Bridge completes bicycle link to city

HOBART’S newest piece of public infrastructure has received the tick of approval from cyclists, but now better links are needed into the city centre, says Bicycle Network Tasmania.

The Hobart City Council’s newest pedestrian bridge finally opened to the public almost a fortnight ago after its completion blew out to be more than six months late.

Construction of the $6.5 million Rose Garden Bridge began in mid-2018, and it was originally slated to open in October last year.

The all-abilities pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Brooker Ave, linking Bathurst St and the Domain, was funded through the City of Hobart’s capital works program.

The opening was delayed several times largely due to replacement of the surface coating to make it non-slip.

Bicycle Network Tasmania’s Alison Hetherington said the group would like to see dedicated bicycle facilities linking the bridge and the city centre.

“The new bridge is a great addition to the network for people who don’t want to ride on the road,” she said.

“Now to get from the intercity cycleway into the city, it’s a nice comfortable link.

“What the council needs to do now is create links on the city side to make it easier to get around the city.”

Ms Hetherington said better signage and visual wayfinding was also needed.

She said the COVID-19 restriction period was as good a time as any to give greater Hobart safer riding and walking areas allowing a 1.5m buffer between users.

Results from a Bicycle

Network Tasmania survey on April 25 found several popular Hobart sites were experiencing a biking boom.

Movements within a twohour period increased from 891 to 1141 at Intercity Cycleway’s Elwick Rd and Tasman Bridge locations, Morrison St, Clarence Foreshore Trail, McKellar St and the Lindisfarne Esplanade shared path.