Four kilometres of new and improved cycleways and footpaths across the city will be built. Photo: File.
Cycling lobby group Pedal Power has taken aim at the ACT Government’s latest infrastructure announcement, criticising the width of cycle paths included in the $5 million swag of projects.
Upgrades and extensions to footpaths and cycleway networks are part of a raft of new infrastructure projects being rolled out to maintain jobs during the COVID-19 contraction.
The extra $5 million in projects announced on Wednesday (22 April) adds to the already announced $20 million program of so-called ‘screwdriver-ready’ works.
Transport Canberra and City Services Minister Chris Steel said these fast-tracked projects would help local construction businesses keep more Canberrans employed while renewing local infrastructure across the city.
Pedal Power praised the government for using part of this stimulus package to create some small sections of path but said very few of these improvements would be built to cycle path standard.
”The majority of new paths will be 1.5 to 2-metres wide, whereas cycle paths or shared paths should be at least 2.5-metres wide,” it said.
“We remain hopeful that further stimulus funding will be used on much larger and more strategic missing links, path upgrades and separated cycleways.”
Pedal Power said it had written to Mr Steel in March and provided him with a list of road and path projects from across Canberra which would most improve the safety and convenience of cycling in the ACT but none of these projects were included in the stimulus package.
”Unprecedented numbers of Canberrans have taken to riding again as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown,” Pedal Power said. “The government has a wonderful opportunity to invest money into improving our existing cycling infrastructure and to build new cycle paths as a way to encourage people to keep using active travel once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.”
Mr Steel said the program had focused on screwdriver-ready works that could start immediately so local businesses could keep workers employed now, with works scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2020.
“While our primary aim is to support jobs, we are taking this opportunity to bring forward projects which deliver much-needed upgrades and maintenance to public spaces and community facilities.”
It’s a good time to upgrade cycle paths to standard, says Pedal Power. Photo: Supplied.
Among the projects is more than $9 million in works to upgrade and build new footpaths, improve road safety, upgrade waste and transport facilities and undertake landscaping in open spaces.
“Path and crossing improvements have been requested by members of the community or have been identified as missing links in our shared path network that will help to encourage walking and cycling,” he said.
This includes over 4 km of new and improved cycleways and footpaths across the city, such as a 1500 metre footpath in Belconnen from the southern side of Southern Cross Drive, and an 800 metre footpath between Streeton Drive and the corner of John Gorton Drive and Cotter Road, connecting Weston Creek with Molonglo.
The government was also investing in recycled products in city infrastructure by installing bollards made of recycled plastic bags throughout Canberra.
“The government will also be funding work to repair pavers, undertake mulching around trees and garden beds and refreshing shade structures and seating in open spaces.”
Other projects include new pedestrian crossings in Narrabundah and Belconnen, the installation of traffic calming measures in Weston, improving facilities for staff at Transport Canberra depots, and deep cleaning and repainting bus shelters across the Territory.
Mr Steel said the government would be funding further projects to be announced in the coming weeks as contracts are signed.
“Importantly the Government is also getting on with delivering existing infrastructure program, with construction work underway on projects like the Tuggeranong Laneways project and the Belconnen Bikeway,” he said.
Mr Steel said governments shouldn’t be stepping back from delivering infrastructure during the pandemic as it was going to be so important for the recovery.
”Government is taking up the slack where the private sector is not putting a lot of work to market, so the government is increasing the amount of work it’s doing with existing construction partners,” he said. ”They may end up employing more people, particularly where private projects have stopped.”
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This is a great investment in our city. Bike riding is great for the health of individuals and the environment, so let's keep them safe 🙂.
Sick of this lot
Tuggers bike paths are a disgrace and positively dangerous. You can't just lay this stuff down and walk away for 30 years. It needs real maintenance and not just band-aids.
The issue is the width of shared paths...just make it a law that pedestrians have to get off the path when a cyclist approaches or rings their bell.
Improve the link from Belconnen to gungahlin
Some of the lanes are filthy and full of glass poses a danger to everyone on the roads
It is hard to believe that the lobby group that pays nothing for transport infrastructure still complains that they are not getting enough (freebies).
David Brown Do tell? Most cyclists are also motorists. And ratepayers. And taxpayers. Even schoolchildren pay GST on many things and all of that money returns to states and territories.
Perhaps we'd have a higher level of debate if people were better informed?
Pedal power only care about the cyclist, where as the Gov seems to be try to provide for many. I support the many.
Marc Edwards who would have thought hey? A cycling association only caring about cyclists!
How about putting a concrete footpath around Gold Creek Senior School instead of the mud they have to walk in now.How about they go look at the barb wire fence the footpath was from the traffic lights gives them a good place to jump over.The neglect ,and no bus shelters at that school is disgusting .Forget the bikepaths , give the school a footpath.
Please include speed bumps to deter those who believe our cycle paths are race tracks. Speed cameras hmmm , Fines for no bell 🔔
I just wrote to the Transport Minister on pretty much this topic: "Dear Minister
I have been meaning to write to you for some time.
I believe that by allowing cyclists to use Kuringa Drive between Owen Dixon Drive and the Barton Highway is extremely dangerous. That stretch of road is narrow, and has a very high amount of road traffic. It is often accessed by large double-D trucks, cement trucks etc., which really can’t stop quickly in a difficult situation.
For instance, yesterday I was returning from the supermarkets in Casey. As I proceeded along Kuringa Drive, just after the lights on the Barton Highway, I noticed that the traffic was held up from the lights, forward towards the Owen Dixon turnoff. Eventually, I realised that a single cyclist was holding up all the traffic. It is usually impossible to safely pass a cyclist on that particular stretch of road, due to the heavy traffic. So, a single cyclist can create difficulties by using that road, for other road users, and not to forget the danger to themselves as they are just as “stuck” as everyone else.
This is not unusual. I just hope that it doesn’t take a fatality to bring this issue to the correct authorities. The irony is that there is another route available to cyclists. It is an old dirt track, that parallels the roadway, and is a very safe distance from the motor traffic. I have seen families, all on bicycles, accessing the alternate route, so it is evidently usable and far, far safer.
Perhaps, signage would be helpful. Also, an upgrade of the existing track might be the solution.
I hope this issue is dealt with. I would hate to see any injuries or deaths as a result of this problem.
Yours sincerely,
Frances Ingram sadly there will always be people who prefer to endanger their lives or the lives of others. If motorists behaved in this way they would be fined etc. nothing will change until our government creates a system which separates cyclists from vehicles on main routes and areas over 60km speed limits. I often hear the argument that cars and bikes share the roads in Europe etc, true but the cars don’t travel at Canberra high speeds.
FYI - I’m a cyclist, I use paths over the road. Our paths definitely need to be improved, widened and perhaps some areas need 3 lanes?
I’m often passed on paths by cyclists traveling over 40+ kms, they do this with out any warning ⚠️ I don’t understand why they don’t warn they are approaching or why they pass closely at great speed.
Frances Ingram there's a lot of roads cyclists should not be allowed on, Black Mtn Rd is one.
Sher Young It is my experience that most people overtaking do warn they are coming. I too warn when I am passing, although I have had people wearing earphones who dispute this, even after I rang my bell more than once.
Frances Ingram you are spot on. We have both narrowly avoided head on crashes on Kuringa Drive where a driver has overtaken a cyclist. Sure, if there had been an impact it would be the driver’s fault, but that doesn’t help me when I’m a smear on the road. Hopefully the widening of Kuringa Drive will help, but in the meantime, cyclists, please, please don’t use this road 🙏🏻
It wouldn’t hurt to fix some of the city’s footpaths too. East Row, for one, is a disgrace
I hope they add better lighting to some of these bike paths.
It's good to see footpaths and cycleways in the programme of works and yes, there must be more. Thanks, ACT Government!
Nicci Bicci I care about this now 🚴🏻♀️ lol