A new three-kilometre off-road shared-use path is close to completion linking Wendouree Station to Waringa Drive via Learmonth Road.
This new section will provide safer, more enjoyable and higher quality walking and cycling facilities for residents of the western suburbs and provides a major missing link towards Miners Rest.
Upon completion, another major piece will be in place to support the community to seamlessly ride, walk or run from the Yarrowee River and Canadian Creek trails in the south, through the CBD to Victoria Park, then north via Wendouree Station to Miners Rest.
Further works to create a safer pedestrian and cyclists crossing across Grevillea Road have been completed and incorporated as part of these works.
As a regional city, Ballarat continues to invest in the walking, cycling and trail network to provide residents with a high level of active transport connectivity.
The Ballarat Cycle Action Plan 2017 – 2025 is encouraging people to jump on a bike and start to enjoy the trail network.
The plan prioritises delivery of safe and continuous routes, which will have the greatest impact on increasing the number of everyday cyclists and give confidence to those who are interested in riding but not confident to share the road with cars, particularly children, families and those not currently riding.
The works cost a total of $915,000, funded by the State Government.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said it is wonderful to see the walking, cycling and trail infrastructure developing across the city.
“The shared pedestrian and cycling path aims to improve safety for the community in Ballarat, by giving them more safe, convenient and low cost options about how to travel” Cr Hudson said.
“This new safe, separated path means it is suitable for and safe for both inexperienced riders and school children as well as confident commuters. I encourage everyone to head out and give it a try to enjoy the new connection” Cr Hudson said.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said the department was proud to be working with the City of Ballarat to encourage more people to adopt active modes of transport as they travel around the city.
“Creating more connections for bike riders, runners and pedestrians can have significant benefits for congestion, health, and the environment,” they said.
