The City of Wollongong has released an exciting new plan to create a more bike friendly city, with the Draft Wollongong Cycling Strategy 2030 out now and encouraging feedback until Monday 17 August.
This plan was developed using community feedback from a 2019 survey and aligns with the Wollongong 2028 Community Strategic Plan, which aims to continue to create a more connected and sustainable future.
The council unanimously approved the $4 million bike budget, with $1.8M (including $875,000 from a government grant) dedicated to constructing 15 new cycleway projects over the next three years.
The draft strategy outlines Wollongong's bold bike vision built on five priority pillars:
SAFE – We will invest in safe cycling infrastructure and educate our community on safe behaviour.
CONVENIENT – We will prioritise infrastructure that supports convenient cycling as a sustainable and well-integrated mode of transport.
PLANNED – We will actively plan and implement strategies to improve cycling in Wollongong to facilitate increased participation in the future.
BUSINESS, TOURISM & EVENTS – We will promote and support cycling in Wollongong as a fun, attractive and sustainable way of life.
INNOVATION – We will actively engage in and support innovative solutions that inform and encourage greater participation in riding.
The strategy aims to increase weekly participation in bike riding from 12.9% to 20% over the next 10 years, and includes plans such as:
- Building a new pump track at Cringila Hills
- Construction of a multi-use crit track (location yet to be decided)
- Expanding the city's cycling network from 120km to 215km
- Additional cycleways along Princes Highway, Crown Street and Lawrence Hargrave Drive
The bike riding community in the area are encouraged to complete a feedback form to share your thoughts about the draft strategy before Monday 17 August.
There is also an interactive cycling map where you can drop a pin and leave a comment about your experience riding bikes in Wollongong.
More NSW Government funding for the region
In further good news, these are more bike plans in the area set for state funding, with Bicycle NSW listing the following six projects from the Wollongong 2022 Legacy Partnership Program.
- Southlake BMX - Resurface and seal the BMX track at Croome Sporting Complex
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation - Develop an lllawarra Shoalhaven Cycling Prospectus
- Shoalhaven City Council - Upgrade the bicycle pump-track at Kangaroo Valley
- Illawarra Cycling Club - Upgrade of facilities at Unanderra Velodrome
- The Council of the Municipality of Kiama - Procure a modular pump Track for active recreation in various locations
- Cycling NSW - Traffic Management Training and Education for volunteers
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