Yarra has long supported walking, biking, and place making
The City of Yarra has a long history of supporting walking, biking, public transport, trees, and place making, dating back to before Yarra was created in 1994, demonstrating that council is responding to broad, long-term community support for such initiatives.
1929
The Plan of General Development, commissioned by the Metropolitan Town Planning Commission, stated that on-street parking was becoming a problem, attributable to the increasing use of the motor vehicle.
Motorists had enjoyed a fairly long period prior to the introduction of regulations during which they became accustomed to parking their vehicles at the kerbside, and some have come to regard this facility as a moral obligation on the part of the authorities to preserve for them an area in which they may leave their cars.
1940s and 1950s
In Struggletown, author Janet McCalman reported on the numbers of children being killed, and efforts to protect children as they crossed the road:
1960s
The Melbourne Transportation Study (1969) that the accomodation of unattended stationary conveyances has posed problems since 1837, and indicated that the problem was only going to get worse as the number of registered vehicles increased.
1970s
The Cities of Collingwood and Fitzroy installed several modal filters, including:
- 1975: City of Collingwood, modal filter on Vere Street, between Harmsworth St and Hoddle St
- 1977: City of Collingwood, modal filter on Page Street, outside Clifton Hill Primary School
- 1979: City of of Fitzroy, modal filter on Noone Street, outside Atherton Gardens
- 1979: City of Fitzroy, modal filter on Napier Street, at Alexandra Parade
1980s
The Cities of Melbourne (on streets that flow through Yarra) and Fitzroy installed several modal filters, including:
- 1980: City of Melbourne, modal filter on Canning Street, at Princes Street (now the Canning and Neill Reserve)
- 1980: City of Melbourne, modal filter on Canning Street, at Curtain Street
- 1981: City of Melbourne, modal filter on Canning Street, at Lee Street
- 1982: City of Fitzroy, modal filter on Napier Street, at Fitzroy Primary School
- 1985: City of Melbourne, modal filter on Canning Street, at MacPherson Street
- 1985: City of Melbourne, modal filter on Drummond Street, at Fenwick Street
- 1987: City of Fitzroy, modal filter on Napier Street, at Victoria Parade
The City of Fitzroy supported a residential street speed limit of 40 km/h:
The City of Richmond conducted a parking review, responding to the “problems being experienced by residents and business people in Richmond”; and began efforts to discourage through-traffic.
1993
The Cities of Collingwood and Richmond developed a Strategic Bike Plan, which recommended establishing “a network of routes”, a community-based bicycle committee, and hiring a part-time bicycle co-ordinator to deal with the implementation of the plan.
The legitimacy of the bicycle as an on-road travel mode and not just a recreational vehicle is now endorsed by the National Bicycle Strategy, the Victorian Bicycle Strategy, and in strategy documents of both Collingwood and Richmond Councils. The cyclist has a right to use every street and should be catered for accordingly.
1994
The City of Yarra was established on 22 June 1994, by amalgamating the former Cities of Richmond, Collingwood, and Fitzroy (and some of the former City of Northcote). Democratically elected Councils returned in 1996.
1995
Yarra Bicycle User Group, or YarraBUG, was formed.
In October 1995 the Gardiners Creek Bridge was officially opened to fill the gap in the Yarra Bike Path. YarraBUG supplied some of the cyclists to be first over the bridge for the cameras.
YarraBUG website
1995-96
Council invested in bike infrastructure.
1996 Traffic Management Study
Council commissioned a Traffic Management Study, which recommended encouraging walking, biking, and public transport, moderating car use, discouraging through traffic from local streets, improving safety, and creating more attractive streetscapes.
1996-97
Council launched the first Yarra Bicycle Map, developed with the Yarra Bicycle Users Group and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
1998-99
Council invested in traffic management, and developed a parking strategy for Fitzroy.
2000
Council announced that Yarra is “All Parked Out”, as it prepared to develop a parking strategy:
2001
Council adopted the ‘Our Future 2010’ vision for the city, including actions to reduce car dependency.
Council is committed to creating a sustainable, safe, convenient, and efficient transport system in Yarra. It is working cooperatively with the State Government to provide effective and high quality access to frequent public transport. This, along with the increased investment in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, will contribute to reducing car dependency. Traffic and parking will continue to be managed in a fair and equitable manner that supports a sustainable transport system and Council’s social and economic goals.
Our Future 2010 City Vision
2003-04
Council completed several new bicycle projects.
2005
Council adopted a policy to encourage and increase walking:
2006
Council began changing local streets from 50 km/h to 40 km/h:
Council adopted an Open Space Strategy with a gap analysis, showing where new open space was required.
2008-09
We continue to strongly encourage alternatives to car travel, by providing practical measures including improved bicycle paths and bicycle parking hoops. Our bike network has been expanded with record numbers of people using bicycles as their primary mode of transport to and from work. We are making our streets more ‘walkable’ through upgrading footpaths and crossings, and landscaping.
Excerpt from 2008-09 Annual Report
2009
Council converted a section of Barkly Avenue into green open space, to join two halves of the park.
2009-10
Council continues to advocate for reducing the speed limit on local streets to 40 km/h to make Yarra safer for residents and road users…The City of Yarra now has 40 km/h speed limits in 70% of streets across the municipality…
Excerpt from 2009-10 Annual Report, highlighting focus on traffic calming.
2010-11
…The City of Yarra now has 40 km/h speed limits in 80% of streets across the municipality…
Excerpt from 2010-11 Annual Report, highlighting focus on traffic calming.
Council opened the Peel Street pocket park.
2011-12
2013
Council opened the Oxford Street pocket park.
2013-14
Council won a commendation from the Transport Accident Commission for implementing 40 km/h on all local roads in the municipality, at the inaugural Towards Zero Road Safety Awards. The change to 40 km/h was correlated with an increase in the number of people biking.
Yarra commissioned an annual count of the number of cyclists…there has been a clear annual expansion of cycling in Yarra since 2005.
Excerpt from 2013-14 Annual Report.
2014-15
Council opened the Richmond Terrace pocket park:
Council constructed protected bike lanes on the southern section of Wellington Street, Collingwood.
2016
Council adopted the Safe Travel Strategy 2016-2026, a plan to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2026:
2018-19
Council began a trial of 30 km/h in the northern areas of Fitzroy and Collingwood.
2019-20
Council extended protected bike lanes on Wellington Street, Collingwood.
2020-21
Council began a trial of protected bike lanes on Elizabeth Street, Richmond.
2022
Council adopted an ambitious, evidence-based transport strategy:
2023
Council voted to make the Elizabeth Street bike lanes permanent, expanded the 30 km/h trial to cover all of Collingwood and Fitzroy, and opened the expanded Cambridge Street Reserve:
2024
Council opened the Otter Street pocket park: