Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy

Transcription

1 Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy

2 Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy Introduction In February 2010 a draft master plan for cycleways was presented to the community. The feedback received has allowed the formulation of the first cycling network strategy for the city. The Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy has been produced to encourage and develop community participation in cycling for commuting, recreation and health. The benefits of cycling are well established, they include health and fitness, improved road safety, economic as well as environmental. Image Courtesy of Neil Gould This Cycling Network Strategy incorporates the vision of the recently released Tasmanian Government strategy on Walking and Cycling for Active Transport as Devonport seeks to: Create a safe, accessible and well connected transport system that encourages more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday journeys. The Tasmanian Government strategy identifies cycling (and walking) as: important transport options now and for the future and will make our communities more liveable and better connected and our people healthier and physically active. 2

3 Objective The Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy supports the following priorities in the Australian National Cycling Strategy : Integrated Planning by including cycling as an essential component in integrated transport and land use planning Infrastructure and Facilities by creating infrastructure and facilities that support increased cycling Road Safety by enabling and encouraging safe cycling The Devonport Road Network Strategy (2009) encourages the use of cycling as a sustainable transport option: promotion of alternative modes of transport to the private vehicle obviously provides the Devonport community with the opportunity to embrace the principles of sustainable transport. The objective of the Cycling Network Strategy is to promote cycling as a relatively low cost, healthy and sustainable mode of transport. Implementing the strategy will result in a fully developed cycling network connecting the community and linking the coast. The principal objective of this Cycling Network Strategy is : To increase bicycle use by providing a cycling network and facilities for cyclists throughout the City of Devonport 3

4 Cycling Network Strategy EXISTING FACILITIES The existing cycling facilities within the city are: Shared paths on the Victoria Bridge; and Two off-road shared paths predominantly along the foreshore Figure 1 shows the existing bicycle paths within the city. Coles Beach Shared Pathway 4

5 Existing The Devonport Road Network Strategy (2009) identified: No cycle link between East Devonport and the CBD; Lack of on-road cycling facilities within the CBD; No cycling facilities to connect to regional areas, such as Latrobe and Port Sorell; Devonport is served by relatively wide roads and in many cases low traffic volumes; as a result there is great potential to add these cycle links by introducing on-road facilities. A fully developed cycling network has two main types of facilities: On-Road - Where a dedicated or shared lane is provided for cycling on a public road. Off-Road - Where a dedicated or shared path is provided separate to the road, these paths can be within the road reserve or through open space and parklands. Lawrence Drive, Hillcrest 5

6 Cycling Network Strategy Cycling Activities A Bike Survey for Devonport was conducted in March 2010 with feedback being received in response to questions about: Type of cycling activity; Favourite cycling routes; Facilities that could be provided; Routes that needed improvement; Where was considered unsafe to ride Cycling Activity generally fits into to one of the following categories: Recreational; Commuting; Touring; or For health Over half the respondents to the Bike Survey identified recreation as the main reason they cycled. Implementing a well connected network will support this and will result in a significant increase in commuting cycling. Annual data should be collected, utilizing Super Tuesday counts to monitor the effectiveness of new facilities. Survey Results Favourite Routes Understandably the off road facilities along the foreshore were identified as the most popular routes, having excellent views and no conflict with cars. Facilities to Provide Most respondents to the survey said that dedicated bike lanes and tracks would encourage them to cycle more. Needing Improvement Many opportunities for improvement were identified in the survey, improving accessibility and providing a safe cycle network will address the majority of these. Unsafe Areas Middle Road, Miandetta Formby Road and The Four Ways were identified as the two most unsafe places to cycle within the city. 6

7 Proposed Treatments Treatment Options On-Road Bike Lanes For the safety and acceptance of new on-road cycling lanes it is vital that the lanes are wide enough to ensure cyclists have sufficent space to ride in, and that they are separated from adjacent motor vehicles. Bicycle facilities should conform to the Austroads Guide with the current dimensions for bicycle facilities: Dedicated bike lane 1.2m-2.5m Shared Parking and Bicycle Lanes 3.7m-4.5m Off-Road Paths Off road bicycle paths must be wide enough to provide sufficient clearance between cyclists and pedestrians. Off Road Path 2.0m-4.0m Footpath Cycling Since 1999 the Australian Road Rules (Regulations) have allowed footpath cycling (except where prohibited by signage). Under 12 s are permitted to cycle on any public footpath. Consideration needs to be given to the width of new footpaths in all areas to adequately accommodate the presence of cyclists. A minimum overall width should be set at 2.0m Supporting Amenities Consideration needs to be given to appropriate provision of shelter, storage and signage for cyclists. End of Trip Facilities such as secure and accessible bicycle parking should be provided at appropriate destinations within the city. Shopping centres should also be encouraged to provide bicycle parking amenities. Accessibility A key aim of the strategy is to provide cycling facilities that are readily accessible to the community. Network routes linking to key Proposed Lanes River Road, Ambleside destinations such as schools, recreation facilities and the CBD have been identified. Promotion The Walking and Cycling for Active Transport Strategy states that: Increasing the number of people walking and cycling, particularly to school or work, will increase the community s acceptance of cycling and walking as legitimate modes of transport. The profile of cyclists within the road network will be raised with the provision of dedicated on road facilities. Acceptance and promotion of cycling will encourage more people to participate. Corporate Transport Corporations should be encouraged to support and promote the use of cycling as a means of alternative transport for commuting and business. Council has developed and implemented a Workplace Bike Program with bicycles available for staff to use for business and recreation. 7

8 Cycling Network Strategy Devonport City Cycling Network The following key cycling routes have been identified. Formby Road From the Victoria Bridge to Steele Street, the Formby Road shared path would provide the missing link from East Devonport to the CBD. Devonport Road Spreyton Link This link to Spreyton would provide an attractive foreshore pathway connecting the expanding areas to the south of the city with the Victoria Bridge and the city itself. A vital component of the pathway would be the Horsehead Creek Footbridge providing a safe passage of travel for cyclists who currently negotiate the narrow road bridge. River Road Link to Latrobe The River Road link to Latrobe would provide a safe and attractive route for cyclists riding between Ambleside and the township of Latrobe. This route is very popular with cyclists but provides little in the way of protection due to the narrow and winding road alignment in the rural section south of Ambleside. The proposal includes a safe recreational pathway clear of the road for the majority of this riverside journey and would also provide on-road bike lanes in the suburban through route of River Road. 8

9 Key Cycling Routes East Devonport Connections Linking to the main shopping centre, primary school, recreation facilities and foreshore path; utilizing Wright Street with side links in John, Thomas and Brooke Streets. Predominantly on road facilities with dedicated bike lanes. Potential catchment of key routes based on 250m range Devonport Central The Best Street Spine, traversing the entire length of Best Street from the Don Reserve Path near the Aquatic Centre to Formby Road, using a combination of on road and off road facilities. Allowing access to the high school, four ways and to the CBD. Western Explorer The missing link to our Central Coast neighbours. The Miandetta Meander Capitalizing on a crown reserve corridor this link connects from Middle Road past the primary school and thru to the new Formby Road pathway. Will require Crown Lands approval. A supplementary connection via Forbes Street is also included. The Hillcrest Rise Providing bicycle access to the Polytech College and Hillcrest Primary with an alternative route into the CBD via Macfie Street. 9

10 Cycling Network Strategy Railway Corridor Utilizing the railway transportation corridor from Coles Beach to Oldaker Street, this new off road path will require DIER approval. Don Heads Entry Attaching to the railway bridge this short link across the Don River from Coles Beach would improve accessibility to the Don Heads. Requires DIER approval to attach structure to railway bridge. Barriers to Cycling With the expansion of commercial and residential activities in the Don Road and Stony Rise Road areas, consideration should also be given to cyclists. Don Road poses a significant north-south barrier to cyclists and safe crossing facilities will need to be provided. The Bass Highway crossing points also need to cater for cyclists, existing overpasses at Middle Road and Forbes Street should includes bicycle facilities along with the underpass on Stony Rise Road. North South A provisional route connecting to the schools in the predominantly residential area of the city. Image Courtesy of Paul Joseph Infrastructure Upgrades Sections of the existing foreshore and Don Reserve tracks should be upgraded and widened to accommodate the increased usage and in compliance with acceptable standards for shared paths. Any road infrastructure upgrades on key or potential cycling routes should make provision for cycling facilities. Extra width on sub-arterials and major collectors to accommodate bike lanes should be included when upgrade works are being scoped. Action Plan To enable the detailed assessment, prioritization and development of the facilities identified in the Devonport City Cycling Network Strategy an Action Plan is to be adopted by December

11 Terms The Big Picture Ultimately, Devonport s neighbouring communities of Latrobe and Central Coast will become connected with the cycling network as it expands to east, west and south. The Cradle Coast Authority is developing a Coastal Regional Pathway to co-ordinate the linking of coastal communities. Glossary of Terms Accessibility - the ease with which cyclists can utilize cycling facilities. Bicycle in this document the term bicycle refers to any vehicle that is propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears. Cycling Network the system of cycling paths, lane and tracks. Cycling Facilities Infrastructure that is cycling specific, such as on road lanes, paths and bicycle parking. End of Trip Facilities amenities which support cyclists at the end of their trip including safe access, bicycle parking, seating, water, and toilets. On Road Lanes - A lane marked on a road with a cycle symbol, which can only be used by cyclists. Shared Path - An off road path provided for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. Super Tuesday - Australia's biggest visual bike count, aims to establish a reliable annual benchmark for bicycle commuting. Supporting Amenities - Amenities which support cyclists during their activity e.g. bike storage, signage and rest areas 11

12 Proposed Lanes River Road, Ambleside DEVONPORT CITY COUNCIL Best Street Devonport Front Cover Images Wheels: Dominik Gwarek Tree: Agata Urbaniak Biker: Martin Luechinge