Work is set to begin on the final stage of the North-South Bikeway on Frome Street, continuing the bikeway that runs through the heart of the city.
Works are commencing today between Albert Bridge to Victoria Drive and the North Terrace to Rundle Street section will start next week. These works form the final section of the North-South Bikeway and will result in a continuous north-south cycling route through the city for people of all ages and abilities to use.
The completed route will connect Unley in the south through the city to Prospect in the north, allowing people to ride comfortably between their homes, the East End, Adelaide Botanic High School, the university precinct, Lot Fourteen, the Adelaide Zoo and North Adelaide.
Annual cycle counts show that the North-South bikeway is one of the busiest cycle routes in Adelaide. The number of cycling trips on Frome Street has increased significantly in 2024: up 130 per cent from 2022 levels, with a weekday daily average of 700 people using the bikeway.
City of Adelaide staff have been working closely with stakeholders to help prepare for the works which are expected to be completed in October.
The project will deliver:
- Approximately 1km of separated bikeway and 550 metres of updated footpaths
- Additional trees, street furniture and low-level garden beds
- New footpath lighting between Albert Bridge and Victoria Drive
- New road lighting between Albert Bridge and Victoria Drive
- Renewed road surfaces between Albert Bridge and Victoria Drive and North Terrace and Rundle Street
- Upgraded stormwater between Rundle Street and North Terrace
The latest work is part of a $12 million joint project between the City of Adelaide and South Australian Government to deliver more bikeways and cycling infrastructure throughout the city and Park Lands.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said Council was committed to delivering high-quality cycling routes. "We know that bikeways encourage more people to travel by bike and that's great news for our city," said the Lord Mayor.
"Safer cycling infrastructure will help us to meet our residential and economic growth targets and, in addition, the environmental and health impacts of cycling are obvious.
"We also know that building bikeways in the city is not always easy and can be challenging, so I thank the State Government for its ongoing support and thank Council for its perseverance."
Member for Adelaide Lucy Hood said that people are increasingly looking to cycling as a mode of transport if it is faster, more convenient and safer.
"The South Australian Government continues to invest in improving safety for people who ride bikes for economic, environmental and social benefits," said Ms Hood.
"A lack of safe infrastructure is one of the main barriers to people using active travel. Bikeways make cycling safer for riders of all abilities and encourages more people to hop on their bikes and choose this sustainable, cost-effective, healthy mode of transport.
"Completing the North-South Bikeway will provide a protected and convenient way to cycle across the city, and I thank the City of Adelaide for their work to deliver this important piece of infrastructure."
Cyclist Jessie MacGillivray said safer cycling infrastructure was important to her and her family.
"We love riding with the kids into town on our e-cargo bike to visit cafes and shops," said Jessie.
"We feel safest on the Frome Road bikeway because it's physically protected from cars. Using the bike way makes it much easier to access Rundle Street from the south - it will be great to more safely get the kids to Botanic Gardens and the zoo when it's extended."
Aisen Liong from Kafin Coffee + Lounge said being located on the corner of Rundle and Frome, they had seen the positive impact of the bikeway on Frome Street which currently ends at Rundle Street.
"We're excited that the high-quality bikeway will now continue north to deliver all the benefits the southern section of Frome Street enjoys," said Mr Liong.
