Monash bike riders can now have a big say in their safety and that of other cyclists with the launch of an interactive bike safety map – BikeSpot.
BikeSpot is an online map that allows every Australian cyclist to say where they feel safe or unsafe while riding their bike. By making a mark on the interactive map, everyone can contribute information that will help make cycling safe.
Bike riders can head to bikespot.org to drop a pin and answer a few questions about why they feel safe or unsafe in that location.
The feedback could be positive – “this is a separated bike lane that feels safe and is enjoyable to ride on” – or it could identify areas that need improvement – “bike lane is narrow and surface damaged”, “high traffic speeds” or “missing connections in bike routes”.
The information collected by BikeSpot will be made available to local governments, including the City of Monash, researchers and anyone involved in road design. Such information will be invaluable in helping shape Council’s future planning for cycling infrastructure.
We want to hear from the Monash community – anyone who rides their bike to work, parents who do drop-offs on the bike, people who ride for fun or fitness, kids who ride to school and delivery riders.
With your input, the BikeSpot map will help create a detailed picture of where Monash likes to ride, and where the cycling community feels unsafe.
Active transport is, increasingly, a priority for Monash Council as it reduces traffic congestion and improves the social, economic and environmental health of our community. Our streets need to be shared and accessed by all – and the more information we have, the safer the journey will be.
BikeSpot is a collaboration between the Amy Gillett Foundation and CrowdSpot, and is part of the Australian Government’s Safe Roads for Safe Cycling Program. The nationwide project is now open and will run through to January 2024.
