Bicycle Network: Bike Futures Services

22 July 2011.  Findings of the Greater Shepparton BikeScope included:

Greater Shepparton is predominately a Low Intensity - Recreation area, followed by a High Intensity Recreation area.  Low Intensity - Transport is the next most common type of rider, followed lastly by the High Intensity - Transport rider. 

Around 19% of repsondents ride on average 3 days a week, with another 14.4% of respondents riding 2 days a week.

22.4% of respondents indicated that they ride between 20 and 50 kilometres per week, with a further 22.2% of respondents riding between 5 and 20 kilometres per week.

The majority of respondents indicated that more bicycle friendly roads with more sealed shoulders would help them to ride more often in Greater Shepparton.  See adjacent graph. 

The majority of respondents believed that bike riding in Greater Shepparton has improved over the last 5 years.

Top destinations for riders within the City of Greater Shepparton were Mooroopna, followed by Dookie.

Almost 46% of respondents identified Violet Town as the top external destination, whilst Strathbogie, Rushworth and Bright received over 21% of responses each.

A significantly high proportion of respondents indicated that ‘I would like my children to walk or cycle to the above destinations’ (72%).

When asked which streets and intersection they avoid, respondents raised a high number of issues with the Wyndham Street route. The main issues being: ‘Buisy traffic / safety’, ‘Add / improve bike land’, ‘Widen’ and ‘Parked cars’.

Respondents raised a high number of issues with Ferguson and Verney Road in particular.

The main barrier to riding a bike for short trips (up to 5km) is the absence of on-road lanes (nearly 57%).  This was followed by the barriers of no off-road bike paths to destinations (nearly 42%) and lack of secure bike parking at destinations (nearly 39%).  See adjacent graph. 

Upon evaluating the bike network, 'Conflict with pedestrians' was raised as an issue.

Respondents indicated that Council should focus its resources on 'Cycling for health and recreation', 'Cycling safety' and 'Cycling to school'. 

27 May 2011. Congratuations to Deeanne for winning a $50 gift voucher from Don Ash Bike Hub, Marilyn for winning a repair kit in carry bag from Leigh Egan Cycles and Karen, Ken, Graham and Joanne for winning mini-pumps from Malcolm Hill High Street Cycles.  

6 April 2011. Bicycle Network Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council invite all local residents who ride in and through the municipality,  to complete an on-line BikeScope Survey, between 7 April and 5 May 2011. Go in to the draw to have the chance to win some great prizes. The Greater Shepparton City Council will use the survey date to inform their planning and building of new, better bike infrastructure.

The prizes for completing the survey have been donated by:
• Don Ash Bike Hub.
• Leigh Egan Cycles.
• Malcolm Hill High Street Cycles.