New elevated veloway opens, transforming bike travel between the west and the CBD

Cyclists in Melbourne’s west now have a safer, faster and fully separated route into the city, with the long-awaited veloway opening to riders on Sunday, December 7 as part of the West Gate Tunnel project.

The 2.5-kilometre elevated pathway – officially named the Dixon Veloway in honour of Victorian cycling great Iris Dixon – runs between Shepherd Bridge in Footscray and the city side of Moonee Ponds Creek in Docklands, carrying riders above truck routes, port traffic and some of the inner west’s busiest intersections.

Heralded as a “cycling expressway”, the veloway eliminates the need for cyclists to cross six intersections, including heavy freight entry and exit points, offering a continuous off-road link into Docklands and the CBD. The route is set to become a flagship connector for commuters travelling between the inner west, the city and the expanding bike networks beyond.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams opened the facility alongside Australian cycling legend Cadel Evans and students from Footscray City Primary School.

“The veloway has been built with cyclist safety front and centre – taking out six intersections between Footscray and Docklands to give riders a clearer, safer run,” Ms Williams said.

The suspended structure comprises 195 individually lifted segments weighing a combined 1700 tonnes. The four-metre-wide path includes two dedicated lanes, lighting, CCTV, alarmed exits and emergency vehicle access – features designed to make cycling more comfortable and accessible for riders of all abilities.

Member for Footscray Katie Hall said the new connection would encourage more people to ride.

“VeloDay is here – not only will the veloway encourage more people to jump on a bike, it will deliver a safer commute for people travelling between Melbourne’s west and the city,” she said.

The veloway is one of several new cycling links delivered through the West Gate Tunnel project, which will provide more than 14 kilometres of new and upgraded bike paths by the end of the year. These include closing long-standing missing sections of the Federation Trail between Fogarty Avenue and Hyde St in Yarraville.

In the coming weeks, a new bike park beneath CityLink near Moonee Ponds Creek is also set to open, offering skateboarders and BMX riders a range of tracks catering to all skill levels.

The broader West Gate Tunnel project – due for full completion soon – aims to transform travel across the west, offering an alternative to the West Gate Bridge while reducing truck traffic on local roads by an estimated 9000 vehicles each day.