Lack of bike parking at railway stations frustrates cyclists

By JOEL MURUGIAH

Cyclists in Melbourne’s west are fuming over a severe lack of bike parking facilities at train stations along the Werribee railway line.

According to Bicycle Network Victoria, the line has the greatest unmet demand for bike parking facilities across the entire Melbourne railway network.

Cyclists are forced to lock their bikes to staircase railings and fences because there is not enough space available to park their bikes, despite the provision of Parkiteer bike cages at other stations.

Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Gary Brennan said authorities had misjudged demand for bike cages along the line.

“There are some stations where there are bike cages and there are only five bikes in them every day," he said.

"Meanwhile there are other places where the cages are full every day and you’d need two or even three cages to cater to the number of people who want them.

"We have very long waiting lists at some stations.” 

Christine Morris of the Western Women’s Bicycle Users Group has witnessed the extent of the problem.

“I have counted over 30 bicycles locked along fences at Williams Landing Station while I’ve been on the train, and that’s only bicycles I can see from the train,” she said.

However, Mr Brennan said some people chose not to park their bikes inside the Parkiteer cages even though there may be space available.

“Some people just choose to lock up in the street. I wish I knew why when there’s a free bike cage there for them to use and keep their bikes safe and secure, but some people won’t use them.”

Ms Morris said this was because some cyclists found the cages difficult to use.

“The door is very heavy to open and, as I often have heavy pannier bags on my bike, I frequently need several attempts to get it inside. Sometimes I drop it. I think they need something to lean your bike against while you open the door.”

Although Ms Morris said she believed the solution to the problem was to build more Parkiteer bike cages, she said it was difficult to persuade authorities to do so.

“Bicycle users and other minority groups are often ignored compared to the loud and powerful roads lobby," she said.

"People think car parks are the answer to congestion at stations, instead of being a bit radical and using their bodies for what they’re designed for and moving.” 

Mr Brennan said proper planning in expanding the number of bike cages should be the top priority for the government.

“We don’t necessarily need a huge increase in the number of cages if we put them in the right places," he said.

"At Bicycle Network, we don’t decide where the cages go, we just operate them. But I think PTV and the Government needs to do a better job of assessing where the demand is and where the cages are needed the most so they can prioritise where they are installed.”