The Victorian Greens have called on the state government to invest in a safe bike network for Melbourne as part of its economic response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The network would consist of over 300 kilometres of separated bike lanes and create around 5,000 much-needed jobs in engineering, construction and manufacturing.
The network would include a 20-kilometre bike superhighway running from Coburg to Elsternwick which could be fast-tracked with temporary infrastructure to create more immediate space for cycling in response to COVID-19.
Victorians Greens spokesperson for transport, Sam Hibbins, said the plan would see Melbourne become a world-class city for cycling like Paris, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.
The Greens previously secured Australia’s biggest ever investment in cycle-ways in 2009 as part of negotiations to pass the Rudd Government’s economic stimulus package in response to the GFC.
The safe bike network for Melbourne forms part of a Green New Deal for Victoria, which the Greens plan to launch in the coming weeks.
As stated by Victorian Greens spokesperson for transport, Sam Hibbins MP:
“Building over 300 kilometres of separated bike lanes and paths – including a bike superhighway – would create around 5,000 jobs in engineering, construction and manufacturing.
“Bike infrastructure projects are an ideal investment to assist in economic recovery because they create more jobs than stand-alone road projects due to being more labour intensive.
“A safe bike network for Melbourne would make riding a bike safer for everyone as well as cut congestion on our roads, reduce carbon emissions and improve people’s health.
“A bike superhighway can carry more than double the number of people than a single lane of traffic and is essential to prevent a congestion crisis on our roads when restrictions ease.”
