The Hobart City Council will workshop a revised plan for bike lanes on Collins Street as it tries to balance divided community opinions ahead of a public meeting.
The proposed new ‘sharrows’ approach would apply between Murray and Victoria streets only and result in parking spaces and loading zones being retained.
Council officers note that this stretch is “markedly different” from other parts of the road due to its retail and commercial activity.
Instead of installing separated bike lanes on both sides of the road, cyclists will share the street with vehicles under a reduced speed limit of 30km/h.
Council documents acknowledge that while cyclists support the lower speed limit, many would still prefer separated cycle lanes along the entire length of the street.
Local businesses argue that preserving street-front parking is crucial for attracting and retaining customers.
The recommended approach involves “trialling a shared low speed zone with some bicycle safety and amenity improvements” while preserving the current road layout.
A formal report on the plan will be presented at a council meeting later this month, following a workshop on Monday.
The City of Hobart has scheduled a public meeting for March 25 on the bike lane project after more than 1,000 locals signed a petition calling for further discussion.
Both cyclists and opponents are expected to attend in large numbers as a potential elector poll on the issue looms.
