Published: The Mercury 29th March 2025
When the bike lanes in Collin St debate first started many businesses in the area vocalised their opposition to the proposal, but they quickly stopped being public about it.
Behind the scenes support from businesses did not stop but they were genuinely concerned about tactics being deployed by those in favour of the proposal. The pro bike lanes members of our community love to single out and publicly name businesses that are against the Collins St proposal.
The result of this, as they well know, is these businesses are targeted and harassed, all for daring to have an opinion. What they want is all voices other than their own to be extinguished. To be clear, I have not directed anyone to boycott or harass the very few pro bike lane businesses.
The behaviour on the night of the public meeting by the pro bike lane people was disgraceful, publicly laughing and yelling at an elderly lady on a mobility scooter was a low point along with the jeering and slow clapping.
Many older people contacted me beforehand to say they did not feel comfortable coming to the meeting and in hindsight they were right. There is no doubt the meeting was stacked. They were well organised with the full complement of local and state green politicians on display.
From my position on the stage it was clear the split on the night was not the overwhelming landslide that is being reported, it was lucky to be 60/40 and I’m proud of those over 40 per cent that came and braved such a hostile audience.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business
