The City of Greater Bendigo's draft 'Walk, Cycle Greater Bendigo Strategy' seeks to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to walk and ride bikes more often.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr. Margaret O’Rourke has invited residents to view and make comment on the draft strategy which can be viewed online at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au or at City of Greater Bendigo offices in Bendigo and Heathcote until Friday May 17, 2019.
The strategy was developed in response to initial feedback from residents to improve walking and bike riding accessibility in the region.
"Residents told us that they want to be separated from cars when riding a bicycle, more support for more organised walking groups, Bendigo's trail networks to be connected and activated and more maps and directional information on our walking and cycling network," Cr O'Rourke said.
"Officers have used that feedback to develop a draft strategy that we hope can deliver a network that works for everyone."
"We want to undertake projects and initiatives that will make it safer and easier for our residents to cycle and walk for everyday travel and recreation."
The draft document emphasises the importance of incorporating active transport in to our everyday lives, stating in the introduction:
"Walking and cycling can be many things to many people. It is our most
simple and affordable way to travel to places and activities for people of
all ages and all abilities"
"When we walk and cycle we contribute to creating better places and environments, healthier people, better connected communities and more viable businesses"
"By making everyday walking and cycling easier and more comfortable, these benefits can be shared more equitably by more people across Greater Bendigo."
The draft strategy identifies a range of key infrastructure projects for progression and/or further investigation, including:
- Implementing the university to city centre walking and cycling route.
- Linking towns to Bendigo (Huntly, Eaglehawk, Maiden Gully).
- Developing a Regional City Trail – linking seven existing urban trails to complete a continuous 22km trail loop around Bendigo’s middle suburbs, comparable to Melbourne’s Capital City Trail.
- Developing the Bendigo Creek Low-line trail.
- Developing a protected cycleway minimum grid for the city centre.
- Developing the Ewing Park Walking and Cycling Activation Hub.
- Improving trail crossings and priority road crossings.
Comments on the strategy are encouraged by The City of Greater Bendigo before May 17.
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