Surf Coast Shire Council will seek funding opportunities for cycle safety improvement works along Fischer Street in Torquay.
Community consultation helped identify Fischer Street as the preferred route for a future safe cycling connection between central and north Torquay.
This feedback came from the community survey, which was completed by 212 people and a panel workshop of 35 people, which included residents, cyclists and representatives from a local school, bus company and Victoria Police.
The safe cycling connection is planned to be suitable for bike riders of all abilities, with safe road links to Deep Creek and The Esplanade.
The exact details – such as road treatments and any potential impacts on some car parking – are not yet known. Funding opportunities which may become available over the coming months and years will help determine what works are considered.
A variety of road treatment options could be used to create the cycling connection, which range from simply upgrading intersections to help separate bikes and cars, to more extensive works such as installing separated bike lanes.
Council will engage with directly affected residents prior to any proposed changes being made to the streetscape as part of this project.
Surf Coast Shire Councillor Kate Gazzard said the benefits of active transport, including cycling, were wide-ranging.
“This is about making it not only safer, but also easier for to people to hop on a bike and ride to the shops, cafes, schools and other places. Encouraging cycling as a means of transport makes our people healthier, our roads less congested and our air cleaner.”
“At this stage, there is no timeframe for this project as funding is yet to be sought, and it is likely to be staged across multiple years,” Cr Gazzard said.
As a separate project, Council has secured funding for some road safety improvement works in the Fischer Street area, which are planned for mid to late 2024. These works, which include raised pedestrian crossings, roundabout upgrades and road resurfacing, will help support safer cycling on the Fischer Street corridor in the short-term until a long-term solution is funded.
