'Bikes before businesses': Outrage after trucks banned from busy road
Cyclists are celebrating in Melbourne following the announcement that trucks will now be banned from using a popular bayside road after a three-year campaign from angry residents.
As of February 25, trucks will be prohibited from using Beach Road from Bay Street all the way to the Nepean Highway – after complaints of air pollution, excessive noise and dangerously busy roads.
“There’s nothing more intimidating, than hearing the rumble of a truck coming up behind you because cyclists never come off well when there’s an interaction with a truck,” Local cyclist Melinda Jacobsen told 7 News.
But while cyclists and local residents have lauded the impending change, not everyone is quite so thrilled.
“I’d actually rather trucks on the road then cyclists,” one Melbourne woman wrote.
“So the ones who pay registration to pay for the roads can’t use those roads but those that don’t pay can?” Another asked.
“Sad Day when someone’s leisurely bike ride comes before business,” another man wrote.
“If they would ride single file it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Local delivery trucks and other heavy vehicles such as buses, caravans and cranes are exempt from the ban.
Member for Albert Park Martin Foley said the decision was a logical one and that it will bring better safety for the local community.
“We’ve trialled it, there’s been an increase in restrictions progressively for a number of years now,” he said.
Yahoo7 News has contacted the Australian Trucking Association for comment.
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