Critical Mass North
Riding in Melbourne North shouldn’t be spooky but here we are
Protest for safe bike lanes - Ride, scoot, skate
Critical Mass North: Spooky Edition: it's time to dress spooky, riding in Melbourne's north shouldn't be scary but here we are! We plan to ride from State Library to All Nations Park, Northcote.
Start: 5.30pm: State Library, Friday 27th October 2023
Pick up point: about 6pm (ish), Park Street Reserve, Fitzroy North
Riding from the southern suburbs? Ride with Port Phillip BUG, 5pm from St Kilda Town Hall
End: All Nations Park, Northcote
Co-hosted by Streets Alive Darebin, Streets Alive Yarra, and Yarra Bicycle Users Group
Download poster (pdf)
Keep Critical Mass fun + Advocacy Starter Kit (two leaflets per A4, double-sided pdf)
Critical Mass North: Spotify playlist bring your on-bike sound system!
Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio on 3CR: Chris talks to Sally and Ruth from Streets Alive Darebin about Critical Mass North: Spooky Edition that calls upon Darebin Council and the Victorian Government to invest in safe separate bike lanes along High Street and re-instate the Streets for People investment program.
What is Critical Mass?
Critical Mass bike protests are organised rides that aim to raise awareness about cycling as a viable form of transportation and to advocate for better infrastructure and safety measures for cyclists and other mobility users.
We ride as a group, to form a "critical mass", making the ride safe, family friendly, and inclusive to all.
Take Action
Everyone can help make our streets safer, being an advocate is something everyone can do, read below for actions you can take today:
Streets Alive Yarra: Become a champion in your area
Build kerbside protected bike lanes on Johnston St from Kew to Carlton!
Yarra Council: Building a safer Wellington Street
Yarra Council: Testing improvements to Yarra’s cycling network
Yarra Council: Transport Action Plan
Our call - Support the Streets for People Report
We are calling upon Darebin Council and the Victorian Government to invest in safe separate bike lanes along High Street and re-instate the Streets for People investment program (Streets for People Report done by the Hansen Partnership and Martyn Group 2018 can be downloaded here) to deliver safe cycling across Darebin.
The Streets for People report lists the top 8 cycling routing and steps to improve safety and connectivity in Darebin. Below is draft email for you to send to Councillors – modify it to suit your experience.
Dear Darebin Councillors
It is now Council’s opportunity to make real improvements along High Streets and to lobby for the capital funding of the new accessible tram stops.
Council can leverage action by the Victorian Government to deliver in partnership the following improvements along High Street:
Accessible tram stops
Enable easy access to trams for users of all ages and abilities, including those using mobility aids as well as pushers & prams. Trams shelters design for shade and rain protection.
Separation - for safety
Separate bike lanes can be incorporated into the tram stop design. Separated bike lanes provide a safety buffer between parked cars and bicycle lane users, preventing cyclist deaths from dangerous 'dooring' crashes.
Wider footpaths along High Street
Provides an opportunity for re-planting this important economic and social corridor. Street trees provide shade, increase biodiversity and reduce on-street temperatures on hot days.
Pedestrian friendly design
Traffic reduction and reallocation of on-street parking provides a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape. Ensure that pedestrian can across at key points along High Street – there are a number of stops with no crossing and the new Tram stops provide council with the opportunity to ensure these are added in.
Intersection safety
Intersections along High Street urgently need safety upgrades to prevent crashes and pedestrian deaths. Council can work with DTP to improve pedestrian safety – particular at intersections and crossing point near schools and shops.
There have been 3 pedestrian deaths at Separation/High St in the last 10 years*.
*Source: https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/online-crash-database/
Darebin councillors’ emails:
Cr Susan Rennie – South Central Ward: Susan.Rennie@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Lina Messina – Central Ward: Lina.Messina@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Trent McCarthy – South West Ward: Trent.McCarthy@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Tim Laurence – North East Ward: Tim.Laurence@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Tom Hannan – South Ward: Tom.Hannan@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Gaetano Greco - North West Ward: Gaetano.Greco@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Emily Dimitriadis – South East Ward: Emily.Dimitriadis@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Susanne Newton (Deputy Mayor) – West Ward: Susanne.Newton@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cr Julie Williams (Mayor) – North Central Ward: Julie.Williams@darebin.vic.gov.au