Plans Underway for New Bike Track Between Adamstown and Newcastle West

BY OLIVIA DILLON

City of Newcastle has received funding from the state government to develop a new bike track between Adamstown Station and Newcastle West.

The $110,000 injection will be used to develop a detailed design for the proposed shared track, which will connect the inner-city bypass near William Street to the existing route between Mordue Parade and Wilkinson Avenue. 

The project is one of five city pathways funded by the government's $110 million NSW Get Active program. 

Newcastle Cycleways Movement President Sam Reich, said the cycling community are looking forward to having their say on the project. 

"The funding that's been received from the state government is going to go towards design; investigating the best route and the best treatment on the street," Mr Reich said.  

"The main thing we're always interested in is cycling for utility, cycling for transport; not just recreational riding, but to get people from A to B, from home to the shops, to their schools, or to their workplace." 

The project is part of council's 10-year plan to connect key routes across the city and provide a safe cycling network by 2030. 

A council spokesperson told Newcastle Herald, the public will be consulted during the design process, and Mr Reich said safety should be of utmost concern.  

"We do already have a designated route that takes us into town, but it's on road so it's daunting for less experienced cyclists and for younger cyclists and their families. We're hopeful that all the improvements that are underway in the cycling network, will allow and encourage more people to ride, leaving the cars at home and making it safer for everyone involved." 

He also said local cyclists were looking forward to seeing the wheels in motion. 

"All the improvements we can make to the city cycling network are going to benefit the entire community." 

Plans are underway for a new bike track between Adamstown Station and Newcastle West. 

Speers Point to Glendale shared pathway on track for commuters

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Works on the Speers Point to Glendale shared pathway have wrapped up.

The track runs parallel with Cockle Creek, past Waratah Golf Club, and links at Glendale with the existing Tramway Track to Wallsend.

The completion of the leg means cyclists and commuters have a continuous, mostly off-road 18 kilometre route to the University of Newcastle and beyond.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says it's great for commuting, exercise, or just sightseeing.

"It's known throughout New South Wales and Australia about our Fernleigh Shared Track, about our Richmond Vale Trail, the beautiful shared paths around our city and the other local government areas," Cr Fraser said.

"Adding this to that will mean that people will be able to actually use it as a tourist destination, but also, a means of getting to work as well."

Image credit: www.lakemac.com.au

Richmond Vale Rail Trail another step closer to being realised

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's share of the long-awaited Richmond Vale Rail Trail has been given the green light by planning authorities.

The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel approved the development application for the 13 kilometres of the shared track located in the Newcastle Local Government Area.

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail supporters group are welcoming the approval, although sections from Hexham Junction to Tarro and a link with the Shortland Wetlands haven't yet made the cut.

Vice-president Terry Lewin says it's exciting to see things fall into place.

"The original community consultations were about five years ago, so it's taken that long to get to this particular point," Mr Lewin said.

"Essentially it's going to be a mix of different approvals as a result mainly of the mixture of terrain that the trail goes through."

"Into the future, you'll be able to start down on the lake, on the Fernleigh Track, ride all the way through Newcastle through the Richmond Vale Rail Trail, all the way up to Kurri and then actually connect to other shared pathways."

The completed track would save cyclists from risking travel on the Pacific Motorway, Hunter Expressway, and New England Highway. 

Mr Lewin says there's potential for tourism too.

"The absolutely massive thing about this trail, unlike any other trails in Australia, is that it goes through areas that are relatively inaccessible otherwise," Mr Lewin said.

"By being able to connect to the Hunter Wetlands national park, Stockrington state conservation areas, through a whole lot of tunnels in the Sugarloaf range, you'll actually be able to access areas that you wouldn't have been able to access any other way." 

Hunter Street Turns Single Lane For Bike Lane Trial

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter Street will rely on just one lane in each direction to make way for a trial of brand new bike lanes in the city's west.

Single direction bike lanes are currently being installed on both sides of the road between National Park Street and Worth Place.

A number of on-street parks and bus stops are also set to be moved, and the speed limit reduced to 40 kilometres an hour as part of the project.

No parking spaces will be lost, despite major changes to the road.

Newcastle Cycleways President Sam Reich says he hopes "world standard" bike lane options will go a long way to encouraging more people to get out of their cars and into the saddle.

"The main barriers to more people riding their bikes is not the weather, it's not the terrain, it's not people's fitness," Mr Reich said.

"The factor preventing it is this perception of lack of safety on bicycles, when bicycles mix with traffic."

It's hoped, if the trial is successful, the cycleway could be extended to Islington Park and all the way to Mayfield.

The works are expected to be wrapped up by September.

Image credit: https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/

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