Proposal

• Remove 4 on-street car parking spaces on the south side of South Cres, near Mason St and Plant St

Rationale

South Cres is a popular route for people riding bikes to Westgarth Primary School, and nearby train stations, childcare centres, and local businesses. South Cres connects to other common bike routes on Victoria Rd and Westgarth St, and is part of the Hurtsbridge Line Shimmy. South Cres is a narrow, busy road with parking lanes on both sides, and cars and bikes share a lane in each direction.

In Your Street, Your Say - Group B Stage 1 we heard it felt dangerous to ride a bike on South Cres. Riding next to parked cars puts people at risk of being hit by car drivers pulling in and out of parking bays, and people opening car doors into the bike lane. We heard you wanted it to be safer for people riding bikes on South Cres.

The proposal to remove limited parking on South Cres to address these concerns was made by a Darebin Council resolution on 8^th of January 2024. A previous Council officer recommendation and resolution on 22^nd March 2021 determined to trial a ‘no standing section’ on the south side of South Cres, between Plant St and Simpson St.

The road is narrowed by parking on both sides. Cyclists are at risk of being doored by parked vehicles and struck by vehicles attempting to overtake. The removal of these parking spaces will extend the continuous lengths where motorists can overtake cyclists. Compliance with not parking at these locations may be higher as it extends existing No Stopping zones.

The removal of only 4 parking spaces will allow improve safety for cyclists without significant removal of parking.