Call for cash to fix ‘neglect of cycling’

Andrew Mathieson
THE region’s “sadly neglected” cycling infrastructure desperately needs state and federal government funding, according to bicycle safety body.
Bike Safe Geelong president Barton Van Laar said “insufficient” funding had led to neglect of existing lanes and paths for cyclists as well as inadequate investment in new infrastructure for the growing population.
Mr Van Laar issued his funding call after a series of cyclist deaths in collisions with vehicles on the region’s roads during the past few years.
The tragedies continued last month with the death of a cyclist on the Bellarine Peninsula’s Murradoc Road.
Mr Van Laar said Bike Safe Geelong was “working with authorities” to improve safety on roads and trails but an urgent funding injection was essential.
“That includes existing infrastructure that doesn’t currently meet Victorian standards with regards to width, signage and treatments of roads.
“We’ve also identified a number, around 10 or 11, hazardous roads in the region with no bike paths at all.”
Mr Van Laar said Bike Safe Geelong had urged State Government to provide funding for “priority hazard roads” including Horseshoe Bend, 13th Beach and Murradoc roads.
New cycling infrastructure was also essential in growth areas such as Drysdale, Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove, Torquay, Bannock-burn and Apollo Bay, he said.
“But our current roads need to be brought up to scratch before governments even consider investment to cope with the predicted population growth.”
Geelong councillor Andy Richards this week said it was time City Hall worked with higher levels of government on improving road safety for cyclists.
“This includes an on-road cycle route from the Surf Coast through my council ward (from Barwon Heads to Grovedale and Waurn Ponds) and over the bridge into Ocean Grove and from there all the way around the Bellarine Peninsula,” he said.
“Council should prepare a document that clearly sets out an on-road safe-cycling route.
“There is also another side to this which is about planning for families and children who want to cycle. They may not want to go on road and that’s fair enough, so council should be seeking funding from the State Government to ensure mums and dads can get out and have a ride with their children.”