The new roundabouts where drivers will be forced to give way for cyclists

Drivers will have to give way to cyclists as part of a “hybrid solution” in Melbourne.

The two roundabouts at Moray Street, where it intersects with Dorcas and Coventry streets, in the CBD forces drivers to give way to cyclists as part of a “safe and reliable” alternative during works for the Metro Tunnel – an upgrade to the city’s train network.

The bike lane runs alongside the footpath and the street at road level, separated by a mountable kerb. It has also been coloured green and separated from traffic by a parking lane.

Four raised pedestrian crossings have been added to each of the two roundabouts.

The roundabout at Moray and Dorcas streets. Source: Metro Tunnel
The roundabout at Moray and Dorcas streets. Source: Metro Tunnel

Cyclists run parallel to the crossing on entering and exiting the roundabouts with drivers forced to give way as they would pedestrians.

Albert Park MP Martin Foley told the Herald Sun the permanent Moray Street bike path was a “reliable alternative” to travelling on St Kilda Road and described the roundabouts as a “Victorian-first”.

Facebook users were left pleased with the change.

“Importantly bikes will have right of way through the roundabout – so if you use this lane you won’t have to give way to traffic to your right. It’s going to make it a lot safer for people on a bike,” one man wrote.

Another simply said, “This is amazing.”

The roundabout at Moray and Dorcas streets opened on Friday while the second roundabout, which meets at Coventry Street will open in a few weeks.