← Back to portfolio
Published on

Local riders yearn for a connecting bike path

The chilly wind attacks Maurie Abbott as he takes a seat at a Montmorency café and greets me. He’s rugged up and willing to brave the atrocious weather. A defiant smile signals his intentions to meet the Melbourne winter head on.


Maurie tells me the weather is remarkably similar to the coastal trails he has ridden. Since quitting over-30s basketball and taking up bike riding, he has experienced everything Victoria has to offer. His electric blue eyes have taken in picturesque parts of our world that many will never witness.


With Labor candidate Kate Thwaites winning Maurie’s local seat of Jagajaga, there’s a chance he can ride a new bike trail. Designed to be put in between local train stations Greensborough and Montmorency, it would connect the existing trails of Diamond Creek and the Yarra River trail. Maurie would love the safety of getting off the roads.


“I’ll be very happy if it does happen, the whole community will really benefit. Even just for walking on weekends – families can bring down their kids,” Maurie said.


Since taking over the role of Secretary in the Banyule Bike Users Group 15 years ago, Maurie has advocated for trails and cyclist safety to many people. He has been a part of advisory councils and attended too many meetings to count. Local members of parliament from all levels know his name.


Gesturing theatrically with his hands, Maurie lists the endless problems he has with drivers while cycling. When riding from his home suburb of Montmorency to the surrounding Eltham and Greensborough he encounters cars driving at illegal speeds. The local Sherbourne Road is the worst.


“Sherbourne Road is a nightmare,” Maurie said. “It’s a heavily used road, it can get very busy and really, really hairy.”


Thwaites’ proposed bike trail would mean Maurie could avoid Sherbourne Road. Swerving cars and angry drivers would no longer infringe him and other riders. Thwaites will need to work with the state Labor government to fund this project.


Maurie tugs at his Royal Observatory of Greenwich cap. He uncertainly casts his eyes over the school children who filter past from the nearby primary school.


Turning back to me, Maurie says he is “really hoping” Thwaites can guarantee the new bike trail. But he has “not a single clue” what the government’s outcome will look like. The Coalition’s election victory means the promised trail is up in the air.


Maurie’s grey hair rustles in the wind. A smile appears as he talks about the Yarra bike trail he hassled the Darebin City Council into building.


“Darebin are doing all this good stuff and creating beautiful trails, but on the Banyule Council side there’s a heap of crap,” Maurie said.


Situated along the Hurstbridge train line, the suburb of Montmorency plays host to many bike rides and family exercises. On Saturday mornings, the Diamond Creek park runs are attended by droves of locals. Parents, kids and their dogs take part in the weekend exercise.


During the week, Maurie’s regular rides along bike paths are littered with school children safely travelling home. The planned new trail along the train lines would connect two shopping centres. Maurie anticipates the construction of the path would create “an amazing sight”.


Wistfully looking at the sky, Maurie explains why everyone should take up cycling. He has seen beautiful landscapes and made many great friends from the pastime. A hint of blue escapes from the barren clouds.


According to Maurie, riding bikes can exercise both the body and the brain. He took it up because he can travel further distances compared to walking. But he believes people don’t take up bike riding due to the lack of safety that is associated with it.


“You are at risk doing anything,” Maurie said. “My wife took a real cropper the other year when tripping over the lip of a footpath.”


Walking back towards his home, a young child flies past on a BMX bike. Maurie stops, turning around and smiling at the girl speeding off. His final call for action reeks with desperation.


“The Liberals don’t like bikes, they don’t give money to it,” Maurie said. “But I want people to feel safe enough to ride bikes so they can experience the joy that I have while riding.”

0 Comments Add a Comment?

Add a comment
You can use markdown for links, quotes, bold, italics and lists. View a guide to Markdown
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. You will need to verify your email to approve this comment. All comments are subject to moderation.

Subscribe to get sent a digest of new articles by Sean Mortell

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.