Two wheels good: new funding for bike paths and safer trails
The South Australian Government is improving South Australian cycling connections through a new State Bicycle Fund, with the River Torrens to Darlington T2D Project also helping to fill in missing links in Adelaide’s bike path network.
With an emphasis on providing better cycling infrastructure and encouraging more active lifestyles, the State Bicycle Fund is investing $2 million that will enable local councils to create new bike paths and improve existing ones.
Funding is being put towards projects that will install new shared-use paths, safer road crossings, wayfinding signage, and other road safety improvements.
A total of 27 projects across 20 councils will receive funding, including nine regional councils – with 38 per cent of the total fund going to projects in regional areas.
About 10 per cent of the funding has been allocated to design-only projects to enable councils to develop projects to get them ‘shovel-ready’ and eligible for future rounds of funding.
Some of the State Bicycle Fund council projects include:
$200,000 for the Copper Coast Council towards the construction of 760 metres of shared use path on Coast Road between Moonta Bay and Port Hughes
$35,000 for the Alexandrina Council to design and install new wayfinding signage along the Encounter Bikeway
$20,000 for the City of Port Adelaide Enfield to design improved cyclist crossing facilities.
The State Government is also partnering with City of Mitcham to improve active travel links through local streets between St Marys and Clarence Gardens as part of the planned Flinders to City Bikeway.
Improvements will include upgraded crossings, shared-use paths, cycling lanes and wayfinding along a 4km stretch from Brookman Avenue in St Marys to Cross Road at Clarence Gardens.
Similar improvements are planned through local streets in all five council areas along the 10.5km T2D Project alignment.
These upgrades are intended to make an easier and safer active travel option for people travelling parallel to South Road during and after construction of the T2D Project, which will set the framework for a legacy of encouraging more people to take up walking and cycling.
The South Australian Government and the City of Mitcham have jointly funded the $1.5 million upgrades on a 50:50 basis.
Work on the Flinders to City Bikeway has commenced and is anticipated to be completed by mid-late 2024.
Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis
The State Government is committed to providing better cycling facilities and the State Bicycle Fund, in conjunction with projects connected to T2D, will see significant improvements to existing bike paths across the state.
The State Bicycle Fund is all about supporting local councils to develop and build safter and better bike paths and crossings.
The partnership with the City of Mitcham to help progress the Flinders to City Bikeway will leave a long-lasting and positive legacy for neighbourhoods along the T2D Project’s alignment. This will make it easier and safer to travel north to south while the T2D Project is being constructed - and beyond.
Cycling and active travel provide so many benefits for individuals and communities, and these projects will help encourage people out from behind the wheel and onto their bikes.
Quotes attributable to State Member for Elder Nadia Clancy
I’m really excited to see further investment in improving active transport through our community.
It’s so important to support safe cycling options and this partnership will achieve just that.
Quotes attributable to City of Mitcham Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross
The City of Mitcham is very pleased to have partnered with the State Government to complete the Flinders to City Bikeway link through the council area.
The route will provide a safer route for cyclists both during and post construction of the T2D Project.
Providing alternative active travel options for our community is a big part of our commitment to accessibility, wellbeing and reducing climate impacts.
Works to complete this link through City of Mitcham are now being progressed, with a Dorene Street section in St Marys recently implemented, and remaining sections currently being designed.
Media Contact
Tom Richardson 0416 144 977
tom.richardson@sa.gov.au
