Comments sought on proposed bike connections

THE City of Greater Geelong is seeking feedback on its planned Western and Southern Link bike connections.

In accordance with the TAC’s Safer Pedestrian and Cyclist Fund and its own Building Better Bike Connections project, the city received a $6.3 million grant to create two new cycling connections to encourage cyclists to safely ride to commercial and recreational destinations such as employment and shopping precincts.

The Western Link will connect central Geelong with Herne Hill via Geelong West, while the Southern Link will conjoin central Geelong with Waurn Ponds via Belmont.

The Western Link and the first stage of the Southern Link (Moorabool, Carr and Gheringhap streets in Geelong) have already been completed.

Chair of the council’s transport portfolio Cr Bruce Harwood said the community was encouraged to use the new connections and provide feedback in order to improve the way that cyclists can access the city and its surrounds.

“We would love to hear your experiences on the completed sections of the project,” Cr Harwood said.

“This will help us to identify if any further improvements can be made to the links.”

After delivering the Western Link and the first stage of the Southern connection, the council voted at its March meeting to run a tender process for the construction of the second stage of the Southern Link.

Engagements for the second stage of the link were originally put to council in 2019 aimed at determining the preferred designs for the second stage connection.

The council resolved on the engagement in April 2019, electing to endorse Option 2B, which would deliver a proposed cyclist section on High Street in Belmont.

This segment, which would flow between Mt Pleasant and Roslyn roads, will provide cyclists separate bike lanes along the stretch, while increasing pedestrian safety along the stretch.

The city says the new design will also include car parking changes and safer speeds, which will increase road safety for all users.

Cr Harwood said the detailed design of the second stage of the Southern Link could be viewed through the community consultation process and input by the community is recommended.

“We would appreciate your input into anything that you think we may not have captured in the design,” he said.

You can view the design and provide your comments via the ‘Have Your Say’ page before May 23 at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/building-better-bike-connections.

The city will be contacting community members who contributed to initial engagements and encouraging them to view the Have Your Say page.