Safe cycling network pinned for city

Wangaratta is one of four Victorian regional cities pegged for priority safe cycling corridors, part of a strategy costing up to $620 million across the state over the next decade. The other three regional cities are Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, along with 12 priority cycling corridor routes in Melbourne. Under the Infrastructure Victoria strategy 2025–2055, modelling shows that Wangaratta would see a 5-fold increase in the number of kilometres cycled following Victorian Government investment in safe cycling corridors. Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear said, "Cities around the world show that when you invest in cycling infrastructure, people choose to take a bike for short trips”. He said many Victorians would like to ride, but they don't because they are worried about safety. "Better connected bike infrastructure that is separated from traffic helps more people choose to ride, including young people, women and less confident riders," Dr Spear said. "People using micro mobility devices like electric scooters are also safer with separated bike infrastructure.” Dr Spear said the recommended network of 16 priority cycling corridors would create 250km of continuous and safe bike connections for Victorian cyclists. Stakeholder feedback, crash hotspots, council priorities and new modelling helped determine where the government should prioritise its investment over the next 10 years. “When cycling infrastructure is safer and connects to places people travel, like shopping precincts and other activity centres, more people are likely to choose to ride," he said. "This is especially true in more compact areas and for short trips." Infrastructure Victoria estimates that building a safe cycling network in Melbourne and regional cities will cost $500 million to $620 million over 10 years. The investment would include building protected cycling corridors and other supporting infrastructure like physical barriers, upgrading traffic signals and new cycle pavements, depending on the location. Wangaratta Cycling Club president Paul Somerville said it is very supportive of all initiatives that encourage people to ride their bikes more often. "The barriers to riding need to be dismantled so that more of our residents feel safe cycling on our roads and paths," Mr Somerville said. "Having an integrated network of roads and paths where cyclists can ride safely while commuting around Wangaratta is essential. "The health and environmental benefits are enormous if more people start to choose cycling as their preferred commuting method in town. "As a society, our sedentary lifestyle tendencies are increasing with serious ramifications for our obesity rates and health outcomes. "Cycling is a great form of recreation that creates significant health and mental well-being benefits." Mr Somerville said the Wangaratta Cycling Club would also like to encourage the development of an off-road cycling precinct where our community can ride safely, and learn and develop their life-long cycling safety and skills. He said this cycling precinct would cover all aspects of bike riding including road, gravel riding, mountain biking and learning how to ride a bike. Rural City of Wangaratta CEO Brendan McGrath said council strongly supports development of safe cycling networks, which will deliver significant benefits for Wangaratta and surrounding communities. Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055 makes 45 recommendations to the Victorian Government across infrastructure sectors including transport, health, housing, energy, social infrastructure and the environment. It also identifies eight future options for the government to consider. The updated strategy aims to offer practical, evidence-based advice on the projects, policies and reforms most critical to Victoria’s growth and resilience over the next three decades. New evidence and analysis, together with stakeholder and community feedback, have directly informed updates to the strategy.

Safe cycling network pinned for city

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