News Article

Cycling is rising in popularity in Melbourne during the Covid-19 lockdown, with one in three people vowing not to return to public transport.

The finding emerged as part of Bicycle Network’s recent survey into the commuting preferences of over 1000 Australians during the pandemic.

Bicycle Network spokesperson Alexander Miller says that Melbournians are relying on cycling more than ever.

“The increase in bike riding during coronavirus restrictions has shown that people want to ride bikes. For them to do it every day we just need to make it easier,” he said.

“We have a golden opportunity to transform Melbourne into the bike city that so many people want it to become.”

Miller says we must act now to avoid a traffic congestion disaster when restrictions ease.

“Right now we need to get easy and comfortable bike routes into the CBD ready for when people start going back to work,” he said.

“Our Bicycle Network survey has shown that one in three people who took public transport before coronavirus no longer want to do so. We need to make sure those people choose a bike instead of a car when coronavirus restrictions begin to end.”

According to City of Melbourne’s Transport Strategy 2030, traffic congestion is forecast to cost Greater Melbourne more than $10 billion by 2030.

To mitigate this financial burden City of Melbourne will deliver 44 kilometres of bike lanes over the next four years.

News of the expedited capital project is welcomed by avid cyclist and Moonee Ponds resident Jaryd Stobaus, who relies solely on cycling to move around.

“Before Melbourne, I used to live in Europe and London for a time. European cities are the dream for cyclists,” he said.

“Northern Europe, Denmark, areas like that, they’ve got separated roads and traffic signals for cyclists and double-story parking facilities just for bikes. Melbourne has a way to go yet.”

Despite this, Mr Stobaus will continue cycling in the city and is one of many Melbournians vowing to avoid public transport after lockdown.

“No one likes a packed tram in the morning. I mean, there is the question as to whether it’s even appropriate at the moment, given everything that is going on.”

Compulsory face masks, temperature checks, and limited passenger numbers are some of the measures adopted by cities around the world to minimise the risk of transmission on public transport.

At this stage, it is unknown if similar measures will be adopted in Melbourne.