Plans for a functional cycling network across Wagga developed in 2016 have received a major boost but bike enthusiasts aren’t holding their breath.
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It comes after Wagga City Council’s Active Travel Plan was identified as a priority cycling project by the state government.
Council then received a funding offer of up to $11,752,600 – a welcome figure for the many whom regard Wagga’s current cycling network as substandard.
“Bike paths around town definitely aren’t up to scratch and they could be a lot better,” Bicycle Wagga Wagga president David Ham admitted.
“I would welcome any improvements and safety upgrades to the network.”
Council staff have recommended councillors to accept a grant of $400,000 to develop the Active Travel Plan and a further $11,352,600 to implement it.
Mr Ham believes the funding offer is a positive sign but will cautiously await a verdict from next week’s ordinary council meeting.
“I’d like to think we’re a progressive city with a progressive council and that we could have a bicycle network like Sydney or Melbourne,” he said.
“There’s been talk about this proposal before and it’s exciting but we’ll need more information first.”
Avid Wagga cyclist Ray Loiterton expressed his desire to see network upgrades and will be keeping a close eye on further developments.
“There’s spot where the paths don’t link and we need to get a flowthrough of these paths,” he said.
“We’ve got plenty of cyclists in Wagga and we need to cater for them properly.”
The Active Travel Plan represents one element of Wagga’s Integrated Transport Strategy and Implementation PLan 2040.
In this report, council approximates current bicycle conditions in the Wagga Wagga LGA are only provided within the city and proximate suburbs, with cyclists needing to ride on road to access more rural areas.
A council spokesperson said a variety of community groups including Wagga Wagga Cycling Club, Tolland Cycle Club, MTB Wagga (Mountain Bikes), Wagga Triants, Bicycle Wagga Wagga, CSU Green, Kidsons Cycles, and Wagga Cycle Centre had all participated in Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy consultations.
“The alignment of the proposed cycling routes, along with usability, safety and end of trip facilities, will form the basis of consultation during the community engagement process,” the spokesperson concluded.
