Consultation on this phase of the project is now closed.

More than 1,000 cyclists and 10,000 motorists travel on Elizabeth Street every day.

We wanted to make this safer and more liveable for our community and improve access to sustainable travel options.

The temporary trial of dedicated bike lanes in Elizabeth Street separated cyclists from moving traffic and parked cars. The aim was to make this stretch of road safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

The longer-term vision for the street includes street furniture upgrades and other improvements, such as further planting of shade canopy street trees.

A greener Elizabeth Street

We’ve already planted more than 40 new trees in Elizabeth Street, providing shady green canopy cover over the longer term.

Now that the bike lanes are permanent, the final design will include a further 30 shade trees planted within the safety buffer zones.

Working with you

Over the trial period, the community had the opportunity to try it and see before any permanent decisions were made. Throughout the trial period we were listening carefully to your feedback as well as conducting regular traffic studies.

First report to Council – September 2020

On 15 September, Council received a report on the project, which included detailed information about the feedback we're hearing from our community. Council resolved at this meeting to continue with the trial for the remainder of the 12 months. It also resolved to:

  • allow for adjustments, and refinements with further assessment at end of the trial period
  • note the officer report, the analysis provided to date, the material provided in the attachments, the commentary of the local community as reproduced in Attachment 3, and comments received at the Council meeting
  • additionally ask officers to prepare the next quarterly report for new Council, which includes community and resident consultation including materials in language, which proposes the options outlined in this Report for feedback, if viable and including new information from the DoT Guidelines.

Download and view the minutes and final resolution from the meeting.

Report to Council - December 2021

A further report was provided to Council including detailed community feedback. Council resolved to continue the trial for a further 12 months noting its location on a strategic cycling route to and from the CBD and the significantly changed travel patterns in the 18 months to date caused by various COVID pandemic lock downs.

Council also resolved to:

  • retain the layout and configuration of the project as it currently exists including the specific width of the cycling lanes to provide lanes with maximum safety and passing manoeuvres on a strategic cycling route;
  • assess the suitability of establishing a temporary and or permanent (post trial) pedestrian crossing at Shelley Street, and to liaise with senior officers at the Department of Transport seeking to facilitate as deemed appropriate;
  • assess the suitability of improving lighting to both Regent Street and Shelley Street, between Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, and to either facilitate this or engage with/ advocate to the responsible authority to facilitate this, if and as deemed appropriate;
  • liaise with senior State Government officials regarding the pending North Richmond Master Plan, which includes Elizabeth Street, and other relevant committees to advocate for improvements to local streets in this area regarding safety and amenity, as well as broader public realm enhancements; and to
  • continue a program of data collection and survey work, arrange further engagement targeting the CALD community and to continue to monitor the your Say Yarra page.

Read the full report and minutes of the December 2021 Council meeting.

Report to Council – Tuesday 18 April 2023

A further report was provided to Council including detailed community feedback and options on the future of the bike lanes.

Council resolved to retain the protected bicycle lanes on Elizabeth Street and leave the existing temporary protected bicycle lane infrastructure, conducting necessary maintenance and cleaning as appropriate. This includes maintenance for the bollards, plastic strips and road surface.

Council also resolved to explore funding opportunities for the following items as part of the adjacent Homes Victoria redevelopment project:

  • partial or full road re-sheeting of Elizabeth Street;
  • the installation of permanent protected bike lanes (using concrete kerbs etc.); and
  • other complimentary street works (trees, pedestrian crossings etc.).

Read the full report and minutes of the April 2023 Council meeting using this link..