DANNY Freemantle used to cycle to work every day in Brisbane, but has put the brakes on his beloved hobby since he moved to Wagga.
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“You are safe on some roads but I would feel nervous on others,” he said.
“On Edward Street you’ve got four lanes of busy traffic and parked cars on the side.
“You can get really jammed and I find motorists aren't really very well aware of cyclists.”
The yoga instructor and owner of Divine Wellbeing studio said a Wagga to Ladysmith rail trail would provide the safe stress-free bike path the region was crying out for.
“I would prefer to ride on a designated cycleway on the road, and I find that Wagga roads some have cycleways but they are not connected,” Mr Freemantle said.
“If there was a rail trail, I would love to go and ride there, where you don’t have to worry at all about traffic.”
When it comes time for some family fun, the Jenkins clan will usually hope on a bike and go for a ride around Wagga.
But mother of four Stacey Jenkins said cycling on the city’s roads is a difficult option for recreational riders, despite attempts to take her older children out on bikes.
If there was a rail trail, I would love to go and ride there, where you don’t have to worry at all about traffic.
- Cyclist Danny Freemantle
“We’ve tried going along Kooringal Road and followed the bike paths but there is a park where you have to actually be on the road because the bike path ends,” she said.
“My daughter was freaking out – she’s the eldest one – and she said ‘oh my god you are trying to kill us taking us on the road Mum’.”
Mrs Jenkins said parents with children would benefit from a safe riding space in Wagga.
“Firstly because it is a safe environment and secondly for the opportunity to get out there in a fun way,” she said.
Community group Wagga Rail Trail has called for a track to be built on the 21-kilometre disused train corridor between Ladysmith and Wagga.
More than 600 supporters of the proposal say it would provide an important role in providing health, tourism and economic benefits, as well as linking further between the Riverina’s communities.