On a recent trip to Canberra ACT and in NSW South Coast Regional Councils areas I have noticed that in Mount Druitt Hub, we are lacking in shared cycle pathways or special lanes for cyclists. Comparisons show that we are behind the times!
The Blacktown City Council current Blacktown City Council Bike Plan 2013 shows little cycle routes around this busy hub, that cyclists have a legal right to ride on. In theses important areas, there is is no cycle route even to connect to other cycle routes within Blacktown LGA: Minchinbury, Whalan, Mount Druitt West, Emerton, Lethbridge Park, Bidwill, Hassall Grove and no links to Ropes Crossing route. Additional to this, Ropes Crossing is well looked after compared to older suburbs that hasn't been even looked at.
When you compare to other Councils, cycleways are on major arterial roads - in Mount Druitt the Major arterial roads are Great Western Highway, Luxford Road, Carlisle Avenue and Popondetta Road. You will notice on our cycle map, areas hardly touched.
Canberra City Council (our nations capital) seems to be better funded then a larger populated Council as Blacktown City Council. I now think that that there has to be a push in Blacktown City Council to make cycle pathways connect to each other, colourful signs with information of the route of the cycle pathway and signs indicating historical places of interest etc. The signs must not be in black and white colourful signs attract the community to go more into healthy living cycling. Canberra has hundreds of community members (even in family groups) cycling around the city
Eurobodalla Shire Council has gone steps further to have volunteers planned and worked on new cycle pathways since 1986. They have beautiful coastal pathways that is used quite regularly.
Shoalhaven Shire Council also has been working towards 'Bike friendly Streets' and have well managed and planned coastal cycle pathways that encourage people to use cycles around the area.
Click here for ACT Cycle Maps
Click Here for Eurobodalla Shire Council
Click here for Shoalhaven City Council Cycle Plans
Although Regional Councils may plan differently to Blacktown City Council compared to area and landscape, we can do better to make Cycle Paths connect throughout all communities.
1 comment:
Before that we actually need cyclists who actually believe in sharing. Had too many close calls on shared paths where I work (North Ryde).
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