The draft Principal Bicycle Network is now available for comment.
The Hobart 2025 Vision recently developed through an extensive consultative process has highlighted the desire of Hobart residents to see improved opportunities for alternative transport options, such as cycling.
The bicycle, as a vehicle in urban areas is unparalleled. It is a flexible, convenient, low energy, low cost form of transport. Bicycles are available to virtually all age groups and with modern technology can be equipped with a small motor to assist with hills. Bicycles are especially suited to trips of less than 5km; a rider of average fitness readily achieves longer trips of up to 20km. In Hobart, virtually all our residential areas lie within a 5km radius of the Central Business District.
Whilst cyclists are recognised as legitimate road users under Australian road rules and have a right to use virtually the entire road system, the development of cycling paths both on and off road assists in creating a safer cycling environment for riders.
In an ideal world cyclists would have separate facilities linking our residences, community facilities and workplaces, but our development of suburbs based on car transport has produced a situation whereby few towns are equipped with such networks.
The challenge for communities in an age where traffic congestion, rising fuel prices and warnings of impending fuel supply constraints, along with calls to limit our emissions of CO2, is to provide additional sustainable transport options to address the identified issues.
The provision of improved facilities for cycling in Hobart is an objective of the Hobart City Council Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Draft Principal Bicycle Network is a representation of the arterial routes that could be developed to improve the cycling amenity of Hobart for its residents and visitors.
The Aim of the Principal Bicycle Network is in line with the Hobart 2025 Vision to create a city that is:
“Highly accessible through efficient transport options.”
The Draft Principal Bicycle Network has been identified by the Hobart City Council Bicycle Advisory Committee to assist Council in providing improved cycling facilities for Hobart residents and visitors.
The intention of the Draft Principal Bicycle Network is to identify the arterial corridors, or the initial ‘spine” routes for cyclists that cater for commuting, recreational and training cyclists.
The intention has not been to identify every street or area where cycling paths and facilities could be located. After the Principal Bicycle Network has been established the aim of the Hobart City Council Bicycle Advisory Committee will be to identify a local bicycle network within suburbs to further enhance safer cycling options.
Some elements of a cycling network already exist such as the intercity cycleway and the South Hobart Rivulet track. There has been continuing development of recreational cycling trails within Wellington Park.
The City of Hobart has only limited opportunities to create off-road cycling paths to connect the residential areas of Hobart.
In order to create a network of arterial cycling facilities, on-road cycling paths will be required to provide a higher level of safety and amenity for all road users.
On-road cycling facilities are recognised by the Australian road rules and the Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice Part 14 – Bicycles, guides their design and installation.
The Hobart City Council will, over time, develop concept designs and undertake individual consultation with stakeholders for all the identified arterial routes to ensure that a balanced outcome is achieved for all.
We value your comments and feedback on the proposed draft Principal Bicycle Network. If you would like to provide comments, please either:
email : bairds@hobartcity.com.au (Attention to Stuart Baird)
mail : Sustainable Transport Officer, Hobart City Council, GPO Box 503 Hobart 7001.
telephone : Sustainable Transport Officer, Stuart Baird 62382194.
in person : Feedback forms are available at Council's Customer Service Centre at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Davey Street.
Comments will be compiled at the end of October 2007.
