Hornsby bike paths: State Government announces $1.7m grant
The State Government has announced Hornsby will receive a $1.7m grant for two new bike paths – but the plans have sparked debate.
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The State Government has announced $1.7m of funding will go towards new bike paths for Hornsby.
But the plans have divided the community.
Hornsby MP Matt Kean said there would be two new bike paths constructed, one along Peats Ferry Rd into the Hornsby CBD, which will connect with an existing path on Galston Rd.
The other will be on Edgeworth David Ave which will link Hornsby’s CBD with Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.
The program is part of a wider $700m State Government initiative to boost walking and cycling infrastructure.
Mr Kean said more cycling paths would benefit the environment and encourage residents to do more exercise.
“We’re trying to make it safer and easier for people to ditch their cars and ride their bikes,” Mr Kean said.
“We’ve provided $1.7m in grants to Hornsby Council. It means people will be able to travel safely in Hornsby CBD.
“It’s not only good for cyclists, it’s good for motorists because it will get cyclists off the main roads and it will make it easier for them to coexist.”
Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said there would be community consultation before any works commence.
“These projects take some time to implement. What I do know is you’re not going to be able to reduce the traffic load but sometimes it may mean it has some impact on parking,” Mayor Ruddock said.
“Where we’ve done consultation on other bike path projects, residents have expressed shock horror if it has an impact on vegetation. You have to work out what the competing interests are and that’s why you have consultation.
“At the end of the day you don’t know until you start the process but there is an enormous amount of interest in further access to bike paths.”
The NSW Government has anticipated works will be carried out within a four-year period.
Resident Dawn Kilkelly expressed her concerns.
“I’ve seen the bike lanes in the city and they’re good in the city but when it comes to around here, the two roads are busy enough as it is. To take away road space for cars to use is going to make traffic worse unless they’re going to cut the side walks. That’s going to be the only way they’ll fit them in,” Ms Kikenny said.
“I just don’t see it being a feasible solution. I don’t know if they’ve looked at the stats but do our bike lanes get used all the time?
“There’s other things they could spend money on like kerbs and guttering rather than a bike lane. There’s lots of train stations which need escalators and lifts.”
But other residents have flagged their support for the two new bike paths, stating it’s long overdue.
“I’m originally from Denmark and grew up around bicycles and saw how healthy it is to ride everywhere,” Hornsby Heights resident Carsten Primdal said. “The more people we can get onto bicycles the better for peoples health, for climate change and to reduce emissions.
“It can be scary to cycle on the road here so I think it’s excellent if we can get bicycle lanes. I do think in Australia the cycling culture could do with an upgrade.”
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