Yarra Council downgrades Elizabeth Street protected lanes

Monday, 23 March 2026 - 10:00am to 10:30am
Chalking on Elizabeth Street showing how narrow the 'new' lanes will be. Image: Inner City News

On this weeks program Chris talks to numerous guests about the Elizabeth Street protected lanes protests, media coverage and ongoing issues (apologies for audio quality), including reels from Gabrielle and Sophie, College Street Cycleway history and critique and timeline of last weeks events leading to the protected lanes demolition.

Local news includes, Ride to School Day, Australia's looming energy crisisVictoria’s Active Transport Plan announcement and Critical Mass rides west this Friday 27 March to support BikeWests call for improved infrastructure.

Ongoing Elizabeth Street works: Bicycle Networks 25 March article includes more useful detail than Yarra Councils Roadworks update.

In March 2026 with a looming national petrol crisis and crunch time for many household travel budgets, it is an indictment on the Victorian Government that neither Minister stepped up to stop demolition of Elizabeth Street protected lanes exactly when people need safe, economical transport options.

Action you can take now

  1. Email 1: Contact Ministers: Why doesn’t the Victoria Government support it’s own Active Transport Plan?
  2. Email 2: Contact Yarra Council: Immediate action required: Fix Elizabeth Street, Richmond Safety issues

Media Coverage

The Age: Bobcat and protesters take to Richmond bike corridor being narrowed for car spaces 

Media Release – Yarra Council Rips Up Bike Lanes – “Road Safety” Minister Lets It Happen 

‘Used to be the most progressive’: Yarra Council begins narrowing bike lanes to make room for car spaces 

Inner City News: Cyclists protest Yarra’s Elizabeth St bike lane downgrade in Richmond 

Drive.com.au – ‘Back to the people’: Cyclists outraged after introduction of new car parks

Program music

King Stingray, Camp dog

Bonobo, Linked

Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio on 3CR
Monday 10:00am to 10:30am
Yarra Bicycle Users Group promotes urban cycling. Providing support to campaigns to improve cycling conditions and awareness; demystifies cycling technology and helps to reveal the diversity of cyclists, from children to commuters to lobbyists.

Presenter

Chris, Faith, Val and Steve

Topic