Cycle links a key for Hobart’s riders

IF we want to encourage bike riding, we need better path networks, says a bicycle group.

There’s a call for better links between Hobart’s bike paths.

LINKING Hobart’s cycleways should be a priority if the city is to encourage more people to get on their bikes, says Bicycle Network Tasmania.

Spokesman Garry Bailey said the Intercity Cycleway and bicycle lanes on Sandy Bay Rd and Campbell St meant Hobart was “pretty close” to being able to support increasing numbers of cyclists.

“The problem is the missing links. They [cycleways] don’t all link up very well at the moment,” Mr Bailey said.

With hundreds of students moving into a 15-storey CBD student apartment complex in February, the University of Tasmania is working on plans to provide e-bike sharing.

In its draft Sustainable Transport Strategy, the university advocates greater take-up of public transport and active transport – cycling and walking – through the provision of improved services in the city and greater Hobart.

“Just having 400 university students suddenly living in the city is going to change the dynamic,” Mr Bailey said.

He said it would be challenging to link up each of the university’s campuses with cycling infrastructure.

A particular challenge was linking the Sandy Bay campus with central Hobart.

He said the long-discussed Battery Point walkway, which Mr Bailey said could double as a cycleway, was the only feasible way to connect the two.

Bicycle Network Tasmania also wants to see a bicycle lane on Collins St to connect the Rivulet Track with central Hobart and to continue the lane on Campbell St all the way to the waterfront.

Mr Bailey said safety would increase with numbers.

“The thing that really changes the dynamic between big cars and bikes is the number of bikes on the road.

“The more bikes are there, the more people are used to it.”

Bicycle Network Tasmania has said making a safe passing distance law and lowering speed limits in the city centre to 30km/h would also help.

Mr Bailey said campaigns encouraging drivers to ensure a safe passing distance had had a positive effect.

Originally published as Cycle links a key for Hobart’s riders