Former Wagga councillor Alan Brown has thrown his support behind a plan for a bike track around Wagga.
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Mr Brown has called for the proposed rail trail funding to instead be used for a bike track to ease congestion and increase tourism.
The push comes after council unveiled plans for $10.5 million worth of bike paths throughout Wagga at a meeting in October last year.
Mr Brown said he wanted the whole community to get behind the plan, proposing starting with a track by the Murrumbidgee River.
“I don’t support the rail trail and the location selected is very poor,” Mr Brown said.
“The proposed location is basically sitting in a swamp.
“I would like to see everyone pushing for a bike track instead – for the benefit of everyone.”
Five “preferred routes” totalling 45 kilometres were identified following the October meeting, branching out in different directions from the city to Forest Hill, Kapooka Army Base, Bourkelands, Charles Sturt University and Lake Albert.
Mr Brown said a bike track would benefit a wider scope of residents.
“This would be for the whole city, rather than just those involved in agricultural areas,” Mr Brown said.
“The river side is under utilised – yet it is our cities greatest asset.”
Mr Brown said it was important to reduce Wagga’s dependency on cars.
“The key issue here is their is very little scope for people to ride to work with streets over populated by cars,” Mr Brown said.
“With the right funding we can create a bike friendly atmosphere.
“Surely we can make better use of our roads and our beautiful river.”
Mr Brown also pointed out the potential tourism benefits.
“We need to open up more opportunities for recreational cycling,” Mr Brown said.
“The rail trail is a poor use of funds with too much money for too little gain.
“A bike track could see tourists wanting to cycle the river.
“It could go right down for five or 10 kilometres to North Wagga with tourists stopping by at the shops.”
Mr Brown said the energy used for the rail trail debate should be put to better use.
“The possibilities are endless – we just need the spark of the community to get behind it,” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown also emphasised the health benefits behind cycling to work.
“The more people exercise the healthier they will be – the benefits are obvious,” Mr Brown said.
“Separating cars and bikes could also decrease accidents and danger.”
The possibilities are endless – we just need the spark of the community to get behind it
- Alan Brown
