Bike lane bid falls

Alex de Vos
Torquay cyclists have slammed Vicroads for rejecting an application to build a bike path on a busy road.
Torquay Life Activities Club’s Klaus Haack said he was “disappointed” Vicroads had knocked back Surf Coast Shire’s bid for the bike lane on Horseshoe Bend Road.
“It’s a very popular road for bike riders and it’s pretty dangerous,” the 72-year-old rider said.
“If a car is coming toward you and there is one behind then the car can’t pass.
“On two occasions I have been knocked off.”
The two-lane road has grown increasingly busy in recent years with the growth of residential estates either side in Torquay.
Cyclists, commuters leaving town and workers heading to Torquay building projects jostle for position on the road most mornings and after work on weekdays. Large groups of cyclists use the road on weekends with motorists.
Mr Haack said the life activities club had called for a bike path on Horseshoe Bend Road “ages ago”.
“Bike paths around Torquay are ridiculous – all other councils are getting grants and we get nothing,” he said.
“We’ve been trying to get something done for ages but nothing seems to happen.”
Torquay cyclist John Randall said the road would remain “dangerous” without a cycling lane.
“There is a definite need for a bike path,” Mr Randall said.
“The section that is particularly bad is from Torquay to Blackgate Road. It’s used a lot by cyclists and it’s very dangerous.”
Torquay councillor Ron Humphrey was “extremely disappointed” Vicroads had rejected the shire’s grant application to build the bike lane.
“I asked for this road to be widened because of the incredible number of bike groups that use it and it’s incredibly dangerous,” Cr Humphrey said.
“On the Surf Coast we promote a healthy lifestyle and are committed to creating that lifestyle but our request seems to have flown right across Vicroads’ bows.”
Vicroads regional director Duncan Elliot said the project was not a “high priority”, although it would be considered in the future.
“Projects that form part of the principal bicycle network in the metropolitan area or priority bicycle routes in major cities and towns in regional Victoria are given high priority,” he said.