Whats the go with the new lane markings? (High St, Prahran)

[takai]

Ok, ive been away for a while, but got back and was riding the normal commute, and saw that they have ripped up the dedicated cycle lane on High St in favour of this pansy line marking:




What is the go here? Seems to be a significant step back from the continuous markings that they have replaced. In these two photos you can clearly see where they have torn up the old markings.

Seems to be across council boundaries too, as it continues in to the MCC part of High St, and not just the Stonnington part.

Tried contacting BNV and Stonnington privately and have had absolutely no response. Posting publicly now.

[takai]

FWIW BN post: https://www.facebook.com/BicycleNetwork ... 1231955944

[Gerry.M]

I'm glad they've ripped out what was there - it was a woeful attempt at a bike lane.
Was only slightly wider than my bars (maybe 500mm in total?) so forced you right into the gutter and was built across every lump and access panel along the road. Surely not complaint the way it was.

As far as I understand what they have now is a "Recommended" bike lane which I tend to ignore and just ride wide of it.
The traffic is never moving that fast along that part of High St so I don't have any issue with doing so.

[ironhanglider]

The times I go along High street, either version is only visible if you go crawling under the parked cars.

No markings at all are safer for cyclists than bad lanes.

Cheers,

Cameron

[il padrone]

It is NOT a bike lane. This marking is used on Boronia Road near me. It indicates simply a widened kerbside lane, wide enough that motor vehicles MAY be able to share the lane with bicycles, subject to traffic conditions. On High Street this would mean parked cars, trams and stopping vehicles.

You are not obligated to keep within the demarcation guideline (it has no legal status), and always, overtaking vehicles must keep clear.

[takai]

So the BNV website touting it as a full bike lane is full of it then.

IMHO these markings are worse than none at all.

[il padrone]

So the BNV website touting it as a full bike lane is full of it then.

Yep.

Do a Google-search for "Vicroads, widened kerb-side lanes"

IMHO these markings are worse than none at all.

Actually, no. My experience (riding past these almost daily) is that motorists seem to have a belief* that they are some sort of bike lane, and generally respect them and stay clear of that space. This is generally helpful.


* This has been stated to me by various driver friends.