Major barriers to walking and cycling across the trail network in Ballarat are being removed as key missing links are constructed and next stages planned for delivery over future years.
The Ballarat Cycle Action Plan 2017 - 2025 is encouraging people to jump on a bike and start to enjoy the trail network.
The plan prioritises delivery of safe and continuous routes, which will have the greatest impact on increasing the number of everyday cyclists and give confidence to those who are interested in riding but not confident to share the road with cars, particularly children, families and those not currently riding.
The next stage of the trail network through central Ballarat is currently under construction, with the new 200m off-road cycling link between the Canadian Creek Trail and the Sturt Street shared path, via Grenville Street South currently under construction.
This extension follows the completion of the 500 metre missing link along Steinfeld Street late last year, which is being well utilised by the community.
The next stages of the rollout will complete the link past the Bridge Mall (as part of the Bakery Hill redevelopment project) and design work is underway on the section along Grenville Street North to Ballarat Station and onwards to the Yarrowee River Trail (north).
These projects will see a completely safe, separated and seamless trail network through the Ballarat CBD - linking the Yarrowee River Trail north and south of the commercial area.
A new 3 kilometre off-road shared use path is programmed to commence construction later this year linking Wendouree Station to Waringa Drive via Learmonth Road. This new section will provide quality cycling facilities for residents of Wendouree and provide a major missing link towards Miners Rest.
In total, more than 7 kilometres of new separated cycling and trail connection have been delivered, tendered or funded over the last 3 years with more to follow.
Once routes are completed, a new suite of wayfinding signage will be installed to improve the legibility of the cycling network that is rapidly expanding across the city.
City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Belinda Coates said cycling as a mode of transport is becoming increasingly popular.
"While a number of people already choose to ride a bike, either to commute to work, for sport or for pleasure, there is significant room for improvement," she said.
"We are making Ballarat a more attractive and enjoyable place for people to ride their bike.
"Cars contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, by increasing the number of people who ride their bikes will directly contribute to Ballarat's response to the climate change challenge."
As a regional city, Ballarat continues to invest in the cycling network to provide residents with a high level of active transport connectivity.
