The City of Ballarat continues to plug gaps in its bike network, and the next link in the chain is a busy street approaching the scenic Lake Wendouree.
Macarthur Street runs east to west, connecting Lake Wendouree with a future bike route along Creswick Road.
Already a popular walking and bike riding route to the lake, Macarthur Street features no dedicated bike infrastructure and has a lack of safe crossings for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, community feedback suggests cars often drive at high speed along Macarthur Street and that it is a popular option for rat-running through the area.
The council is undertaking a streetscape improvement project for Macarthur Street to address these issues and improve the safety and comfort for those riding and walking.
Proper bike infrastructure will also connect routes three and four in the Ballarat Bicycle Network, a network of continuous and safe bike routes linking key destinations across the city.
Draft plans are now on public exhibition and the council is inviting the community to have their say before 27 May.
The plans depict a 2.5m wide bi-directional shared path on the northern side of Macarthur Street. This would involve a realignment of the link to the 6km recreational path around Lake Wendouree, the removal of some existing trees and the planning of new ones.
Some angled parking would make way for parallel parking and separate the kerbside bike lane from motor traffic.
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