Works begin on Macaulay Rd protected bike lanes following safety push

Construction of long-awaited protected bike lanes along Macaulay Rd has recently begun, marking a significant milestone in efforts to improve safety on one of Kensington’s busiest and most contentious corridors.

The City of Melbourne confirmed works will begin rolling out on Macaulay Road by early March to deliver 1.4 kilometres of new kerbside protected bike lanes between Eastwood St and Boundary Rd. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026, subject to weather conditions.

The works will introduce new bike lanes on both sides of Macaulay Rd, repositioned next to the footpath and separated from traffic by concrete kerbs and parking bays. Green surface treatments and new line markings will be installed to improve visibility, along with upgraded traffic signals and a consistent 40km/h speed limit along the corridor.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the changes were a direct response to long-standing safety concerns in the area.

The Kensington community sadly needs no reminder of the dangers faced by bike riders – and we’re taking action to improve safety for all road users on Macaulay Rd, Cr Reece said.

“We’re separating bike lanes from traffic, and adding colour and line markings – making it safer to ride past train stations, new developments and peak-hour traffic.”

“We’ll also deliver consistent 40km/h speed limits and improved traffic signals, to help ensure everyone is moving around this part of Kensington as safely as possible.”

The announcement comes less than five months after the death of a young cyclist at the intersection of Macaulay Rd and Rankins Rd in September last year, a tragedy that reignited calls for urgent safety upgrades. The intersection had already been identified as a high-risk location due to heavy vehicle movements and proximity to Kensington Station.

According to the works notice, safety improvements were delivered at the Rankins Rd intersection in 2025, including new yellow kerbs, line markings and green surface treatments to improve visibility and encourage drivers to slow down when turning.

The new protected lanes will see 29 parking bays retained, with 36 removed along the section from Eastwood St to Boundary Rd. During construction, parking will be temporarily suspended in impacted sections and speed limits reduced to help maintain safe passage for riders. Work will generally occur between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday, with occasional overnight or weekend activity.

The City of Melbourne said more than 400 community members participated in consultation in 2023, with 87 per cent supporting the installation of protected bike lanes.

The project has been approved by the Victorian Government and is co-funded by the City of Melbourne and the Department of Transport and Planning through the Transport and Amenity Program. It forms part of the council’s Transport Strategy 2030, which aims to create a safer and more liveable city by expanding protected cycling infrastructure.

Future stages are also planned, with works to extend the protected lanes from Boundary Rd to Arden St expected to commence in the 2026–27 financial year.

The council's works notification can be found here •