The regional New South Wales city of Orange has unveiled its Active Transport Strategy that puts cycling firmly at the centre of its plans over the next three decades.
At its June 16 meeting, Orange City Council voted to place the Active Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days. The plan outlines the council's commitment to creating more opportunities for people to walk and ride across the city, with 96 cycling-focused projects identified across four delivery timeframes.
More than 60 of the projects are earmarked for the next five years, with stage one including around $10 million of investment across 48 kilometres of new and improved infrastructure. Six projects are slated for the CBD, with three standouts on Clinton, Dalton and Anson Streets each carrying price tags in the $1.5 to $1.7 million range.
Clinton Street is in line for a 1.52km protected bike path; Anson Street would see the same treatment across 1.6km; and Dalton Street could gain a dedicated ‘quietway’ spanning 1.7km.
Orange Council anticipates an increase in the number of locals and visitors opting for bikes over cars in the coming years and is planning to expand bike parking facilities.
Council has set a goal of installing at least one bike hoop every 100 metres on each side of the street in high-pedestrian-activity areas.
Other considerations include the council looking at reducing speed limits where cycling routes have been proposed. Specifically, one option would be to reduce speed limits to 30km/h on the roads designated as ‘quietways’.
The plan will be on display at Council offices for 28 days. More at www.orange.nsw.gov.au
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