A new wider path between the Intercity Cycleway and MONA and undercover bike parking and e-charging could help more people choose to ride to the iconic Hobart museum and art gallery.
Glenorchy City Council began constructing the 2.5 metre wide path from the Berriedale Road exit from the Intercity Cycleway to the MONA entrance on Main Road in April this year, which it recently finished.
It plans to build another wider path from the Alcorso Drive pedestrian refuge to the MONA entrance this summer, thanks to a state government Vulnerable Road Users Grant.
Providing an obvious path connection and signage should help tourists and locals to get off the cycleway at the right locations to visit MONA safely.
And once they get on site there is now undercover bike parking, a bike tool station and e-bike charging points thanks to the efforts of staff members and Bicycle Network.
New bike parking
MONA Technician Freya van de Vusse contacted Bicycle Network last year when she could see there was a need to provide better bike parking for staff and visitors.
She met with our Volunteer Social Rides Coordinator, Di Elliffe, who has organised rides and self-guided rides which have MONA as a destination or coffee stop so had firm ideas for how the museum could welcome riders. Di followed up their meeting with written advice about bike parking, e-bike charging, fleet bikes, signage and routes to the museum.
Freya went back to work and talked to a variety of people who agreed that MONA could improve its bike parking offering for staff and visitors.
The result is good news for everyone with an undercover, lit area just to the left of the main driveway and it includes four power points for people to charge their e-bikes. The multi-tool repair station also includes a pump and props for bikes so they are easier to repair.
The only drawback to the facilities is the type of bike parking provided which encourages people to only lock the wheel, however, it’s easy enough to lean your bike against the upright and lock the frame as well.
Freya said that she and other staff are keen to support their colleagues to ride to work and have some ideas for later in the year when the weather fines up. She believes quite a few staff live in Hobart and the northern suburbs so riding is an easy way to get to work with the Intercity Cycleway on the museum’s doorstep.
