Green light for bike path

THE first of two proposed new bike routes will soon be built, after Geelong council approved the project’s design.

Tenders will be called for the western link, which aims to create a safer cycling route from central Geelong through to Herne Hill.

The works will apply a number of treatments to slow car traffic and encourage cyclists to use the link through Villamanta St, Gertrude St and Sydenham Ave.

Speed humps, raised intersections and new line marking will be complemented by new and modified signalised crossings on La Trobe Tce, Pakington St and Shannon Ave.

The project is part of the wider $4.7 million TAC-funded Better Bike Connections initiative, which also proposes to create a route from the city to Waurn Ponds.

The southern link has attracted criticism for directing cyclists down the High St, Belmont, shopping strip

The council is still to decide on details of the southern route, as it polls the public on four different concepts for the contentious stretch of High St.

However it has committed to the western route after widespread support, with more than 80 per cent of respondents backing the project.

“The positive response during consultation on the western link has shown that there is strong community support for bike connections across the city,” Mayor Bruce Harwood said.

The council is likely to con- sider its preferred option for the southern route in October.

Cr Ron Nelson said he was disappointed there had been “scaremongering” about the project’s impact on High St.

Stating that he supported bike lanes, the former Liberal Party Victorian candidate criticised the Coalition’s stance on the project, which he described as a “great initiative”.

“It is disappointing to read online about some traders and politicians who are against the safety of cyclists,” he said.

The Coalition has said it would usher in a full consultation process on a new route if it won power at November’s state election.

“It was clear that this proposed bike lanes for High St are not needed nor welcomed along this street,” leader Matthew Guy said.