25 Mar 22 | By pp-admin | Advocacy, Cycle safety, Infrastructure, Pedal Power
Congratulations to Transport Minister Chris Steel who this week delivered an active travel statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly, outlining the ACT Government’s active travel priorities for the year.
The Minister noted that active travel is more important than ever. “We have a growing population with more people trying to get to and from the City and town centres and active travel is one of the most efficient ways to move large numbers of people around,” he said.
“We recognise that, in the midst of change, this moment presents an opportunity to support new transport habits that will last into the future.”
The Minister announced or reaffirmed a number of initiatives and projects (as well as providing an outline on timeframes), designed to encouraging active travel. These included:
A new ACT Active Travel Plan. “Through the plan, the government will set a new policy direction for active travel”. Community consultations will commence mid-year.
Review of design guidance for active travel infrastructure. A new design guide will “go beyond Australian standards”. This will provide priority for people walking and cycling, and will consider quick-build protected cycling lanes and converting existing road lanes to protected cycle lanes.
Extending the Belconnen Bikeway from the University of Canberra to the AIS and into the city. Construction is set to commence by mid-year.
Path improvements around Lake Ginninderra. A feasibility study has been completed, a government will consult with community later this year about priority improvements.
Sulwood Drive shared path. Construction will start later this year.
New bridge over Weston Creek. Work is progressing to connecting the Molonglo River path to the C5 principal route.
West Belconnen: a new seven kilometre off-road shared path from Drake Brockman Drive to Bindubi Street will be constructed.
Cycling connections to the Gungahlin Town Centre. A route planning study is underway.
Watson to Braddon cycle route. Route planning study underway.
London Circuit. Protected bike lanes will be delivered when London Circuit is raised as part of the light rail extension.
Cyclist highway on Adelaide Avenue. As part of work progressing light rail to Woden, government has included the feasibility of an off-road shared path on Adelaide Avenue, to inform the design of a ‘cyclist highway’ to the city and Parliamentary triangle.
Secure bike parking in Woden. Construction is underway on the Woden transport interchange, which will prioritise safe access for cycling through the town centre, and include secure bike parking in three locations, including two secure bike cages.
Path maintenance. A condition of the entire path network has been completed, and an additional $4 million will be used to undertake work identified through the assessment.
Share the road community education campaign. “To ensure that Canberrans are aware of their obligations to be safe and protect all road users, the ACT Government will be rolling out a significant community education and awareness campaign this year. The ‘share the road’ campaign will be highly visible in public spaces, including on buses, at petrol stations and in shopping centres”.
Expand the ‘Make the Move’ program. This joint Conservation Council and Canberra Environment Centre program helps workplaces support their employees to take up active travel.
Multimodal Network Plan. This will be an integrated transport plan, helping to identify which transport mode needs to be prioritised at any point in the transport network.
Movement and Place Tool. To ensure new transport projects deliver benefits for all modes of transport.
End of trip facilities. The ‘End of trip facilities general code’ will be finalised this year. The code supports provision of secure bike parking, showers, change rooms, lockers, charging facilities and drying areas in developments.
(Note: File photo used)