Alexandra Avenue, designed by Carlo Catani was officially opened by the Duke of Cornwall and York on May 17, 1901. It was constructed after flood mitigation works on the Yarra River and it had dedicated lanes for carriages, pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists. (1) Was this the first dedicated cycle lane in Victoria? I was hoping it was, so I could give Carlo all the credit, but it does not appear to be. It was, however, a very early cycle track, and Carlo engineered the Avenue, so he gets some credit.
I looked through some of the newspapers on Trove and in the 1890s there are many reports of cycle tracks in sports grounds or show grounds, but these were training tracks or lap tracks, they weren't a track specifically for cycling for leisure in a scenic location, or what I would consider to be the equivalent of a promenade for pedestrians rather than a running track.
Apparently the idea for a dedicated cycling track on Alexandra Avenue, which before it was officially opened was known as Taverner Boulevard, after the Minister for Public Works, John William Taverner, was suggested to Mr Taverner at a meeting in August 1896. (2) This was when he met with a deputation representing the League of Victorian Wheelmen, as well as three members of the Legislative Assembly - Mr Best, Mr Prendergast and Mr Fink.(3) The League of Victorian Wheelmen was formed in 1893 to promote and conserve the general interests of cycling. (4)
A report of the meeting was published in The Herald, under the headline Cheery Cyclists want a Track by Yarra's Banks. Mr Taverner Agrees -At the meeting Mr Best, M.L.A., said that the present was an opportune moment for considering the wishes of those who patronised cycling, which was not only a pastime, but a means of locomotion largely used by business men. It was felt that as the Minister was already engaged in the work of improving the Yarra, if he formed a track which could he used by cyclists he would confer a benefit on the community.
Mr S. V. Winter, as representing the League of Victorian Wheelmen, said that it was not only the young but elderly people who found this to be a healthy exercise. He hoped the Minister would see his way to have a track laid out near the city where this exhilarating exercise could be carried out. In Sturt street, Ballarat, there was a track laid down for cyclists, and in Hyde Park, London, where for a time the entrance of cyclists had been opposed, they were now permitted to ride, while in many American cities splendid tracks were laid down.
Mr Prendergast, M.L.A., impressed upon the Minister the desirability of including a provision that any track laid should be for the exclusive use of cyclists, so as to enable them to regulate the road and the traffic. By this means there would be less liability to accident. Between various cities in Europe good cycling tracks were laid down, and he was informed that on Broadway, New York, one of the most crowded thoroughfares in the world, a cycling track had been laid down.
Mr Fink, M.L.A., said that there were about 20,000 wheelmen in the colony, and the expense of the improvement work would scarcely be added to if, as had been said, it was not necessary that the track should be of asphalt. It would make the locality a fashionable promenade, and increase the value of surrounding property.
Mr Taverner said that the cause of the work was the reduction of the flood level of the Yarra, but there would be a quantity of earth to be disposed of. He had made up his mind on two points, that a footpath and a roadway along the Yarra must be constructed, and after hearing the deputation he had decided to lay down a cycle track for the exclusive use of cyclists. (Hear, hear.) (5)
The cycling track on Alexandra Avenue, once completed, was very popular, but had a few small issues, which a letter to The Argus pointed out -Sir, - Having seen a letter in your columns complaining of equestrians being driven off the tan riding track in Alexandra avenue by trespassing pedestrians, I wish to point out that cyclists are incommoded in the same way, and to suggest that more stringent means be adopted to secure for the different classes the use of those parts of the avenue intended for them. The cyclists and equestrians themselves might assist by making a point of attending on Sunday afternoons in force, and insisting on occupying their respective tracks till the trespassers are convinced that their own safety and convenience will be best served by conforming to the regulations.
I notice that the posts across the Prince's bridge entrance to the cycle track are too close together, as is proved by the fact that most cyclists - especially ladies - find it necessary to dismount in order to get through. It is probably possible for an expert cyclist to ride through without striking the posts, but all those whom I have seen enter have preferred dismounting to taking the chance. Another little matter I should like to mention is the need of a bicycle stable, which I should think, might easily be arranged for in connection with the tea room. Visitors are greatly encumbered in seeing the gardens by having to drag about their bicycles, and many would gladly pay a small fee to be relieved of them -Yours, &c., Safety, June 6. (6)
What we learn from the report of the meeting with Mr Taverner, is that there was already a dedicated bicycle track in Sturt Street in Ballarat, which may well have been the very first dedicated cycle track in Victoria. However, I can find no other information on this track and even though the State Library of of Victoria has well over 100 historic photographs of Sturt Street on-line, I cannot find a photograph of anything resembling a track reserved for cyclists.
In October 1897, The Argus reported on a proposed dedicated cycle track and made the claim that This, probably, is the first instance in the colony of a shire making roads for bicycle riders -Was the Mordialloc to Frankston track ever built? In June 1898, the St Kilda Council considered the matter of a cycle track -
Proposed Bicycle Track - The St Kilda Council, at its meeting on Monday evening, was in receipt of a letter from Mr. B. Garnet, secretary of the League of Victorian Wheelmen, stating that the league has consented to further a movement for laying an asphalt strip 2ft. wide along the high road from St. Kilda to Brighton Esplanade, distance about 4½ miles, for the use of cyclists, providing the consent of the two councils was given. The estimated cost was £432, and the Austral Cycle Agency was prepared to bear the cost of the first mile, viz., £100. The balance would be raised by subscriptions and other wise from those interested, the league taking the initiative. The council was also asked if they "were prepared to assist the movement in any other way." On the motion of Councillor Kemp the matter was referred to the public works a committee, the city surveyor to interview Mr. Garnet in the meantime, and the latter gentleman to be informed that he was at liberty to attend the meeting of the public works committee if he so desired. (8)
Was the St Kilda to Brighton Esplanade track ever built? In February 1900 there was another report of a cycle track -
Bicycle track to Sorrento - At a meeting of the Moorabbin council last night, the president, Cr. Penny, reported that the member of the west riding had met a representative of the Melbourne Bicycle Club, and an inspection of the proposed track, from Brighton Beach to Sandringham was made. After careful inquiry as to the requirements of the club, the committee recommended the council to sanction the making of a track inside the ti-tree reserve, the club having offered to commence the work forthwith. Cr. Barnett said he did not like to destroy the reserve, but as the track was not to exceed 6 feet in width, he
would not oppose it. The report was adopted. (9)
Was the Brighton Beach to Sandringham track ever built? In October 1901, the Mornington Standard reported -
For the past week very strong winds have been experienced throughout the colony, but along the coast these have attained the strength of gales, and considerable damage and devastation has been wrought through out the peninsula by the unroofing and blowing down of buildings and trees. A large quantity of the ti-tree along the foreshore at Frankston and Mornington has fallen, and at the former town the bicycle track to Melbourne was blocked in several places through this. (10)
In August 1903, the Mornington Standard published this letter to the editor -
The Cycling track - Sir, The bicycle track is almost perfect from Frankston to Melbourne, except a small piece between here and Carrum, which has been made of clay instead of gravel. When dry, it nearly jolts one to pieces, as the ridges are deep, the clay being so soft after rain the wheels sink in, and dries very rutty. Yours, &c., A Stitch in Time, Frankston, 26/8/03. (11)
In December 1907, the same paper also had another complaint about the Carrum section of the track -
Carrum - A special meeting of the Progressive Association is called for next Wednesday, to deal with a letter received from the secretary of the Dandenong shire, about the bicycle track between Carrum and Frankston. (12)
