Imagine this: You're a cyclist, heart pounding, as a truck barrels past, way too close for comfort. This is the reality for many cyclists navigating the busy streets of Footscray Road. But a game-changer has arrived! A brand new 2.5-kilometer veloway is set to transform the cycling experience.
Even cycling legend Cadel Evans, one of Australia’s most celebrated cyclists, knows the feeling all too well. He’s experienced those terrifying near misses with vehicles. But now, there's a solution.
The Dixon Veloway, a dedicated path for cyclists, soars above Footscray Road, offering a safer alternative for commuters in Melbourne's west. This 'green snake' stretches from Shepherd Bridge in Footscray to Moonee Ponds Creek in West Melbourne. It allows cyclists to bypass the truck-filled streets near the city's port.
Tragically, this route has seen fatalities. In February 2023, cyclist Angus Collins, 22, lost his life after being struck by a truck at the Dock Link Road intersection.
Evans highlights the discouraging nature of sharing roads with heavy traffic, emphasizing how the veloway provides a much-needed safer space. He notes the lack of road shoulders on Footscray Road as a key issue. He adds, "When a car or truck passes nearby, you see your life flash by in front of you, and it stays with you for a long time. It’s intimidating, and we don’t want people to be discouraged from doing exercise.”
By choosing the Dixon Veloway, which reaches 16 meters above the ground at its highest point, cyclists can avoid six intersections along Footscray Road.
Footscray resident Nick Reynolds and his 7-year-old daughter, Holly, tested out the veloway and believe it could encourage families to embrace cycling. Reynolds says, “With a young family, it’s always really important we keep the kids active, so this is another opportunity to encourage them to get on the bike rather than sitting in front of the TV.”
The path is named after Iris Dixon, a pioneer for women in cycling after World War II, who secured 16 road and track titles.
Her daughter, Denise Gillis, believes the veloway is a fitting tribute to her mother, who cycled well into her 80s before passing away in 2022 at the age of 91. Gillis recalls, "From the age of four, my grandfather made [Dixon] a bike and she rode. She could never be beaten." Even a serious accident in her 50s, which resulted in two broken vertebrae, didn't stop her from cycling. She continued to use rollers almost every day.
The veloway is equipped with 20 CCTV cameras, two emergency exits, and netting to protect riders from road debris.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams notes that the local community has been eagerly anticipating the opening of the bike path. She states, “It is an incredibly important piece of active transport infrastructure dedicated for cyclists, and really aimed to improve the safety of cycling in Melbourne’s inner-west.”
What do you think? Is this veloway a step in the right direction for cyclist safety? Do you believe similar infrastructure should be implemented elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
