Riders want separate bike lanes

SEPARATED bike lanes will be built through Belmont’s main shopping strip if Geelong council adopt the community’s preferred option for a cycling path on High St.

Almost 1020 of about 2600 people who shared their views on the proposed bike lanes between Mt Pleasant Rd and Roslyn Rd supported constructing them separate to the roadway.

Of this group, 23 per cent called for one-way bike paths to be built on either side of the road.

More than 900 people supported bikes and cars sharing the road after line-marking and signs were painted on to the road.

The council survey, which was put to the public in July, shows 627 people or 24 per cent of survey respondents support removing on-street parking to build one-way bike lanes on either side of the road.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said at peak times 30 per cent of parking on and around High St was vacant.

“A decision ( on the preferred option) will be made by council in the new year and there is still some final consultation going on,” Mr Harwood said.

“Our community engagement highlighted that this is more than a cycling project; it’s also an opportunity to improve the amenity of High St and boost its appeal as a destination for shopping, dining and services.”

High St traders have voiced their concerns that the loss of on-street parking would be the death knell for their business- es. Council says more than 50 of the 83 on-street parking spaces on High St will be retained if separated bike lanes are built.

The TAC is providing council with $4.7 million to create two new cycling connections into the CBD from the south (Waurn Ponds) and west (Herne Hill).

Council is expected to decide on a preferred design for the south route early next year after reviewing the results of its community engagement. Construction could begin by the end of the financial year.