Hobart - Western Routes

May 2018. As part of a pedestrian-improvement and traffic-calming project, bike lanes will be installed on some sections of Hill St in June 2018. An empahsis for bike lanes is on the flatter sections between Cavell & Landsdowne St and between Hamiton & Landsdowne St.

Where there is room on the steeper sections of Hill St, uphill bike lanes have been installed for the benefit of e-bike users, as well as helping to traffic-calm by soaking up excess road space.

Hill St can be very busy (unlike the empty roadway shown in the photo) so improvements for people crossing the road and dedicated space for cycling are welcomed.

July 2014. Hobart City Council installed a pedestrian refuge on Strickland Ave at Cascade Brewery and included an uphill bike lane as part of the project. This short link provides a connection for bicycle riders using the Hobart Rivulet path from the Cascade Gardens to the Old Farm Road turnoff. Green surface treatments will be provided across the Cascade Brewery’s Visitor Centre Car park entrance and the breweries warehouse entrance to assist in highlighting the presence of bicycle riders, especially to tourists. The project was funded through the State Government's Vulnerable Road Users Program.

Hobart Council developed a masterplan of the Hobart Rivulet Linear Park in 2010 and purchased the former Boags Brewery site at Anglesea St to provide a continuation of the track along the rivulet for walking and cycling, avoiding the existing steep bypass over the hill. 

• 2010 - the crossing of Molle St was  improved through the installation of kerb outstands to reduce the crossing distance of the roadway, a reduction in motor vehicle lanes from 3 to 2 and a bike lane along a section of Molle St. 

• 2012. Hobart's first contra-flow bicycle lane (which allows bike riders to travel in the opposite direction on a one-way street) was installed on Degraves St. 
  The former Boags Brewery site (now C3 Church) which prevented access along the rivulet and required a steep detour over the hill will soon have a pathway installed along the rivulet. Hobart City Council purchased a strip of land along the rivulet and public access will soon be available.
  2016. A new 3.0m wide exposed-aggregate concrete path was completed between Molle Street and McKellar Street, replacing a slippery, muddy gravel track.

• 2016   A raised crossing was installed at Gore St. 

• 2022 - Signals were installed at the Molle St crossing

July 2021. City of Hobart has compmleted works by installing sealed shoulders where possible and incorporated a section of protected bike lane to prevent cars from cutting the corner. 

Oct 2019. Huon road is popular with recreational bicycle riders who travel uphill at much lower speeds than motorists travelling toward Fern Tree. The speed difference between bicycle riders and cars travelling uphill creates problems because of the narrow width of the uphill lane and the limited overtaking opportunities. The often constrained sight distance available for a driver looking for opportunities to overtake can be stressful for both drivers and the bicycle riders they are trying to pass.

The aim of this project is to provide more frequent opportunities for vehicles travelling uphill on Huon Road to pass bicycle riders and therefore significantly improve safety and comfort for both bicycles and other road users on this stretch of Huon Road, similar to the treatment on the Channel Hwy at Bonnet Hill.

Road shoulders will be sealed at various locations to provide space for slow, uphill bicycle riders, making it easier for motor vehicles to overtake. Due to the limitations of the location it will not be possible to provide a continuous uphill bicycle lane. Rather, a list of sites have been selected based on their potential to significantly improve safety and comfort for both cyclists and other road users on this stretch of Huon Road within the available budget. Substantial funding for this project has been provided by the Federal Government and was announced by Independent Federal Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie MP.