Survey identifies most dangerous road on the Bellarine

LOCAL cyclists believe Portarlington-Queenscliff Road is the most hazardous road on the Bellarine, a Bike Safe survey has found.

Cyclists said this was because it had no shoulders and vehicles travelled along it at 100 kmh.

The road was the biggest concern for the 173 respondents who took part in the survey, with more than 78 per cent ranking it “extremely dangerous or dangerous”.

The road has been the focus of a community-wide campaign led by Bike Safe for speed reductions and widening to accommodate bike lanes.

In March, Bike Safe launched the survey online for two weeks and respondents took the opportunity to contribute their views.

Other hazardous roads rated as extremely dangerous or dangerous were Murradoc Road East, ranked second at nearly 70 per cent; Drysdale- Portarlington Road at more than 60 per cent; and Barwon Heads and 13th Beach Roads, both ranked around 55 per cent.

The Bellarine Rail Trail is well loved but the survey called for significant improvements. Sealing of the Bellarine Rail Trail at Leopold and from Drysdale to Point Lonsdale also ranked highly at around 64 per cent strongly agreeing or agreeing.

However, about 17 per cent disagreed with sealing of the Drysdale to Point Lonsdale section.

There was also a very urgent call to develop better connections to the Bellarine Rail Trail from surrounding towns such as Ocean Grove, Portarlington, St Leonards and Indented Heads.

At the moment, cyclists from these townships have to drive their cars to the trail and park on the side of the roads to gain access.

When asked what new sealed bike paths should feature around the Bellarine Peninsula, about 75 per cent of surveyed cyclists strongly agreed or agreed with separated bike paths along key routes.

These included along Grubb Road (and Tuckfield Street) from Drysdale to Ocean Grove beach; along Portarlington Road (Drysdale to Portarlington); from Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove; and along Banks Road to the Bellarine Rail Trail.

The survey results now form part of the Bellarine Peninsula Cycling Infrastructure Strategy Plan.