Cycling Gets A Boost In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle City Council is hoping to capitalise on the city's newfound love of cycling since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March by fast tracking work on a new cycleway.

Council is allocating $3.1 million from its COVID-19 stimulus budget to build a 1.1km shared path between Merewether Beach and Glebe Road at The Junction.

Plans include a 2.5m wide bi-directional path along Watkins Street and Coane Street, between Watkins and John Parade, with new and upgraded crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes hopes the project will encourage more residents to make the switch to pedal power.

“By prioritising our investment in Newcastle’s cycleway infrastructure we hope to help encourage this surge of interest to continue beyond the current climate, enabling cycling to play an even larger role within Newcastle’s transport mix now and in the future,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

“The cycleway will create an important connection with one of the city’s favourite coastal destinations and encourage more people to make the switch to pedal power.

“We are committed to promoting cycling as a genuine transport option for residents, families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is one of the City’s priority projects.

“Improving and expanding Newcastle’s cycling network is an important investment in the future of our city, in line with the adopted Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Action Plan.”

The project is part of almost $5 million allocated to cycleway projects under Council's revised 2020-21 capital works budget, including funding for the missing cycleway link on University Drive between  Blue Gum Road and the inner-city bypass at Birmingham Gardens.

Councilor and cycling enthusiast, John Mackenzie has welcomed the funding.

"I am pleased to see these cycleways projects being prioritised within the revised budget and look forward to seeing them progress during the next 12 months and beyond," he said.

Concept designs for the Merewether Beach to The Junction cycleway will go on public exhibition from Monday 29 June until Monday 27 via the City of Newcastle website.

Newcastle Councillor John Mackenzie and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

City of Newcastle Invites Locals to Have Their Say on Cycling Strategy

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The City of Newcastle is encouraging Hunter residents to hop online and have their say on the future of the city's cycling strategy.

The digital survey allows cyclists, pedestrians, and road users to give feedback on an update of the 2012 Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Action Plan.

Lord Nuatali Nelmes says the council hopes community feedback will help them address some of the bigger barriers to bike-riding, such as safety and accessibility.

“We want to hear from cyclists to find out what’s great about riding around Newcastle, what could be improved and how more locals might be encouraged to get out and enjoy the city under pedal power," said Cr Nelmes.

"We also want to hear from people who don’t ride, about what we could do to encourage them to start riding."

In addition to new routes planned for Hunter Street, Newcastle West, and from Merewether to the Junction, the city has encouraged public participation by promoting road etiquette and running bicycle skills workshops.

"We’re lucky to have a relatively flat city conducive to cycling,"said Cr Nelmes. "So we look forward to hearing from the community and updating our overarching strategy.”

The survey will remain open until the 14th of May before the updated strategy goes on public exhibition.

Have your say by completing the survey here.

Image credit: City of Newcastle