Party leader backs pop-up bikeways in Adelaide CBD
Plans to install pop-up bikeways have won support overnight as the fuel crisis sparks investigations into temporary cycling infrastructure in the CBD.
Adelaide City Council on Tuesday night approved a motion to see if adding pop-up bike lanes to CBD roads has legs.
The pop-up infrastructure is typically made from plastic bollards, rubber kerbing, traffic cones or temporary paintwork, in a bid to make it safer for cyclists travelling through city streets.
Greens leader Robert Simms has also backed the council’s motion and urged the state government to commit to opening pop-up bikeways in the city to encourage fuel-free transport.
“With fuel supplies squeezed and prices through the roof, South Australians need alternatives to cars to get to work, school and the shops,” Simms said
“Bikes are the fastest, cheapest option we can roll out right now and I urge the Malinauskas Government to roll out pop-up bike lanes during this fuel crisis and to finally commit to building an integrated cycling network our state needs.
“Temporary bikeways can be created in weeks, not years. Other cities did this during the pandemic, and it worked. There’s no reason Adelaide can’t do the same while the fuel crisis continues.”
Councillor Eleanor Freeman presented the motion to explore the feasibility of the pop up lanes on Tuesday night after receiving multiple requests for cycling infrastructure from locals, saying pop-up bike lanes was something council “could deliver now”.
“Many are starting to look at cycling as an alternative transport option. In the last month, over 50 per cent of motorists Australia-wide are driving less and there has been a 136 per cent in bicycle sales,” Freeman said.
“I’m focused on those quick, cheap, immediate things we can do to make cycling better for all of the people that can ride into the city.
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“We are talking about free transport in a fuel crisis. We’re the capital city and we should be doing everything we can to support people to keep coming in and save money.”
The motion was backed, with the council administration to now investigate options for pop-up cycle routes to be implemented as soon as practicable in 2026/27.
A trial may then be implemented to “align with either Biketober 2026 or Tour Down Under 2027” according to council.
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