Darwin council alderman proposes converting part of popular road Casuarina Drive into a bike path to encourage social distancing

CONGESTION on Nightcliff Foreshore’s walking track as a result of coronavirus restrictions has brought on a radical plan to convert part of Casuarina Dr into a temporary bike track.

Alderman Simon Niblock has proposed a bike path to ease congestion on Casuarina Drive in Nightcliff. Picture: Glenn Campbell

CONGESTION on Nightcliff Foreshore’s walking track as a result of coronavirus restrictions has brought on a radical plan to convert part of Casuarina Dr into a temporary bike track.

An idea to be brought to council on Tuesday by Darwin alderman Simon Niblock could see Casuarina Dr become a one-way street, with traffic diverted to Aralia St and Ryland Rd to make way for the bike path.

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“A trial pop-up bike lane along Casuarina Drive, would give space for cyclists to ride and free up space for pedestrians on the shared path,” he said.

“Temporarily blocking off the northbound (seaside) lane with witches hats or other permeable barriers, from the Nightcliff jetty carpark to the Beachfront hotel would maintain two-way vehicle access to the boat ramp and the Beachfront drive through,” he said.

Mr Niblock said the coronavirus restrictions had caused the footpath to be “busier than ever ….”

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He doesn’t expect costs to be high with no hard infrastructure required, while expecting a minor impact on vehicles given lower traffic levels.