Ballina Shire Bike Plan crosses the finish line
Ballina Shire is on its way to being bicycle friendly!
The Ballina Shire Bike Plan is now complete and puts Ballina Shire Council in gear to improve cycling connections, paths, facilities and safety.
“Ballina Shire is already a top spot to cycle but the implementation of this Bike Plan will help our community be healthier, more active and provide a more liveable neighbourhood,” said Ms Helen Carpenter, Road Safety Officer, Ballina Shire Council and Roads and Maritime Services.
“This Plan has shown who, where, when and why people are cycling in Ballina Shire. But the Plan is more than maps and paths; it’s also about improving safety and encouraging everyone to get on their bikes more often,” said Ms Carpenter.
The Bike Plan has four main areas of focus:
- New shared path connections within and between towns in the shire
- Safety for cyclists
- Cycling support facilities, such as signs, lighting, and bike parking areas
- Promotion of cycling in the community.
The Bike Plan will help integrate cycling as an active transport option into the existing transport network. It will also provide a coordinated approach to delivering bicycle infrastructure and education across the shire.
The Plan was developed from a review of existing shared path networks in Alstonville, Ballina Island, East and West Ballina, Cumbalum, Lennox Head, Skennars Head, Wardell, and Wollongbar, and in consultation with the community through cycling events, surveys and meetings.
The Ballina Shire Council Bike Plan includes a prioritised and costed works program for all identified actions, along with potential funding partners and streams to deliver the projects. This will enable Council to maximise funding opportunities and target investment.
Existing network commitments, including the Coastal Recreational Path and Shared Path, the NSW Coastline Cycleway, and other shared path projects will complement Bike Plan projects to form part of a well-planned bicycle network.
