At last night’s Council meeting, City of Greater Geelong Councillors resolved to request that the Chief Executive Officer investigate a strategic review of the Principal Bicycle Network.
The City will seek the assistance from key stakeholders on conducting the review, including the Department of Transport, and the Transport Accident Commission, along with seeking feedback from across the community.
Developed jointly by the Department of Transport and the City, the Principal Bicycle Network includes existing and proposed cycling routes connecting key destinations. The network helps decide where future cycling connections should be provided to provide safe and convenient infrastructure for people travelling by bicycle.
Councillors also resolved to not award a contract for the southern link of the Building Better Bike Connections project between Central Geelong and Waurn Ponds, which was proposed to include a section on High Street in Belmont.
In April 2019, Council previously resolved to progress option 2b for the design and tender for cycle lanes on High Street, Belmont. However, a decision to award the tender was deferred at Council’s meeting in July 2022.
The decision not to award the tender was based on community feedback and trader concerns about the suitability of High Street as part of the route.
Councillors said they continued to support the principle of increasing bicycle lanes in Greater Geelong to increase activity transport and reduce the City’s reliance on cars.
Work has previously been completed on the western link between Geelong, Geelong West and Herne Hill and the southern link from central Geelong to the river along Gheringhap, Carr and Moorabool streets.
Kardinia Ward Councillor Ron Nelson
I want to make sure that when we build bike lanes, they’re safe for riders, they’re safe for drivers, and they’re safe for pedestrians. This is our chance to pause the project, re-set a strategic direction, and get the right bike lanes for our town.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
It’s a real challenge trying to retrofit roads for bike lanes so it’s appropriate that we have a fresh look at the principal bike network. We want to deliver a network that doesn’t create division in our community, allows cyclists to safely ride to destinations like shopping areas and key employment precincts while minimising impacts on local traffic.
