Northbourne Avenue campaign
Build the bike lane. Make it safe.
Northbourne is one of Canberra's most important routes. It is time for a continuous, high-quality cycleway that protects people riding from motor traffic.
Twenty years ago, putting bike lanes on Northbourne Avenue was controversial.
Cyclists were told they did not belong on major roads. Drivers complained about losing road space. Politicians resisted. Pedal Power members responded by riding Northbourne every weekday morning in a bike bus, two abreast, making the case that cyclists had every right to use a direct route through Canberra.
The campaign worked. In 2001, the incoming Labor Government committed to bike lanes along Northbourne and Commonwealth Avenues. They officially opened in 2004.
Those lanes changed Canberra. Cycling numbers increased. More people could ride directly through the city. Bike lanes became a normal part of Canberra's roads, and the idea that people on bikes belong on our streets became much harder to argue against.
How change happened
A campaign that helped transform Canberra.
Pedal Power members made the case that people riding bikes belong on direct routes through the city.
Members took the lane.
A weekday bike bus made riders visible and demonstrated the demand for a direct route along Northbourne.
Government committed.
The incoming ACT Labor Government committed to bike lanes along Northbourne and Commonwealth Avenues.
The lanes opened.
More people could ride directly through Canberra and bike lanes became a normal part of the city's roads.
The problem now
Canberra changed. The bike lanes did not.
The existing lanes are narrow and sit directly beside busy traffic. There is little room to overtake, and for many people the prospect of riding beside fast-moving cars and trucks is enough to leave the bike at home.
People should not need to be confident, experienced cyclists before they can safely ride to work, school, the shops or the city.
Narrow lanes leave little space to ride or overtake.
Paint does not protect riders from fast-moving traffic.
Turning vehicles and side streets create conflict points.
The current design excludes less confident riders.
What we are asking for
Not another painted line.Not another token upgrade.A properly separated bike lane.
We are calling for a continuous, high-quality and protected cycleway that separates people riding from motor traffic. It should provide safe treatments at intersections and side streets and work for confident commuters, children, older riders and everyone in between.
Tell the Minister ↓Why Northbourne matters
A direct route with city-wide impact.
Northbourne connects the inner north with the city, the Parliamentary Triangle and beyond.
Safer everyday trips
People should be able to ride to work, school, shops and services without feeling exposed to traffic.
A growing corridor
More people are living along Northbourne and making short trips between nearby destinations.
More transport choice
A protected route would allow many more people to choose a bike for practical daily travel.
Less road pressure
Every safe cycling trip can mean fewer cars, less congestion and less demand for parking.
Email Chris Steel MLA
Help us drive reform.
Add your voice by preparing a message to the ACT Minister for Transport. Tell the Government why Northbourne Avenue needs a safe, separated bike lane.
Take action
Tell the Minister it is time to finish the job.
Complete the form to prepare an addressed campaign email.
The next generation
Northbourne was part of where Canberra's cycling revolution began.
Now it should show what the next generation of safe cycling infrastructure looks like.
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