Newport to CBD

[marieparr]

I am about to move to Newport, just off Ross Street, and I'm working in Collins Street in Melbourne CBD.

Can anyone recommend a bike route that is "fairly safe" - I'm used to cycling on the roads but there's a lot of trucks in the area so it doesn't feel too safe. I don't know the area that much yet - only know how to get there via car over the Westgate bridge but what route do you take when cycling?

Please help me as I will go bonkers if I can't cycle!!

Either post here on forum or contact me via email: [email protected]

Thanks heaps!

[damhooligan]

I am about to move to Newport, just off Ross Street, and I'm working in Collins Street in Melbourne CBD.

Can anyone recommend a bike route that is "fairly safe" - I'm used to cycling on the roads but there's a lot of trucks in the area so it doesn't feel too safe. I don't know the area that much yet - only know how to get there via car over the Westgate bridge but what route do you take when cycling?

Please help me as I will go bonkers if I can't cycle!!

Either post here on forum or contact me via email: [email protected]

Thanks heaps!

the only alternative for the westgate by bike is footscray road.
There is a good cycle path availible, so that shoul be fine.

to get there, if you want to avoid the big busy roads, is to go backwards.
(once you learn the many side streets it wil become easier.)
but the idea is, blackshaws road, towards altona.
then to new street, wich you follow to the avenue.
Here you can go undernath the freeway to francis street (via wembley.)
then go onto seneth street to somerville.
Use somerville to get to whitehall street, wich wil have a bike path, that wil connect to foootscray road.

There are other options, and easier/faster ones.
But this one goes over quiet roads, so you avoid lots of traffic this way.

[il padrone]

Google Maps gives me this when I choose travel by bike. It is pretty much what I would choose to ride with the family (but I only ride there on weekends ), except for that odd diversion near Costco and Waterfront City - just stay on the bike path along Footscray Rd to Harbour Esplanade.

Checking with Open Cycle Maps there is a roadside bike path all along Douglas Street, Hyde St, down Somerville Rd and along Whitehall St to Shepherds Bridge and the Footscray Rd bike path.

I don't see why you wouldn't use it, you just need to take a few backstreets from Newport through to Douglas Pde. You've got Abbotsford Cycles along Hyde Street for any needs as well.

[jamesn184]

from where you live, ride through over melbourne rd and there's a little path that will lead you under the rail tracks and from there you ride down one of the side streets down to hyde st, from there just keep going then turn right onto sommerville rd then left on whitehall st which will lead you to footscray rd

[damhooligan]

from where you live, ride through over melbourne rd and there's a little path that will lead you under the rail tracks and from there you ride down one of the side streets down to hyde st, from there just keep going then turn right onto sommerville rd then left on whitehall st which will lead you to footscray rd

crossing melbourne road, is not always that easy..

[il padrone]

Cross at the Mason St lights, or the Market St underpass near the pub, then go through the railway station underpass to Tait St ?? These routes are marked on Google Maps when you select directions by bike. I know it is making like a pedestrian but it gets you away from traffic, onto the Wiliamstown Trail route quicker and will save a bit of time getting into the city.

[edit] Ignore the previous. From Ross St there is a pedestrian crossing over Melbourne Rd here that leads to a pathway (through Samuel Kohry Reserve) and a rail underpass; and this leads through to Hall St, then you can take Hobson St through to Douglas Pde and the bike trail. Douglas Pde has good bike lanes along it as well.

[Uncle Just]

+1 to the ped crossing leading to the pathway under the railway line and into Hall st. I've used that way for many years now going from and into the city. I often go across Hudsons road into Simcock Ave and up Douglas Pde depending on the time of day. Previously up to the late 90s I would ride along Melbourne Rd and Francis St but those days have passed since the growth in suburbs and factories to the south west. Far safer to ride up Hyde St and cross into Whitehall St using the side streets or at Somerville road. Take particular care getting across Whitehall and Moreland Sts (Docklands Hwy) to the bike path as the truck and car traffic is merciless. The Footscray Rd bike path will safely take you into Docklands along Harbour Esplanade and left into Collins.

[igstar]

Hey, I live in Newport and work in Collins St!!!

Depending which part of Newport you leave from and which end of Collins St you work in.

From Newport you can take Douglas Pde or Hall street if you live on that side of the railway line, or make your way to Hudsons Rd. I would avoid Melbourne Rd in the morning. Going up Hyde St, you can stay on the road, or there is a shared pedestrian/bike path all the way to Somerville Rd. The bike path goes along the Somerville Rd and Whitehall St and joins the Footscray Rd bike path which takes you to Docklands.

If you work on the west end of Collins st, go through Docklands and join the Collins st there. If you are on the east end, I suggest you take Latrobe St (it is much wider and less busy) and go down Russell, Exhibition, Swanston st (whichever is closest to you work).
Let me know if you need help. There is also the West Gate punt if you need to head to Port Melbourne or St Kilda. Only $2 during workdays.