Wyndham mayor Bob Fairclough knew that driving to Melbourne’s CBD during peak hour was a drawn-out journey, but he never expected that it would be quicker to ride a bicycle.
Last Wednesday’s Race to the City event, organised by the council as part of its congestion campaign, revealed it was 30 minutes quicker to cycle from Point Cook to Federation Square than it was to drive.
Fifteen participants left from Point Cook, Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, travelling to Federation Square by car, bicycle, public transport or boat to highlight the daily struggle faced by Wyndham commuters.
First to arrive were Liz Drury and Christine Morris, who cycled from Point Cook to Williams Landing train station, and Tarneit to Hoppers Crossing train station respectively. Their journeys took 57 minutes, including the train travel.
Behind them were cyclists Leone Brunato and Joe Patamisi, who also left from Point Cook and Tarneit. Their rides took 67 and 68 minutes respectively.
Mr Patamisi said he saw few other cyclists on his journey, which took a little longer than he expected.
However, he still arrived 33 minutes before Wyndham transport advisory committee chairman John Menegazzo, whose drive from Tarneit lasted one hour and 41 minutes.
Mr Menegazzo spent 30 minutes driving from the corner of Morris and Sayers roads to Forsyth Road.
Cr Fairclough said he was surprised by how much faster it was to cycle or catch public transport.
“I really think this highlights the need for better cycling links and public transport for our community.”
Public Transport Users Association member Cait Jones also had a difficult time getting to Melbourne, with her bus from Point Cook to Williams Landing station delayed by traffic. Her trip lasted one hour and 27 minutes.
