbourne Bicycle Account.
The City of Melbourne thanks all cycling and photography enthusiasts who contributed their work.
Cover photo (competition winner): Narele Spangher

If you would like to receive new editions of the Melbourne Bicycle Account please
register your email address by visiting: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/bicycleaccount
or call the City of Melbourne: +613 9658 9658.
City of Melbourne Bike Plan 2007-11: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/bikeplan
Bicycle Victoria: www.bv.com.au
VicRoads Bicycle and Pedestrians:
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/BicyclesPedestrians

2 Competition winner: Emma Starr

CEO Introduction
The City of Melbourne is working towards becoming one of
the best cycling cities in the world – a city where riding around
town is simply what people do.

Our City of Melbourne Bicycle Plan 2007-2011 identifies many

of the benefits of cycling. Travelling by bike is cheap, healthy
and environmentally responsible. It reduces congestion on
roads and reduces carbon emissions. For our ‘time poor’
community members, cycling is a way to fit some regular
exercise into the day. It’s a healthy activity families and friends
can do together.

For all these reasons, the City of Melbourne is working to

ensure Melbourne can reach its full potential as a healthy and
vibrant cycling city. Creating a bike city
Of course, more needs to be done to achieve this goal. We
need to do more to shift our transport focus away from the
motor vehicle and towards the bicycle, while investment
in cycling infrastructure needs to increase at every level of
government. In 2008, we’re making progress, especially as the
number of city commuter cyclists has more than doubled in
three years.

This Melbourne Bicycle Account is a great opportunity for all

of us to get a clear picture of cycling in our city, including its
benefits and challenges.

The City of Melbourne hopes that other Victorian, Australian

and international cities will recognise the value of this
approach, and will be inspired to develop their own bicycle
accounts. If more cities participate, we can compare data and
identify opportunities for collaboration and learning beyond
our municipal boundaries.

Dr Kathy Alexander
CEO, City of Melbourne

Melbourne Bicycle Account 2008 3

 About our bicycle account Melbourne as a cycle friendly city

The City of Melbourne is committed to promoting and Space savings Cyclists’ have given the cycle-friendliness of the City of
supporting sustainable transport in the city. To ensure our This table shows the amount of land required per person Melbourne a six out of 10 rating for the second year in a row.
actions do promote and support the use of bicycles in the city, for different modes of transport. Given the number of survey participants doubled in 2008, this
we need to measure cycling activity and trends. Results show is positive result.
us what we do well and what we need to work on in the future. Land is a highly valued asset in an urban environment.
Bicycles take up less space so they can meet transport However, given that cyclists in other cities around the world
As with the 2007 version, the 2008 Melbourne Bicycle Account needs with minimal impact on land availability/real estate. (such as Copenhagen) give their cities an eight out of 10 rating
includes a summary of city cyclist behaviour, a snapshot of the for cycle-friendliness, the City of Melbourne acknowledges it
City of Melbourne’s actions in improving cyclist infrastructure Road space consumption per person still has some work to do.
and safety, as well as results from the City of Melbourne and
Bicycle Victoria’s joint 2008 Melbourne Bikescope Survey. These survey results confirm that more
Mode Speed (km/h) Standing/Parked (m2) Travelling (m2)
needs to be done to improve safety and the
Our first bicycle account was released in 2007 and has Pedestrian 5 0.5 1.8 convenience of cycling in Melbourne. These
received great interest from the Victorian community, as well Bicycle 15 1.8 4.6 results are an excellent tool for advocacy in
as from around Australia and overseas. Our bicycle account this area.
is based on the Copenhagen Bicycle Account, but has been Bus Passenger 50 1.8 7
adapted to Melbourne’s cycling culture of Melbourne. Car (slow) 50 3.7 140
Car (fast) 100 3.7 460

A cycle friendly city - the benefits Source: Litman, T. (2008) Evaluating Transportation Land Use Patterns Victoria
Transport Policy Institute. pg. 12

Transport for all

Cycling is one of the most cost effective transport modes
(beaten only by walking/running). Once the bike, lock and
helmet are purchased, the cost of maintaining and using a
bike is slight, especially when compared to motor car running
costs.

Energy savings
Most people would agree that riding a bike saves on fuel.
However not everyone would realise the energy savings made
through manufacturing bikes versus cars. The resources and
energy required to build a car are significantly higher than
those required to build a bicycle. So choosing a bike over a
car saves resources at the time of purchase as well as while
you’re on the road (or path).

Competition winner: Andrew Wilson

4
 What city cyclists say about cycling in Melbourne Average rating
(out of 10)
Super Tuesday Bike Count 2008
Is the City of Melbourne a cycle friendly area?
6 6

465

334
486

0
385
0

0
139
7
13 0
15 0
0
75

0
35

0
4
94
235 93

Do you feel safe riding your bike in the City of Melbourne?

274 in Mar’2007 342

137
8
249 in Mar’06 34 548
42

28

376
22
44

5 5

14
157

28
24
21

21
278
49 41 16 184
57 24
51 26
182

17

31
22
273
14

13
9
37
4 282
14 15 222

160
81

68
72
54

12
5
25
9

113
216
1
11 14

Do bike riders observe road rules?

17 30

833
27
204
306

6 6

654 * in Mar’06
430 * in Mar’06
30
0
97

193
11 11
10
31
27
28

167
21
14 18

0
99
23 18

185
34
107
106

Are cycling paths well designed?

21
168
24
28

5
6 6
34

24

24
27

9
30

25

17

224
52
54

28

291
100 47
109

548
98
34

16
139

230
170 119

93
126

15
101 149 69 63
98 56

35

318
40
16 135
21 123

488

15
10
44

63
Are cycling paths well maintained?

133
6 6

215

53
167
114

324

30

127
94

394
18
39 90 76
76 85 113

135
74 98
87

286
140

16
154

249
173

21
52

37

123
221 52

411

10
524
81

34
445

123
324
70

16
46

8
52
12
57 55

260
581
37

78

28
94

14
44

108
138
414

58

342
63

38
322
208 17

Are you happy with the amount and connectivity of the path network?
73

203
197 36 25

16
35

294

204
51 581 132
61 73 192199 156

87
36

6
171 182

33
189 185
71

60
182 192

414
11
90

15
249

329
203

63
5 5
768 104 160

102
245

45
146

22

45
117 22 22 11

50
622 171 137 80 117

100

124
in 77

8
455* Mar’07 87 63

57

25
in Ma 191 90

29
37

262
186

85
r’06 67

94
25

67
74
56

363
194 60

74
47 25

6
69

55

137
77
315

78

57
119
121 28
116
76
102

574
Is the City of Melbourne doing a good job providing for riders?

492

301
88

10
845

41
20
14 118 25
106
61

59
355

450
258 42 102

83
6 6
20

13
43
98

111

35
28

982
116
28 80
61 111 90
121 41 146

155

56
70

82
23
44

7
43

39
39 39 91 87

132
109
29 42 108 131

68
120
148

69
39

231

45
30

66
24

10
26

40

707
51

56
148

463
20

44
10

613

436
99

94
33 34
3 in

2008 2007

16
72
396
Mar

90
119 22

104
’200 55

620
7

355
22 177
149
3

15
20
940
318 in
779 Mar’2

28
in Ma 007

10
4
r’06

89
52 11 11
45
47

6
14
295 41

12
Ratings: 0 = strongly disagree 10 = strongly agree

27
19

5
25
2
10
44 4
59

13
20

26

14
81

92

85
52
11 64

300
616
18

18
12
20 7
’200

16

97
Mar

42
21
60 44 in ’06
83
9 Mar

22

14
18

127
51

61
127
14 54 49 * in

75
4 50

161
10

27
61

11
2

4
9

15
19 49 48 189 2

3
45
11

853 * in
15 34 41

25

497
17

* in Mar
19
131

71

4
249

2
174

5
76

0
18
12
34

43
8
Melbourne Bicycle Account

12
4
14 15

17
49

75
49

227
48

135
18 20

7
4 0

13
12 12 48
11

24

55
38

35
27 20

44
117

130
223
35
27 3
45 13
4

14
21
48 13

0
27 9

32
170

23
11
148 31 13
19

6
1
0

20
5

14
15 5
8

29

17
23 8

5
143
1

8
3
1

16
4
14

110
20

17

173
11

101
The 2008 Melbourne Bicycle Account survey asked

99
19 22
67 25

15
67

168
29

93
12

26
10
3 5
79 25 17

105
22

24
22
32
48

13
participants to rate aspects of cycling in Melbourne out of 10.
256 20

23
38

14

9
31
71

8
7 12

28
93

18
44 37

2
26

th-9

456

41
340

18
kepa
5

24
23
41
14

28
m bi

15
88
4
31
16

fro

177
35
436

70
17
24
74
85

27
158

14
More than 4,000 cyclists participated in the 2008 survey –

55
29

=
28

=
= 69
=

51
61
=

1
9

30
=

10
7

=
18

=
13

12
4
55
5

8
4

16
double the number of participants in 2007. This in itself is quite

18
3
11

179
14

41

5
13

6
468
7

49
12

22
33

42
80 14
22

56
2 15
35

175
78

13
70 28 70

35

38
31
66

16
an achievement, and highlights the keen interest our cyclists
5 27

403

5
10

38
77 10

33
22 29

75

6
1
30 20
98

22
20

17
7
102
95 22
20
103

8
have in helping Melbourne become a better city for cycling.

1
14

24
93

6
87
11
12
6

31

16
14

9
8

110

19
10

8
76

36
75

Countsite
41 24 51

31
12
140
46
61
This table shows the average ratings Melbourne cyclists gave

97

29
36 28

Vicroads counter loop

62 68

79

25
to various elements of city cycling.

20
21
274
36

18
37 33
38
18 40 36

16
20
Inbound bike rider numbers
18

275

16
Outbound bike rider numbers

Directional rider numbers

20
313
39
57

Source: Bicycle Victoria

59
12

14
242
Melbourne Bicycle Account 2008 5
 Summary Cyclist behaviour 2008 2007
Number of inbound cyclists on cycling arterials in morning peak:
The Melbourne Bicycle Account is published annually, Swanston Street, corner of LaTrobe Street 414 366
reporting on three key aspects of cycling:
Albert Street, corner of Gisbourne Street 182 171
• Cyclist behaviour Footscray Road, corner of Docklands Drive 768 622
• Overall cycling statistics Princess Bridge 982 803
• Cycling infrastructure and safety
Canning Street, corner of Princess Street 690 654
This table is a summary of cycling in Melbourne in 2008, Yarra River, North Bank, adjacent to Gosch’s Paddock 1108 940
with 2007 figures provided for comparison. Yarra River, South Bank adjacent to Alexandra Gardens 398 343
Overall cycling 2008 2007 2006
Bikes as a percentage of vehicles in the central
9% 8% 4%
1. ‘Central city’ includes the central business district, Docklands, and Southbank. city1 between 7am and 10am
2. 2008 figures show accidents/injuries between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2008 only.
Cycling infrastructure and safety 2008 2007 2006
Sources:
Pedestrian/cyclist shared lanes 66km 63km 61km
• Cyclist behaviour – Bicycle Victoria Super Tuesday bike counts and Vic Roads
bicycle path loop counter data; On-road cycle lane 51km 50km 47km
• Overall cycling statistics – City of Melbourne data;
• Cyclists injured in road accidents in the City of Melbourne – VicRoads CrashStats. On-road green painted cycle lane 0.7km 0.5 km 0.3km
(20 locations) (15 locations) (8 locations)
‘Copenhagen’ cycle lane 1km 1km 0km
Cycle track maintenance (AUD) $230,000 $230,000 $230,000
Cycling capital works (AUD) $2,300,000 $3,000,000 $2,390,000
On-street cycle parking spaces 1,450 1,330 1,220

Calculating cycle crashes Accidents and Safety

The cycling crash statistics are calculated based on
the average number of cyclists travelling to the City
of Melbourne. In March 2007, the average number of
cyclists commuting into the city each day was 4,767.
With 168 accidents recorded in 2007, this averages out
to 0.46 accidents per day. This means that 0.01 per cent
of all cyclists were involved in an accident in the City of
Melbourne municipality during 2007.
This figure of 0.01 per cent of cyclists injured will be our
baseline from which to measure our future success in
decreasing cycling accidents in our municipality.
The City of Melbourne is Victoria’s busiest municipality in
terms of cycling activity, with the number of cyclists on city
roads and paths increasing every year. Due to this high activity,
Melbourne also has a correspondingly significant accident rate.
As the city continues to grow as a centre for employment and
recreation, accidents and injuries are likely to remain an issue.
Cyclists injured in road accidents 2008 2007 2006 2005
in the City of Melbourne 882 168 144 155
The City of Melbourne is working to reduce areas of conflict
between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists (such as
Swanston and Collins streets in the central city) to help
reduce accidents and injuries.
Imminent safety improvements for Swanston Street include
removing tour buses. A new CBD location for the buses
is currently being assessed and will be effective as of late
November 2008.
Changes in behaviour by pedestrians and cyclists could
make a huge difference in improving accident/injury numbers.

6
More Cyclists than ever

The number of people riding into to the city in the mornings cyclists ride into the city between 7am – 10am in 2008,
has increased by 43% in the last year. According to recent compared to 4,767 riding in the same morning peak period
City of Melbourne traffic surveys an average of 6,806 in 2007.

Competition winner: Catherine Goh

Encouraging slower cycling and greater community awareness
of cycling as a normal transport mode will greatly influence
how people interact on the street, and therefore improve on
street safety. In 2009 the City of Melbourne will develop a
series of safety messages aimed at reinforcing safe cycling
culture.

The City of Melbourne aims to decrease cycling accidents by a

minimum of 10 per cent every year, relative to the numbers of
cyclists.

Melbourne Bicycle Account 2008 7

 Rathdowne Street; a new kind of quality

In mid-2008, the cycling path along Rathdowne Street in

Carlton, between Victoria Street and Princes Street, was
upgraded as a high quality bike route.

The existing on-road bike lanes were treated with a green

surface colouring and ‘vibra-line’ lane marking.

Vibra-line is commonly used on highways and freeways to alert

motorists through vibration if they start to drift off the road. On
Rathdowne Street, vibra-line lane markings will alert drivers and
cyclists alike if they move outside their respective road space.
The new lane markings also create an audible alert, working
in conjunction with visual markings and surface colouring to
reinforce the bike lane’s presence.

With these new measures in place, Rathdowne Street has been

transformed into one of the city’s highest quality cycling routes.

Bike parking at Lygon Court, Carlton

New bike racks have been installed outside Lygon Court on

Lygon Street, Carlton. Bike parking space demand is extremely
high in the area, given its proximity to cinemas, shopping and
cafes/restaurants.

The City of Melbourne has responded to high demand by

handing two car parking bays over to cyclists. Seven bike
parking hoops have been installed in these specially modified
parking bays.

Space for two vehicles (cars) has been transformed into space
for 14 vehicles (bikes).

8
 City of Melbourne
Cycle Friendly Projects

The City of Melbourne is undertaking numerous cycle-friendly

projects during 2008-09, including:

Separate Bike Lanes

Albert Street, East Melbourne, between Nicholson and
Clarendon streets.

High Quality on-road Bike Lanes

Rathdowne Street, Carlton, between Victoria and Princess
streets.

Cycling and Pedestrian Bridge

Crossing Manningham Street, Parkville, linking the east and
west sections of the Capital City Trail.

Road Hazards Online

Creating an online road/path hazard reporting form for cyclists.

Central City Bicycle Links

Strengthen existing bicycle links along La Trobe Street and
William Street.

Cycling Facilities
Review demand for bike parking in the central city (including
Southbank and Docklands) and assess potential locations as
Manningham Bridge Redevelopment bike parking/facility centres.

In 2008, the City of Melbourne began the construction of a new

cycle/pedestrian bridge at Manningham Street in Parkville. When
complete, the bridge will link the east and west sides of the Capital
City Trail.

The bridge will allow cyclists and pedestrians to walk/ride safely

across Manningham Street, avoiding the traffic below.

The new bridge will be completed in early 2009.

Competition winner: Holly Shorland

Melbourne Bicycle Account 2008 9

 Riding frequency
Between 2007 and 2008 riding frequency patterns shifted
slightly.
This graph shows slightly more people are riding their bikes
one to three times per week, while slightly less people are
riding daily.
Staff/bike parking ratios
Our survey found that many large organisations do
not offer an adequate number of bike parking spaces
to employees. With 60 per cent of survey participants
working in organisations with more than 100 staff,
40 per cent of these worked at locations with less
than 10 bike parking spaces.

On-Road Route Improvements In 2009, the Transport Management Association

As part of the 2008 Melbourne Bikescope survey, participants
were asked to nominate one on-road route that needs
improvement.
More on-road routes were identified for improvement this year.
The routes most frequently mentioned were:
(made up of business, state and local government
representatives) will audit the availability of end-of-trip
facilities for cyclists in the central business district,
Docklands and Southbank. Audit results will identify
any shortfalls in bike parking and end-of-trip facilities,
and will help the City of Melbourne develop a targeted
response to improve current standards of cycling
facilities for commuters.

St Kilda Road: Singled out as the most need of improvement,

more than 10 per cent of survey participants commented on
St Kilda Road’s poor quality as a cycling route. The out-
bound lane has been highlighted as a serious issue as it has
deteriorated in quality after construction work.

Central business district bike lanes: These feature frequently

as areas for improvement. The need for a high quality east-
west route through the central business district is consistently
mentioned. Flinders Street needs attention (mentioned by five
per cent of participants) as does Collins Street (mentioned by
three per cent of participants).

Swanston Street: This street was mentioned by five per cent

of survey participants, down from 10 per cent in 2007.
A further decrease in cyclist concern is expected when tourist
bus parking is relocated in November 2008. However, as this
strip remains a focal point for pedestrian, tram and bicycle
activity in the city, safe and slow cycling will be continually
encouraged.

10
Bike parking in the city
As part of the 2008 Melbourne Bikescope survey,
participants were asked where they park their bikes
in the city. Responses included:
• 50 per cent said they parked their bikes in off-street
private bike parking facilities (such as their workplace)
• 20 per cent locked their bike to street furniture
• 17 per cent locked their bikes to City of Melbourne
bike hoops located around the city.
This year, our survey asked about the cyclist facilities
available to those who park their bike at work.
• More than 25 per cent said there was not adequate
bike parking at their workplace.
• Most (82 per cent) have access to showers
• Only 50 per cent have access to a locker.
Competition winner: Andrew Wilson
Bike plan 2007-2011
This Melbourne Bike Account 2008 – Cycling Census 2008
has been developed as part of the City of Melbourne Bicycle
Plan 2007-2001.
Our bicycle plan lists all the actions we will achieve each year
to 2011, with the mission of making Melbourne a first class
cycling city.
By 2011, the City of Melbourne aims to ensure our
municipality offers:
• well signed paths and roads that alert cyclists to potential
hazards and provide directions
• secure storage and parking facilities, conveniently placed
for cyclists;
• safe paths and roads that are separated from motor
vehicles wherever possible
• a municipal bicycle network, connected by a range of on-
road and off-road paths that is also connected to roads and
paths in the broader metropolitan area.
Competition winner: Jessica Cerejio
Melbourne Bicycle Account 2008 11
For more information on Bikescope,
please visit www.bikescope.com.au

Do you have a question for the City of

Melbourne? Call and speak to us.

Soomaali

© City of Melbourne
October 2008
GPO Box 1603M
Melbourne Victoria 3001

Hotline (03) 9658 9658

TTY (03) 9658 9461
Please provide any feedback to
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/contactus
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

This is a publication of Melbourne City

Council. Printed on Recycled Paper.