We, In Blacktown City Council LGA Require A Hard Copy Cycyling Map & Promotional Video

We are a fast growing Local Government area, in Blacktown City Council and as we grow, we become a more specialised area for local community areas and tourists. This is especially true when we share with other 'Sister Cities' around the world.

Our onsite Bike Plan May of 2016 is just a map with lines - not indicating exact streets, roads, highways. Sometimes you have to guess which street the  existing shared cycle ways are going.  A hard copy Blacktown Cycle Maps , should be issued every year, including updates and upgrades of new cycle ways or proposed cycle ways.

Inclusive, it should include cycle safety details:  ensuring maintenance and safety lights of bicycles and  dress safety as well - any NSW laws and bi-laws that promote a heath and safety bike/cycle ride. This can be even shown on a Ward by Ward Basis and we can even named cycle routes and listed cycle routes as well.

Sydney City Council, smaller City Council than us, issues a Cycle/bike maps to its business and community  members and we are a larger City Council. To add to this a promotional video could be included to promote  within our own City and to the greater world, including our sister cities.

We hope that the  Blacktown City Council Transport/Traffic Department, its officers and Councillors, place this into important consideration to promote a great City of Blacktown and  to our people of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs.

This is the information on Blacktown's website:

Using Bicycles in Blacktown

Bike paths and Cycleways

Riding a bike is a great way to keep fit, enjoy the great outdoors and see many of the sights around the local area. Blacktown City Council is dedicated to providing a network of off-road cycling tracks and making on-road cycling safer. These cycleways help our residents enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.

When cycling, remember to wear a helmet, give way to pedestrians and obey the road rules.

For your own safety, your bike should be fitted with a bell or warning device; and white front and red rear end reflectors. At night, you must use a headlight and tail light, and wear reflective clothing.

The Blacktown Bike Plan has been created to help cyclists move around the area.  Download a copy here Blacktown Bike Plan 2016

Has Our Roads Around Mount Druitt Improved with Cycle Paths/Roads Over 2 Years Ago?

After over 2 years, we don't see many improvements in Google Maps, Bicycle-friendly roads and dirt/unpaved trails, since this time.

 As I have been asked what improvement have we received, in this period of time? My answer is little or nothing. Yet, we seem to have a growing general public as cyclists. I know it costs money to have shared cycle ways and  grants aren't coming from NSW/Federal Governments towards  these paths in Mount Druitt.


In Mount Druitt South they don't even exist and this is where Blacktown is focussing on Medium Housing in 4/5 stories of units being built, to accommodate a more increased population.

So, maybe after showing this, there can be a concerted effort from stake holders  provide more shared cycle pathways to the people of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs.

Click here for previous post in 2014

Wider Footpaths At Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt And People That Change Signs!

Blacktown City Council are not only looking at improvements, they are doing more improvements. I have noticed at Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt, the old footpaths are being replaced by wider footpaths at the east end of Shennan Walk Way.
 
This could be so that it is suitable for a shared cycle way, that Blacktown City Council  has on Bike Paths and Cycle ways Plan: Click here under Council's Bike Plan 2013 

In fact, this widen of the footpath is path for the new Mount Druitt Hospital to Shennan Walkway shared cycle path.

In Mount Druitt there is a few suburbs that don't even have shared cycleways  or cycleways going through their own heart shops area: Bidwill, Shalvey, Willmot, Emerton, Tregear, Lethbridge Park, Hassall Grove, Whalan, Mount Druitt Village and no connection between Rooty Hill to Mount Druitt via North Parade.

This sign was placed to prevent the community to walk up the path and not proceed in the area, where Blacktown City Council's contractors  were working on above. You wouldn't believe what happened to me on last Thursday the sign was turned around  by a community member that wanted to confuse the rest of the community and have people walk up and ride their cycles up the path, where it was closed.  I turned it so it was how it was on the picture. A gentleman said, 'Why did you do that? I'll turn it around when I come back!' as he rode his cycle without helmet up the path. I actually said Blacktown City Council put it there for a reason!

People in the community don't understand signs are there for a reason, even if this this sign was there for a temporary time. I think it would look more official if it  had a "Blacktown City Council Sing" not a "DMR Sign", which is out of date as it stands for "Department of Main Roads"!

More Shared Cycle Pathways Approved By Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.

At the recent meeting of  Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. meeting yesterday, I  raised and moved a motion, that, 'Blacktown City Council provides more shared cycle paths within the Mount Druitt Suburbs, along major arterial roads that lead to and from all shopping centres.'

At the moment only under 12 year olds are allowed on pathways and anyone else it is illegal. So you ride on the road and people horn you or drive so fast, they want to scare you!

The members at the meeting overwhelmingly passed the motion and will refer this to Blacktown local Council. We are limited in Mount Druitt for cycle ways, plenty around Blacktown and in the new suburb of Ropes Crossing, plenty of cycling!

Councillor Seeking A Possible Solution For Cyclists Within Blacktown Local Government Area!

I have received response from Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, Ward 5 of Blacktown City Councillor in relation to Cyclists improvements as published on this blog .

The suggestion is: 'In Queensland they have the cycleways coloured in a bright aqua colour, so they are easier to see. I have suggested that we do the same in Blacktown and there was talk of using it when new cycleways are built'.

This is a step in the right direction. I also noticed (after quick searching) that Queensland has separated cycle ways guidelines, worth looking at and NSW has a Bicycle website as follows Click Here.

So we have so far one Blacktown City Councilor that is caring for cyclists in Mount Druitt for their future. What can you suggest? Let us know

Mount Druitt Walk Way Overpass Needs Constant Cleaning Improvements and Breath Testing Commuters!

As I was handing out information slips of this website (promoting it) , I got 'Thank you for doing this,' and a couple of  'Cheers'. One man I think he said, 'He is Mount Druitt'! and what I loved was all cheerful smiles. This was as I was handing out on the southern side of the Mount Druitt walk way.

What was intriguing was one lady said I am the one trying to get the buses back in the area. She has a good memory that is how I started with 'Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt & Surrounding suburbs and then Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.  I advised her I am still a member of that group but am focusing on physical improvements around Mount Druitt communities. I also applauded her for her great memory.

One male unnamed Mount Druitt community explained that Mount Druitt has a young community of residents.  A majority of people have been living here for 10 - 5 years or less. I then thought selfishly  that a majority of  people have lived in the area for twenty years or more (like myself). Additional to that there was 2 things that this person thought should be improved:

• There is constant cleaning of the overpass walk way that crosses the T1 Western Railway Line, in between corner of Belmore and North Parades and corner of Beames Avenue an Mount Druitt Road, Mount Druitt. It was strictly expressed that the graffiti should be left on it as it presents sadness the artists want to share.
• Claims that NSW Mount Druitt Police are target commuters coming off the trains at Mount Druitt train, that all people are hard workers and laborers. This is when these commuters have after work drinks, reach their cars and are breath tested and sometimes charged for being over the limit. The suggestion was to charge real drivers who are drunk and should not drive.

Safety Barrier Placed For Cyclists On William Mason Reserve, North Mount Druitt Exit!

I was wondering why safety fence barriers have been placed on the exit of  Foot Path at William Mason Reserve North Mount Druitt. o

The answer is  simply, to prevent cyclists to riding fast heading on Methven Street, North Mount Druitt, which may cause a potential accident, leading to fatalities.


In acknowledging the current Council's progress on making Mount Druitt an improved and better place to live in, I also would like further barrier to be provide to be provided, on the end of right side foot path ( as leading into Methven Street,North Mount Druitt.

Final Stage Of Earl Street, Mount Druitt!

Well after I suggested there was that final bit that had to be completed by Blacktown Council, it has been done. The Cycling paths have been marked (in white). Thank Blacktown City Council, we will be looking forward for other footpath upgrades as well, as needed.

Click Here for previous  blog on Earl Street, Mount Druitt

Nearly Final Stage Of Earl Street, Mount Druitt Footpaths and Cycle Way Improvements!

Great job to Blacktown City Council and  to their concrete sub-contractors, whom have achieved such a wonderfully constructed street footpath improvement. The foot path is slightly wider and looks great!

There is one or two minor  things that need to be done. Some community members have pinched the new grass strips that were laid on the side, they may have to be replaced and I think constant watering ( unless  constant rain comes in), to ensure the grass doesn't die, coming to winter - as the  grass hardly grows.

And lastly, we require as part of the Mount Druitt Cycle path plan, markings on the footpath to indicate it is a cycle path. Previously, it was split into two: indicating which side pedestrians walk and which side the cyclists travel.



Click Here for previous blog on Earl Street, Mount Druitt Footpath and Cycle Way improvements!

Band Aid Fix For William Mason Reserve, Mount Druitt For The Momment!

I have received letter from Richard Amery, NSW Member for Mount Druitt regarding letter from General Manager from Blacktown:

They agree at William Mason Reserve, Mount Druitt the paving is showing signs of age. I would how long ago they inspected the park and it provided  this result. They are the path has tracks,  not displaced and don't  pose a hazard for pedestrians. That means no onw will fall down and hurt themselves while walking, jogging, running and cycling. That means they are safe!

In fact no - trips have many times happened many times in  many cracked paths They are looking to provide a 'Band-aid', within the next  3 weeks, subject to weather conditions. The reconstruction  of these paths are currently listed in Council's 'Works in Progress' ( Let Off For Now Queue) . Council calls it WIP. The funds for this project is priority and reassessed on an annual basis  for funding consideration. 

This means if not next year the year after , yet if someone  is seriously injured due to the cracks, Council says hazard pose.
If one of their  employees were  injured, that  risk assessment with severely be raised and the project highly prioritised!

I've had Council offers check  a pathway with a heavy duty boot and their assessment is based on this type of footwear. was the assessment made on running shoes. I would like to see a copy of the assessment, this should be made available to the public! What shoes what type of shoes were they wearing?

Click on previous Story on William Mason Reserve Update On Upgrade!

Stage 2 Of Pathway and Cycle Way Improvements Earl Street, Mount Druitt!

This Afternoon!

Today, my eyes were improving with the continuation of the improvements of pathways and cycle ways for Earl Street, Mount Druitt.

This morning!

This one  of the first improvements we alerted the community and all relevant stake holders and someone had listened! Not one word spoken about over the phone! The world wide web, thank
 you! For the community this is a big winner! We need community members to e-mail any issues they would like  to an improvement that they know they have started - I will be the middle man or middle person.

Click Here for previous blog

Mount Druitt Footpath and Cycle Ways Improvements!

I have been  advocating for footpath improvement within Mount Druitt, especially  on  shared cycle ways which Blacktown City Council promotes on their website. My issue is and was why promote them unless they are well maintained. Here is a contractor working on the footpath in Earl Street, Mount Druitt which is currently receiving improvements, this is really good for the community. I have address this issue before, so it appears Council Is listening and wants to see improvements in Mount Druitt. We congratulate Council for listening to the community!

This is how it looked before, overgrown grass and disappearing paths:

The Blacktown City Council  Cycle Path is number 10 (in case you didn't know). Checkout the previous story published on Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Blogspot: Click Here