The finishing touches have been applied to a bike lane in Perth, providing riders with a relaxing route to local shops, restaurants and urban amenities.
The Perth suburb of Carlisle centres around a cluster of businesses along Archer and Mint Streets, and the Town of Victoria Park is revitalising the precinct to improve walkability and vibrancy.
Among the upgrades are protected bike lanes running almost the entire length of Archer and Mint streets, which are being constructed in stages.
Works are now complete on the second stage, which spans Gemini Way to Star Street, connecting with the already completed first stage through to the Carlisle CBD.
Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon says the lanes will encourage more people to choose bike riding as a mode of active transport and enhance the journey of experienced bike riders.
“We are excited to celebrate this vital infrastructure with the community, whose early input to the Streetscape Improvement Plan called for a pedestrian and cyclist-focused environment in the heart of Carlisle," says Vernon.
The Town of Victoria Park carried out public consultation for the Archer Mint Streetscape Improvement Plan in 2020. This revealed the community’s priorities were increased shading and tree canopy, improved walkability around local business and improved safety and access for alternative modes of transport.
The first phase of the streetscape improvement plan delivered narrower motor traffic lanes, road treatments, upgraded paving, trees and greenery.
The council says this decreased traffic speeds through the town centre by 6.6%, boosted tree canopy coverage from 17% to 40%, and decreased the street surface temperature.
Stage three of the protected bike lanes will connect the Carlisle CBD to Hubert Street further south, once the new Metronet train station is completed in the area.
“With even more improvements planned for our Carlisle Town Centre, and a future stage of the protected bike lanes to connect riders to Metronet’s new Carlisle train station and shared public space, the future of Archer Street is bright,” says Vernon.
The council is planning a community bike ride and street celebration on Saturday 19 October to mark the opening of the new bike lanes. You can find out more here.
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