Push for safe cycling route between Geelong and Torquay

THERE are few things more humbling in life than watching your 80-year-old father pull away from you on a bike ride, reminding you who really has the leg power. But that’s exactly what happened to me last weekend.

On Saturday, we joined thousands of cyclists for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race People’s Ride, completing the 63km in just under three hours. I’ve only been riding seriously for the past ten years, but Dad has been cycling for as long as I can remember. Together, we’ve explored many of the roads featured in Cadel’s road race, and I can assure you there are few more spectacular places to ride!

The race draws about 120,000 spectators and showcases the stunning scenery of our region to an estimated national television audience of 1.3 million.

We want local cyclists, and those aspiring to get on the pedals, to enjoy this beautiful scenery and feel safe doing so. Not just during wonderful events like this but every day.

Because cycling is amazing for your health.

It’s a low impact and easy-to-learn exercise suitable for people of all ages, which uses a range of muscle groups and has a low risk of injury.

It improves cardiovascular fitness, joint mobility and mental health, and can decrease the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

But while some cyclists feel comfortable riding daily in peak hour traffic, not everyone has the confidence or experience to cycle on a busy road.

This is not surprising, as cyclists are relatively vulnerable road users. Some cyclists, like myself, have been in accidents (I’ve been doored – it wasn’t nice) and seek out dedicated cycling infrastructure wherever they can.

Which is why we are advocating for a new safe cycling route between Geelong and Torquay.

Our proposed Safe Cycling Link will create a continuous, accessible and safe off-road corridor connecting these two major regional centres, promoting active transport, tourism and community wellbeing.

The City of Greater Geelong and our neighbours at the Surf Coast Shire, supported by a TAC grant, have already completed comprehensive analysis and community consultation to identify the optimal route.

The proposed link would extend along Horseshoe Bend Road, Warralily Boulevard, the Armstrong Creek transit corridor, Barwarre Road and Barwon Heads Road, and through Marshall via the shared path alongside the railway line.

The link is designed to integrate with existing paths and new infrastructure, including within the Armstrong Creek growth area.

This means the proposed link will be hugely beneficial to residents living in Charlemont Ward, which is home to the fastest-growing population in Geelong.

And to avoid the culture war that seems to surface whenever cycling is mentioned, this project benefits people who don’t ride as well!

Dedicated cycling infrastructure means fewer riders sharing space with cars, and more people choosing to cycle instead of drive – reducing traffic, congestion and pressure on our local roads.

Now all we need is support from the Victorian Government to make it happen.

With the state election coming up in November, I urge all candidates for our electorate of South Barwon to commit funding to this link to support the health, wellbeing and sustainability of our community for generations to come.

I look forward to putting my mettle to the pedals and advocating to make this fantastic project a reality.

Cr Emma Sinclair

Charlemont Ward, City of Greater Geelong