About 250 cyclists are using Hobart’s new Argyle and Campbell Street bike lanes each weekday, but issues flagged before the project opened remain unresolved a year on.
A 12-month review of the $1.725 million corridor shows the Hobart City Council has still been unable to secure a towing contractor to remove vehicles illegally parked in clearways.
Parking officers have issued more than 180 infringements for clearway violations, but without towing capability, enforcement remains limited to fines.
The council says it has attempted multiple tender processes and held direct negotiations with local operators, but none were willing to provide the service.
Tasmania Police said the enforcement gap was undermining the project’s goals.
“As outlined in our earlier correspondence, the absence of an effective enforcement mechanism compromises both traffic flow and emergency response capability,” Inspector John Toohey wrote last month.
“We reiterate that the engagement of a tow service and consistent enforcement are essential to achieving the intended outcomes of this project.”
The review found the protected lanes have recorded no cyclist crashes since opening, with more than 6,000 trips made through the CBD each month.
Overall reported crash rates have also fallen, with Argyle Street dropping from 3.22 crashes per month to 2.1.
The project introduced a dedicated bicycle traffic signal at the Liverpool Street and Campbell Street intersection, giving cyclists a protected green phase while restricting right-turning vehicles.
Council officers said the treatment had been “extremely well received” by cyclists and pedestrians and had delivered a “significant safety improvement”.
Some motorists initially complained about waiting at red lights late at night when few cyclists were present, but officers said no further complaints had been received after the first month.
Cycling groups offered cautious praise while raising concerns about aspects of the design.
Bicycle Network Tasmania manager Alison Hetherington said the lanes had encouraged more people to ride but warned some sections running alongside parked cars felt unsafe.
“The short sections of separated lanes next to parked cars are too narrow to feel really comfortable because of car door risk,” she said.
Cycling South executive officer Mary McParland described the lanes as “a significant addition” to Hobart’s cycling network.
She said the buffer along Campbell Street was “tight” for cyclists and suggested banning car parking on the right-hand side of the street to allow the bike lane to be widened.
It was also suggested parking be removed entirely along the 80-metre section of Campbell Street between Macquarie and Davey streets in favour of three traffic lanes at all times.
Traffic data shows no major increase in vehicle travel times since the lanes opened.
The project, fully funded by the state government’s vulnerable road user program, was delivered under budget.
The review will be presented to councillors at a workshop meeting on Monday.
Officers have recommended the project move from trial status to ongoing operation, with the unresolved clearway towing issue flagged for further discussions.
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