More bike paths on the way

THE next step in the City of Ballarat and Regional Roads Victoria push for more bike paths as part of Safer Cycling Connections project will get underway soon.

The SCC has been funded by the Transport Accident Commission’s Safer Cycling and Pedestrian Fund with the aim of increasing the opportunity for people to ride their bikes off the road or in low traffic areas across the municipality.

As part of that, the coming weeks will see preparations begin for the next stage of works within the city, which will include a bike path on Grenville Street South between Dana and Little Bridge streets.

City of Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said the cycling network will provide safer separate walking or running, and bike-riding connections for members of the whole community.

“We are delivering on the Council Plan by connecting paths and trails across the city,” he said.

“This next stage of shared paths in Ballarat will create new opportunities for safe active transport for the Ballarat community.”

About $9.3 million from the TAC is going to the Ballarat Safer Cycling Connections project from a $100 million program to increase road safety, especially for cyclists and pedestrians.

Stages of the project in future are expected to develop cycling connections for Lucas and Miners Rest, aiming to encourage more sustainable, non-vehicle-based transport.

Alongside the construction of the Grenville Street shared path, works to boost accessibility will be carried out with the removal of some poplar trees and one plane tree which care currently lifting the footpath.

Mature London plane trees will not be disrupted.