Bike group advocates for safer paths

WITH the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the planning stages, members of one community group are hoping it brings funding opportunities to improve the transport infrastructure in the City of Greater Bendigo.

As part of that push, Bike Bendigo president Nicola Dunnicliff-Wells has called for upgrades to bike paths to be included in planned infrastructure builds ahead of the games.

“This is a great opportunity,” she said. “Bendigo is a great size, it has a great climate, it’s a real opportunity to for us to be a showcase for active travel.”

Ms Dunnicliff-Wells said she’s a passionate advocate for active travel and that more people would bike regularly if Bendigo’s existing bike paths were upgraded to be safer and better connected.

In a survey conducted last year, Bike Bendigo found the primary barriers people faced when considering whether to bike to work or school were gaps in safe bike paths and an under-developed biking culture.

“I think we need some resources to support people to go by bike,” Ms Dunnicliff-Wells said.

“I’m talking about a campaign, promotion and also it might be things like programs to help people feel confident on their bike.”

According to Ms Dunnicliff-Wells plans are in the works to connect the Back Creek Trail, the Bendigo Creek Trail and the Long Gully Trail.

These plans include separated on-road bike lanes and the Bendigo lowline.

Ms Dunnicliff-Wells said discussion with the City about improving Bendigo’s cycling infrastructure had been positive but ultimately it would come down to State Government funding.

“Council is really going in the right direction, with doing as much they can, doing a lot to support active transport during the games and beyond,” she said.

“We’re really pleased with the discussions we’ve had.”