Shared trails on the right path

ACTIVE residents will now be the beneficiaries of improved path connections in East Geelong, Lara, and Corio this summer.

A new shared path on Boundary Road in East Geelong will help Greater Geelong residents in the eastern suburbs to travel to and from the Bellarine Rail Trail to Eastern Gardens.

The path connecting the Barwon River Trail, Bellarine Rail Trail, Eastern Gardens, Geelong Waterfront and the Bay Trail is linked to the region’s wider trail network.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the improvements would provide further encouragement for residents to remain active.

“We all understand the benefits of cycling, running or walking and these improved connections will assist people across the region to get out and about,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“The projects are about filling in gaps within the broader network and building new trails across the region.”

The Boundary Road path includes a new crossing type called a Shared User Path (SUP) crossing.

The crossing gives cyclists and pedestrians right of way over motorists with the added benefit of allowing cyclists to cross without having to get off their bikes, with ‘Give Way’ signs on both sides.

Shared trail users around Lara will also benefit from the development of stage two of the Hovells Creek shared path, running between Flinders Avenue and Curletts Road.

This installation creates a continuous link from Station Lake Road to Windermere Road, Lara.

The region’s most recent addition is the Bacchus Marsh Road shared user path between Purnell Road and the abattoir, as well as an upgrade of the carpark at St Francis Xavier Primary School.

Cr Jim Mason hinted residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs can expect exciting developments shortly.

“Residents will welcome these developments, particularly the improved links they will create,” Cr Mason said.

“Meanwhile, the city is installing these types of crossings on shared paths across the region, so our residents might also see them in new locations soon.

“The next step in developing Lara’s trail network will look at the best routes to help shared path users access Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs.”

The improvements are part of the implementation of the council’s Shared Trails Master Plan, which aims to create a connected network of trails across the region.