We're seeking community feedback to help plan a future safe cycling connection between central and north Torquay, which is suitable for bike riders of all abilities.
"With Torquay's growing population, we want to make it safer and easier for people of all ages to ride to school, shops, services, parks, sports facilities, houses and other places," Mayor Cr Liz Pattison said.
"Safe cycling infrastructure is important to help reduce traffic congestion, encourages healthy, active lifestyles and is better for our environment," she said.
"My family and I all love to jump on our bikes; it's a great way to get around. Council is keen to hear people's experiences so that we can plan for a safer cycling connection."
"We want to know what people think about different cycling routes and existing cycling infrastructure between central and north Torquay, as well as how we can make this better."
Safety is Council's top priority as there have been five injury crashes along Fischer Street over the last five years involving bike riders, including school children.
Council is currently investigating two different route options for providing a safer cycling connection:
· Along Fischer Street
· Via parkland and nearby low traffic local streets: Taylor Park, Felix Crescent, Riverside Drive, Deep Creek trail and Bright Street.
Have your say via the survey at: surfcoast.vic.gov.au/SafeCyclingTorquay by 21 July 2023.
Council is also seeking expressions of interest for people to join a stakeholder panel, who will help Council workshop different options. The stakeholder panel will include residents, schools, traders, bike riders and government agencies who will take part in a workshop from 9.30am-11.30am on Wednesday 26 July.
Apply to join the stakeholder panel at the above webpage by 14 July.
The feedback from the survey and the stakeholder panel will be considered alongside engineering advice. There will be another opportunity for community feedback in the coming months, before plans for a long term safe cycling connection are finalised and a funding strategy developed.
This project is a key action in the Safer Cycling Strategy and Action Plan and is part of Council's climate emergency response. The analysis of safe cycling options has been funded by the Transport Accident Commission.
