Members from community group BikeWest are happy to be back cycling along Footscray Road, after months of closures left them cycling along an “unsafe” detour.
As previously reported by Star Weekly, the Footscray Road bike path was closed in September for works on the Westgate Tunnel Project.
It reopened for a short time in October, only to be closed again on November 3, due to the Maritime Union’s industrial action against DP World.
BikeWest said the Footscray Road bike path had been the main and safest way for members to get into the city since the 1930s.
One western suburbs resident was pleased to see the road had reopened on February 14.
“I rode it straight away,” said BikeWest representative Matthew Way.
Since May, Mr Way has cycled to his new job in the city from Sunshine, travelling through Footscray.
“I have been cycling forever but this route only since I got my new job,” he said.
“Overall we are pretty happy that a safer route into the city is open.”
Mr Way said for many cyclists Dynon Road was the one substitute while Footscray Road was closed, although it was not a “safe route.“
“For a lot of people Dynon Road was abit out of the way which was a hassle,” he said.
“And for me, I ended up having to ride down Hopkins Street near the Franco Cozzo building and that stretch is just so sketchy.“
Mr Way first joined BikeWest last year when it was organising the 2023 Critical Mass, now back for another year the Critical Mass advocated for the same issues.
“We hosted another Critical Mass to get safe infrastructure along Hopkins Street,” he said.
“The whole area just seems crazy to me, how little infrastructure there is along the Josephs Road precinct.
“Now that the Footscray Road path is open, we can focus a lot more effort on advocating for that area.”
The Critical Mass was held on Friday, February 23 and saw over 200 people ride through Footscray.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said, “We regularly review our network, including our cycling corridors, to identify potential improvements”.
“We welcome feedback and will work with the community on how we can further improve safety on our roads.”
Jennifer Pittorino
