Innovative Bike Lane Separation Kerbs, Designed for Safer Cycling Infrastructure.
The development of safer, more accessible infrastructure for cyclists is becoming an increasing priority in Australia, as it promotes sustainable transportation and reduces vehicular congestion. As local councils continue to invest in road safety, there is a growing requirement for cycling infrastructure products that are both safe and practical.
Oakleigh Cycling Connection
In November 2023, after extensive planning and community consultation, the City of Monash committed to the delivery of a safe cycling corridor between Scotchmans Creek Trail and Djerring Trail, to run north-south through the suburb of Oakleigh. This would be delivered as a multi-stage approach.
The intention of the designated cycling path was to improve cyclist safety and encourage local travel by bicycle, by providing a clearly-marked, safe bicycle corridor that would not impact the flow of vehicular road traffic.
During the project’s planning phase, SVC Civil Products worked closely in partnership with the Monash council to develop an on-road kerbing solution. The precast kerbing units would be installed as permanent on-road implements, creating distinct zones and physical separation of cyclist and vehicular traffic.
Design Concept
SVC’s approach to new product development takes weighted consideration of the practical challenges faced by all stakeholders – specifiers, installers and end users. Every aspect of the Bike Lane Separator Kerbs was considered for its real-world application in council and civil infrastructure:
- Robust precast concrete construction, for a long service life and minimal council maintenance;
- Material compatibility with streetscape and civil infrastructure;
- Efficient, simple installation of modular precast components;
- Locally manufactured product made with Victorian raw materials, enabling high supply capacity and short lead times;
- Low-carbon concrete and the inclusion of recycled materials within the product helps councils achieve low-emission sustainability targets.
The final design solution features an asymmetrical, dual-profile form factor:
- A barrier-type profile on the traffic side, which physically deters cars from encroaching into the bike lane
- A sloped, semi-mountable kerb profile on the cyclist side that reduces potential pedal strike, one of the main causes of cyclist injury
The bike lane kerb modules include two straight lengths at 500mm and 1500mm long, and two tapered end units (left and right). This simple modular design allows multiple configurations of varying lengths, ensuring compatibility with most road applications.
Performance in the Built Environment
Over 200 bike lane separator kerb modules were supplied for the City of Monash’s implementation of the Oakleigh Cycleway. This initial deployment will serve as a comprehensive field trial to validate the design concept, product performance and durability of the separator kerbs in a real-world, busy traffic environment. Should the project prove successful, it will become an easily repeatable blueprint for councils and road infrastructure projects all over Australia.
As authorities continue to invest in active transport networks, the introduction of SVC’s Bike Lane Separator Kerbs presents an innovative, locally manufactured solution that supports safer, more connected communities while showcasing the value of Australian manufacturing and design.
