Wollongong is reimagining its CBD as a lively and modern urban centre lined with liveable streets – and it sees bikes as a big part of the picture.
The draft Wollongong City Centre Movement and Place Plan, developed through community consultation, seeks to reshape the way people access and experience the city centre.
And just like forward-thinking cities around the world, that pursuit involves a boost in bike-ability and sustainable modes of travel.
Up to 79% of city centre workers travel by car, 6% walk and 1% travel by bike. The council notes that 45% of people are open to changing their commuting habits, but they choose to drive because car travel and parking is efficient.
Wollongong City Council also says its residents have a healthy appetite for recreational bike riding – a 47% participation rate over the last year – a figure well above state and national averages.
The draft report notes that recreational riding can act as a gateway for functional bike riding trips such as work commutes, shopping trips and more, and the council hopes to tap into this underlying interest and build a robust, every day bike riding culture.
Central to the objective will be a cohesive network of north-south and east-west bike routes that connect key destinations by way of separated lanes, shared paths and high-quality infrastructure.
Other elements of the plan include high-quality public transport, pedestrianised zones such as laneways and “little streets”, extensive tree planting, safer speed limits for motor traffic and better management of car parking.
If you live or work in Wollongong, you’re encouraged to take a look at the draft plan here and have your say via the survey here by 18 August.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.