The McGowan Government is celebrating the start of Bike Week 2019 with a $6.4 million boost to cycling infrastructure, which will help build an extra 55 kilometres of path over the next two years.
The State Government, as part of the annual Western Australian Bike Network Grants scheme, will match funding for 50 local government cycling projects over two years.
Each year, the State Government provides grant funding assistance to local government authorities for the planning, design and construction of bicycle infrastructure. Funding is split across the Perth metropolitan area and regional WA.
The programs are important initiatives that help to ensure that infrastructure is continuous across local government boundaries, increasing safety and connectivity for residents as well as boosting tourism opportunities for local businesses.
Significant projects in the metropolitan area for this round of funding include:
- $380,000 to the City of Cockburn for a 2.56km shared path along the oil pipeline in Spearwood;
- $401,000 for the City of Gosnells to design and build a 1.3km shared path connecting Beckenham and Kenwick train stations; and
- $290,000 for the City of Nedlands to build a 2km shared path connecting to Fremantle to Perth shared path, major sporting centres and schools.
Meanwhile, regional projects include:
- $315,000 to the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley to complete a cycling loop around the Kununurra town centre;
- $210,000 to the Shire of Collie to design and build the 3.3km shared path as part of stage four of the Collie River Trail; and
- $115,000 towards the City of Greater Geraldton’s North West Coastal Highway Cycle Route.
The 2019 WA Bike Network Grants add to the McGowan Government’s other cycling initiatives across the State, including fixing missing links on major cycling links along Mitchell Freeway, the Fremantle Line and along major roads such as NorthLink WA and Armadale Road.
These major projects will add at least 95km of new bike path across the network, while the WA Bike Network Grants this year will lead to an extra 55km of path.
The full list of funded projects is available at https://www.transport.wa.gov.au
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Across the board there are huge benefits in allowing Western Australians to more easily ride their bikes.
“To get more people riding more often, cycling needs to be accessible and safe, with facilities that encourage new riders to give it a go.
“These grants support local governments to deliver high-quality, continuous and safe cycling infrastructure that is connected to local amenities and integrated with public transport providing opportunities for those who want to ride their bike for leisure or as part of their daily commute.
“The grants program is just one of many ways we are working collaboratively with local governments to enhance recreational, commuter and tourism cycling experiences for residents and visitors to the State.”
List of 2019-20 awarded cycling projects.pdf
