Advocacy Watch: Cycling Advocacy in Gungahlin
Over the last 3 years the Pedal Power Yerrabi Advocacy team has been working on improving the cycling infrastructure and services in Gungahlin, with a specific focus on the Gungahlin Town Centre, recreational (off-road) cycling opportunities and the Bike Library Canberra.
The bike path network throughout Gungahlin’s suburbs is quite extensive and generally provides very good commuter and recreational cycling in local areas and around the many parks, ponds and creeks. There are also good path connections to the city and Belconnen.
However, the current path network leading into the Gungahlin Town Centre, and the numerous issues with vehicle traffic within the town centre, does not allow riders to safely or conveniently access the town centre. We participated in the Gungahlin Town Centre Active Travel Feasibility Study and published a response to the study that (amongst other things) calls for better separation of travel modes and secure large-scale bike parking. We have continued to engage with staff from TCCS on the development of an implementation strategy informed by the feasibility study, and with developers interested in including active travel elements in their projects.
As keen mountain bikers, we are exploring what opportunities there might be to establish more off-road cycling infrastructure in the Gungahlin region. This includes looking at ways to revitalise the Yerrabi Jumps tracks and identifying possible locations for mountain bike trails in the green spaces that wind through and surround Gungahlin.
Have you heard about the Pedal Power Bike Library Canberra ?
Located at the Margaret Hendy School in Taylor, the library receives and collects bikes donated by Pedal Power members and the general public, which are repaired by Pedal Power volunteer mechanics and then loaned out to anyone that needs a bike. The library currently operates with the support of the Suburban Land Agency’s Mingle program, donations and occasional grants. Being located in Gungahlin means most borrowers are local, but the library serves all of Canberra!
Gregg Berry, Peter Elford
Pedal Power Advocacy - Yerrabi
If you are interested in any of these issues, or in joining the Yerrabi Advocacy team, please contact us at advocacy@pedalpower.org.au.
If you are interested in getting involved with the bike library contact: bikelibrary@pedalpower.org.au.
