A Hobart city councillor has accused the council of “misleading” the public about the impact of bike lanes on traffic in the CBD.
In a social media post, the City of Hobart claimed that “adding bike lanes has minimal impact on car travel times”.
That claim was based on a 2022 study by Swinburne University, which looked at bike lanes in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale.
“Using traffic simulations, researchers determined that adding separated bike lanes increases car travel time by less than 10 seconds per kilometre – comparable to waiting at a red light,” the council said.
“The study also highlighted that well-planned bike infrastructure can provide safer transport options without significantly affecting overall traffic flow.”
Councillor Louise Elliot called the post “bike lane propaganda” that made her “very unhappy”.
“A study somewhere else does not categorically confirm that Hobart’s bike lanes are not having any impact on Hobart’s traffic flow,” she said.
She said she would only change her stance if presented with “comprehensive and impartial evidence that proves that all of Hobart’s bike lanes are not in any way adding to traffic issues in Hobart”.
The collection of some of that evidence began last year with the installation of traffic counters over bike lanes in the CBD.
The data collected, which will show the exact number of cyclists using the bike lanes, is yet to be made public.
Bike lanes are now fixtures on Campbell, Liverpool, Argyle and Bathurst streets, with Collins Street next in line.
Hobart ratepayers and local businesses are currently pursuing a petition for a public meeting and a potential elector poll on the installation of proposed lanes on Collins Street.
