Cyclist’s death sparks renewed calls for safety on Macaulay Rd

The death of a cyclist in Kensington has reignited long-standing concerns about bike safety on Macaulay Rd, with Greens MP Ellen Sandell leading calls for separated bike lanes and an urgent safety review of the notorious intersection near Kensington station.

Police confirmed a young male cyclist died after colliding with a truck at the intersection of Macaulay Rd and Rankins Rd on the afternoon of September 22. The fatal crash, which occurred in an area heavily used by both local cyclists and construction vehicles, has devastated the community and triggered fresh demands for immediate government action.

Victorian Greens Leader and Member for Melbourne, Ellen Sandell, said the tragedy highlighted the consequences of years of delays in delivering critical safety infrastructure.

“Every year in Australia nine cyclists are killed on our roads, yet governments often make safety for cyclists an afterthought,” Ms Sandell said in a statement issued the day after the crash. “Pedestrians and bike riders should be able to use our roads without fear of being killed. Yesterday’s tragic death needs to be a wake-up call.”

Ms Sandell, who lives in Kensington, noted that the City of Melbourne has approved funding for separated bike lanes on Macaulay Rd every year since 2021. However, their delivery has been repeatedly stalled because the Department of Transport has not given approval.

“It would be heartbreaking if this death could potentially have been avoided if safer transport infrastructure had already been installed,” she said.

The Greens have also called on the City of Melbourne to urgently review the safety of the Macaulay/Rankins Rd intersection, as well as the impact of traffic management changes in the area amid growing truck movements linked to construction projects.

The tragedy comes just three months after a fiery debate at Town Hall over the council’s decision to scale back its cycling program. The council reduced its four-year commitment to cycling infrastructure from $13 million to $9 million, sparking criticism from cycling advocates who argued it would delay new protected lanes.

Despite this, the council points to 31 kilometres of protected bike lanes built since 2020 and says it remains committed to its long-term goal of 50 kilometres of new protected lanes.

But cycling advocates, including former professional rider Matilda Reynolds, argue delivery has lagged and the city is falling behind. “I’m begging you to be brave enough to follow what already works,” she told councillors in June. “The city deserves to be proud again.”

September 22’s fatal crash has once again laid bare the stakes of inaction. In recent years, Melbourne has witnessed several high-profile cyclist deaths and serious injuries involving trucks, including the death of Angus Collins in West Melbourne.

For Kensington locals, the latest tragedy is a painful reminder of the risks faced daily by those choosing to ride.

“Labor must stop treating safe bike lanes as an afterthought. They must be a priority, so no more bike riders die after being hit by cars and trucks," Ms Sandell said.