Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

3 March 2009

From the Premier's State of the State address:

Our ten year vision for commuter/passenger transport is to provide a mixture of road, rail, cycleways and walkways - options that keep Tasmanians moving while lowering our emissions.

Last year, we held a fuel summit in Launceston, and it produced many key ideas that we are now investing in for the future.

A key focus was on an improvement to cycleway infrastructure to give people a greater option to use their bike for transport rather than only for recreation.

We committed $4 million in the 2008/09 budget to match dollar for dollar investments that local councils make at a regional level in cycleways. Those projects are now well underway.

Five projects, with a combined value of over $800,000, are underway as part of the Hobart Arterial Bike Network – with the State Government matching council funding. These projects include on road cycleways in Argyle and Campbell Streets, the Cadbury link cycleway in Claremont, the Clarence Foreshore Trail at Bellerive Bluff, the Foreshore Trail at Jetty Road in the Brighton municipality, and planning for a Bonnet Hill Cycleway.

Earlier this year, I announced over $500,000 for work to make the Tasman Bridge more cycle friendly for people cycling to work in Hobart. I know that work is underway on regional cycle initiatives in Launceston and on the north-west coast, and the State Government will provide dollar for dollar funding for those initiatives when they are ready to go.

17 December 2008
We encourage you to write a thank you note to the Premier. The $4m commitment he made on becoming Premier is starting to be allocated.

All the projects are sound and will generate good rider numbers.

In brief the money will connect the InterCity Cycleway to the parkland around the Cadbury factory making a good riding destination. The idea on the Clarence foreshore is to cut back on some road space to make room for the path. The Argyle Street lanes will be extended south towards the CBD. Brighton is going for more length by doing their path in gravel. The Bonnet Hill project will push the road riding route south from Taroona through to Kingston providing a climbing lane on the narrow Channel Highway.

Future projects we will be looking for include Sandy Bay Road lanes, work on the Clarence foreshore path and pushing the cycleway north to Austin's Ferry.

The Mercury article is here.

The Premier's media release was as follows:
Premier David Bartlett today announced four new cycling projects for the Greater Hobart region, plus a feasibility study for another.
Speaking at the ‘Cadbury Link’ cycleway project in Claremont, Premier Bartlett said the projects are the start of a rollout of cycling and trails infrastructure as part of the $4 million State Government Budget initiative announced earlier this year.
 “The State Government is providing $415,000 to co-fund these five cycleway projects which will form part of the Hobart Arterial Bike Network,” Mr Bartlett said.
“I made a commitment earlier in the year to co-fund with Tasmania’s Councils, cycling and trails infrastructure projects and I am fulfilling that commitment.”
 Construction has begun at the ‘Cadbury Link’ cycleway in Claremont, and work will begin early in the New Year on cycleways along the Bridgewater Foreshore, Victoria Esplanade in Bellerive and on-road cycleways along Campbell Street and Argyle Street in Hobart’s CBD.
“A feasibility study will also take place for a proposed cycleway at Bonnet Hill in Kingborough.
“These projects are outstanding examples of the type of trails and cycleway infrastructure that the government is looking to implement all across Tasmania,” Mr Bartlett said.
Sport and Recreation Tasmania has had discussions with Councils and other key stakeholders regarding projects of a similar nature in the North and North West of the state.
“We are aware of a number of similar excellent projects in those regions that we look forward to funding in the coming months.”
“Cycling has a big role to play in my government’s plans for alternative transport and infrastructure for Tasmania.
“We need to continue to roll out infrastructure that enables people to have alternative transport options so we can combat fuel costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get people fitter and healthier.
“The health benefits from improving Tasmania’s cycling infrastructure are considerable. According to the World Health Organisation, a 30 minute cycle trip per day halves the chance of becoming obese or diabetic.
“Visitors to our state will also benefit from improved alternative transport infrastructure.”
Summary of Cycleway Projects
Project 1
Cadbury Link, Glenorchy City Council.State Government is contributing $100,000.
The Cadbury Link will be an extension of the existing Intercity Cycleway, which extends for 15.6 km between Hobart's waterfront at Sullivans Cove to Box Hill Road in Claremont. The extension will improve access to Claremont Primary School, Claremont recreational and sporting facilities adjacent to Cadbury and provide employees at Cadbury opportunities to cycle to and from work. Additionally the cycleway will also provide an alternative tourism route to the Cadbury factory.
Project 2
Bellerive Bluff Coastal Link, Clarence City Council.State Government is contributing $100,000.
The new cycleway is proposed to run along Victoria Esplanade, from Gunning Street to Queen Street in Bellerive. The path will link the historic village of Bellerive with its ferry terminal providing access to Hobart and with the recreational facilities of Bellerive Oval and beach and the suburbs beyond.
The path will also provide a key missing link in the ‘Clarence Foreshore Trail’, which is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Clarence.
The Bellerive Bluff Coastal Link is also consistent with the Council’s strategic objectives of developing and providing access to the proposed redevelopment of Kangaroo Bay, Bellerive Village and Rosny shopping precinct.
The project is also consistent with the Council’s broader vision for a continuous multi-use path from Geilston Bay to Tranmere.
Project 3
Argyle Street / Campbell Street On-Road Bicycle Lane, Hobart City CouncilState Government is contributing $160,000.
The on-road bicycle lane starts from Federal Street and heads towards the city until it reaches Burnett Street; here the cycleway splits, one route continues along Argyle Street, the other follows along Burnett Street and then turns into Campbell Street. Both cycle way routes go as far as Brisbane Street.
The cycle path will improve bicycle access to and within the Hobart CBD without introducing significant disruption to existing users.
Project 4
Bridgewater Foreshore Link, Brighton CouncilState Government is contributing $50,000.
Brighton Council will be constructing a multi-use gravel track along a significant amount of the municipality’s foreshore starting from Gunn Street, heading South East along the coast, around Green Point and up as far as the Jordan River Bridge.
This project will significantly benefit the community by providing infrastructure for recreational purposes along the Derwent Estuary foreshore. It will offer better connectivity between and through the Brighton communities and encourage a more active lifestyle within the area.
Project 5
Bonnet Hill Cycle Planning, Kingborough CouncilThe State Government is contributing $20,000 - made up of $5,000 from the Cycling and Trails Infrastructure Fund, $5,000 from the Sport and Recreation Tasmania Minor Grants Program and $10,000 from the Dept. of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources to fund a feasibility study for a proposed cycleway.

New Tasmanian initiative

17 June 08. In a dramatic boost for bike riding in Tasmania, the Bartlett government has allocated $4M for trails and paths.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, said trails would provide alternative recreational and transport opportunities and increase the connection between the State’s communities.

She said walking, bike and recreational trail networks in urban and urban fringe areas would be the focus.

“New, better managed and upgraded trails across the State will attract more visitors, increase economic activity and bring health and environmental benefits to our local communities,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“As well as providing new recreation opportunities for Tasmanians, the development of these trails will also encourage people to use modes of transport other than their car.”

Ms O’Byrne said this has obvious implications for the reduction of greenhouse gases and for helping the state government meet its greenhouse gas emission targets.

“We will work with local government to develop and improve the bikeways of our cities,” she said. “Excellent steps have already been undertaken by local government and we want to build on this.”

May 2008

The plan aims to:

• Identify roads that are part of the arterial bicycle network to ensure future state and local
  road projects incorporate bicycle-friendly design in future works.
• Record existing and proposed arterial cycle routes on a regional map.
• Provide strategic direction in the development of an integrated cycling network and enable funding and grants to be directed towards cycling projects.
• Identify locations where end-of-trip facilities are required to enhance the cycling network

Read the plan

The funding can, in our opinion, come from:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• Participating local governments

We believe the State should commit to fund bicycle facilities as part of major road projects and upgrades - a common practice in other states.

State and local government should review road maintenance schedules, traffic calming plans and the like to ensure that opportunities are taken to provide dedicated bicycle facilities - especially separation from traffic where possible.

Please support the plan by writing to the Hobart City Council. Your letter will help them proceed with the plan.

The plan has been developed through a working group made up of representatives from Hobart,
Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Brighton Councils as well as a representative from the
Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. A funding grant was provided by the
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to assist with the development of
the plan. CyclingSouth prepared the document with reference to the municipal bicycle plans of
each Council and in consultation with the working group.