Better bike routes to be rolled out

RIDING a bike in and out of central Geelong and other suburbs will soon be safer and easier with the construction of two new cycling routes.

The City of Greater Geelong has received a $4.7 million grant from the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Safer Pedestrian and Cyclist Fund for the Building Better Bike Connections project.

The southern link will connect central Geelong to Waurn Ponds via Belmont, using Gheringhap Street, Carr Street, Moorabool Street, High Street and Colac Road.

The western link will connect central Geelong and Herne Hill via Geelong West, using Villamanta Street, Pizer Street, Bigmore Street, Gertrude Street and Sydenham Avenue.

The routes have been designed to connect with existing and future bike paths, and will include a combination of protected bike lanes (where bikes are separated from cars) and a shared road system (where cars and bikes share the road).

Residents and businesses on the routes will be consulted on the details of the plans in January. Works are expected to start in the second quarter of 2018 and finish in mid-2019.

The city has also received a $1.4 million grant from the TAC’s Pedestrian Serious Casualty Area Program to deliver pedestrian improvements across central Geelong.

City mayor Cr Bruce Harwood said about 40,000 trips were made in and out of central Geelong by workers, but only two per cent of trips were made by bike.

“Considering 70 per cent of all commuter trips into central Geelong are within easy cycling range, it’s clear we need better bike connections to make it safer and easier for people to ride.

“Our goal is for at least half of all journeys to work to be made by public transport, walking or cycling.”

Quotes attributed to Bike Safe’s Barton van Laar said his group commended the state government and the city for embracing the Principal Bicycle Network.

“We are thrilled Geelong is getting its fair share of funding from this state initiative.

“Separating cyclists from pedestrians and motor vehicles will attract up to 60 per cent of all people who will consider cycling, if safe to do so.

“It will also encourage more cycling commuters to the CBD.”