City in Motion: Construction Updates for Cyclists

18 July 2025

Light rail

Progress is continuing in a number of places over he past two weeks. In particular, going southbound on Northbourne Avenue after passing Alinga Street light right rail station, the right lane is now completely blocked off.

It is a good thing for bike riders that a protected lane was built beside this section a few years ago! From there, it remains easy to continue south around Vernon Circuit and onto Commonwealth Avenue on a bike or to follow the footpaths in either direction onto London Circuit. Bikes still remain the easiest way to weave your way through the City’s construction sites!

The south east road section of London Circuit between Constitution Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue is open and road vehicles don’t travel too fast long it: confident bike riders should feel comfortable using it. We have been told that the beautiful bike paths on either side of London Circuit should be open in a couple of weeks: a lot of work is going into making sure the surface will be okay for bikes and the landscaping will look great. A couple of weeks later, the bike and footpaths along London Circuit to the south west of Commonwealth Avenue as far as Edinburgh Avenue are also expected to be open, with traffic lights across the Commonwealth Avenue / London Circuit intersection... and pedestrian/ bike lights too

Once this has been completed, there will be pretty well normal direct access for bikes and pedestrians through the City, although motor vehicle access will remain limited in some areas – not our problem. Bikes will then be able to move between east and west side of the City around Vernon Circle as well as using the north and south arcs of London Circuit.

If you want to go through Commonwealth Park between Commonwealth Avenue to Allara Street past the Archbishop’s house and over the footbridge, you will find that some of the wayfinding signinage has been replaced, however it looks like the preparations for Floriade 2025 have started. There are lots of flagged-off areas of parkland and flower beds will soon be built. For the next few months the bike route will be going past growing flowerbeds beside the Floriade depot. If you are going south from Allara Street towards Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, once you have gone over the footbridge, keep right-ish until you reach Regatta Place (the road) which will take you to Commonwealth Avenue. Going the other way northbound, stay on Regatta Place until you have passed the pretty steel gates on the left that go to the Archbishop’s house, then follow the paths to the left of the road and take the left path options until you find the footbridge.

Garema Place

Garema place is now getting really busy with construction. Th north end has a large hotel being bilt and the south end has most of the surface dug up, probably for an upgrade. However, there are still paths that go around the whole are so bikes and pedestrians can still get through, even if there isn’t much area to hang around. The areas of City Walk between Garema Place and the Magic roundabout have been upgraded and there are still plenty of tables, trees, chairs and even a stage for the winter festival! You can get through Garema place, but there are better places to hang around nearby.

Botanical Turner

This odd name refers to a large construction site just north of Haig Park on the west side of Northbourne Avenue. Until recently, the entire site was fenced off to the edge of the Northbourne Avenue without a viable alternative route signposted for pedestrians and bike riders. Well now the left lane has been marked off and reserved for cyclists, which is fantastic!

Until recently both bikes and pedestrians were using the painted bike lane on the left beside three traffic lanes during peak hour which was just not safe– and no they don’t have to any more. A big thank you goes to whoever made this happen.

Can you help? Road and route closures and traffic congestion will change often. If you see anything that you think should be mentioned here, please call or email Pedal Power (communications@pedalpower.org.au) and help us to keep this regular bulletin up to date. Thank you!