By Luke Voogt
Women cyclists have hit back at a health economist’s claim that council’s Belmont bike plan is sexist, ageist and elitist.
“It’s the complete opposite,” said Belmont veterinarian Kim Lim.
She was responding to Katrina Alford quoting in last week’s Indy Census figures showing that more than three quarters of Geelong cyclists commuting to work were middle-aged males, most earning above average.
Dr Lim argued that the Census figures instead exposed the need for separated bike paths to encourage women, children and the elderly to ride.
“Good research shows that women are reluctant to ride if they have to mix it with traffic. Many children are driven to school and to their activities because of this same reason.”
“Middle-aged men in Lycra” and other dedicated cyclists would continue to ride regardless of City Hall’s plans, Ms Lim said.
Dr Lim believed that removing some on-street parking for bike lanes would harm High Street less than they feared.
“Elderly people do not park in parallel carparks, that’s for sure. There’s plenty of off-street parking (lots) and they’re never full,” Dr Lim said
Dr Lim cited Canberra and European cities as examples of where bike lanes had worked in contrast to her experience of growing up riding in Melbourne before its cycling upgrades.
“I used to take my life into my own hands. Now it’s busier than Bourke Street on the bike paths.”
Debbie Biro said the lack of bike lanes forced her to ride on footpaths into central Geelong for her own safety.
“What really got me fired up were the comments in last week’s paper about who would benefit,” the Belmont resident said.
“I’m a woman, a mother and a bike-rider. I would benefit from a safer ride from point A to B.”
Ms Biro, who said she regularly rode to High Street to shop, believed that the proposed bike lanes could even enhance business.
“I couldn’t tell you if I’ve ever parked a car on High Street. It’s just too busy and there’s plenty of parking behind shops.”
Several Belmont traders have opposed City Hall’s proposed bike lanes, saying they will disadvantage the elderly and disabled, cause congestion and devastate trading.
Council plans to cut one lane of traffic in each direction and remove car parks for bike lanes along sections of High Street.
