Time to remove cars from Melbourne’s Sydney Road.
One of the interesting details the ABC shows is that retailers along the strip significantly overestimate the percentage of customers who arrive by car.
While retailers assume nearly two-thirds of customers drive to their stores, the real figure is closer to 30%.
Already, just under 70% of customers either walk, catch public transport, or cycle.
Most of those who drive to businesses in the area park in one of the 2000 parking spots off Sydney road, rather than the 450 on the road itself.
Meanwhile, the lack of a dedicated protected bike lane makes it far less attractive to cyclists. The cars significantly slow down trams. And the exhaust fumes make it unpleasant for pedestrians.
#auspol #vicpol #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #cycling #PublicTransport #Melbourne #Brunswick @fuck_cars @urbanism
@ajsadauskas @fuck_cars as someone who lives just off sydney rd - strong co-sign. and a cyclist was hit by a car a died in sydney rd not that long ago. fewer cars could mean more frequent tram service as well.
@ajsadauskas @fuck_cars although most people park off the street because there isn’t enough parking in sydney rd itself - as you’d expect - but that does mean less parking for people who live within a few blocks (and that’s mostly residential). and let’s do the same for lygon st. but it has to be combined with increased public transport services - frequency on the upfield line is abysmal, and need better buses too - otherwise it’s likely to push a lot of that car traffic to nicholson or melville rd.
@crumbleneedy @fuck_cars To a big extent, the public transport issue solves itself if cars are removed from Sydney Road.
The biggest cause of delays for trams along Sydney Road is cars.
Run trams in dedicated lanes with traffic light priority at intersections, and suddenly they’re moving a lot faster.
(It’s worth noting that many tram routes were faster in the 1890s than today, because they weren’t slowed down by cars.)