Brunswick By Bike.

Design - by Open Journal

Wall artwork by @mayonaize

March 2nd, 2022.

It’s said that more people ride their bikes to work in Brunswick than anywhere else in Australia! The suburb is defined by relatively flat topography, immediate connectedness to urban hot spots the nearby CBD, and an abundance of parks and gardens with well defined bike paths so it’s no surprise that cycling is so favoured. As development in the area continues to prioritise the beautification the public realm, bike compatibility is of significant consideration.

For as long as most of us can remember Brunswick has had a flourishing bike culture. As a favoured mode of daily transport for approximately 5,000 people, the humble bicycle has come to inform the character of the neighbourhood, seeping into the lifestyle patterns of those who live and work there.

Artwork | ‘I See You Baby’ by @xlucasgrogan

Cutting through the economic and cultural diversity the suburb is renowned for bike riding affects the fundamental sameness in us all. According to research from Sydney University, commuting cyclists are twice as happy as people who drive, work or use public transport to get to work. Couple this with the numerous native environments filled with bike paths – such as CERES Community Environment Park, Clifton Park, Gilpin Park and nearby Princes Park – and the experience of navigating through Brunswick’ urban density, or to the nearby CBD becomes a recreational experience as opposed to a frustrating mode of getting from A to B.

Cycling through Jewell Station Village by NEOMETRO™

Moreland City Council has been working towards a more resilient and future-proofed vision for Brunswick in which its bike culture is a central facet. Impacting everything from lowering greenhouse emissions to the beautification of the public realm, Moreland has been systematically prioritising bike compatibility throughout Brunswick as a direct reflection of the expectations of its constituents as well as the millions who visit the area each year.

A bicycle network, including the East Brunswick Shimmy, has slowly spread throughout the area over the years, informing urban development and coaxing more and more people to embrace a streamlined lifestyle in keeping with future trends. As urban density continues to rise, it is to bikes and apartments rather than cars and single family homes that Melbournians are turning to, placing emphasis on community amenity and public safety to drive positive change throughout Melbourne’s inner north.

Wall artwork by @mayonaize

Central to Brunswick’s urban renewal is Neometro’s Jewell Station Precinct where a new urban village has been established. Across 3 multi-residential buildings and a considered regeneration of the public realm including Jewell train station, the project brings together distinctive design, sustainability and community infrastructure with bike amenities such as storage, ride in/ride out access and visibility high on the agenda.