Dangerous concrete separators between traffic and bike lanes on Jacka Boulevard/ Marine Parade are planned to be removed and replaced with painted bike lanes, consisting of increased green surface treatments, signage and line marking.  These changes are proposed to be implemented by the Department of Transport and Planning in early 2026 following extensive community consultation according to Council sources.

Yet work has not commenced and despite my written enquiries I have not received any detailed responses from the City of Port Phillip, DTP or Nina Taylor, the state member of parliament, confirming actual design details and timing for the commencement of works.

Removal of the concrete separators on Jacka Boulevard/ Marine Parade is welcomed by residents and cycling enthusiasts who successfully campaigned to Port Phillip Council for the removal of nearly 38 km of temporary pop-up bike lane infrastructure in 2023 on roads owed by the City of Port Phillip. Disappointingly the infrastructure was retained on Jacka Boulevard/ Marine Parade because those roads are managed by the DTP, a Victorian Government authority.

Mr Jan Talacko and Mark Naughton commissioned in 2022 an independent, expert report prepared by Traffix Group that concluded the bicycle infrastructure, including the section on Jacka Boulevard/ Marine Parade, was not necessary for reducing dangerousness.

According to the DTP website “The bollards and kerb separators can be confusing and difficult to navigate. We heard that bollards and kerb separators act as an obstacle and distraction for bike riders and people in cars. In some instances, it makes it difficult to navigate intersections and restricts movement for bike riders.”

The website indicated there are “Concerns about left turns: we heard that the trial infrastructure in place at intersections creates conflict between bikes and cars at left turns in and out of Marine Parade, as well as confusion over who has right-of way.”

In August-September 2024, DTP undertook community engagement on the temporary bike infrastructure, and they have since incorporated that feedback to help finalise their designs for permanent bike lanes on this corridor. Publicly available information can be found in the link: https://engage.vic.gov.au/marine-parade-pop-up-bike-lanes