Using the meters with the wires, in rubber tubes is quite common.
Bicycle usage is pretty much dependent on perceived safety, which put bike lanes in a chicken and egg situation, where it can be argued that no one is riding therefor there is no need for facilities. Anzac bridge is a classic example. Before the bridge was built with the bike path, there were very few bikes using the old glebe island bridge, however it was serveral years before numbers built up to capatilise on the improved facilities. William st is a victim of this, there hadn't been enough time for rider numbers to increase in accordance with the improved facilities.