A cycling advocate is calling on the state government to invest in better local cycling routes and arterial paths for riders in the western suburbs.
Pierro Varro of Bike West said Infrastructure Victoria’s call for a major cycling route between Werribee and Footscray to be established was good advocacy progress, but a network of highly connected footpaths across the west are needed first.
“We don’t envision people using that corridor all the way from Werribee to Footscray …a comfortable bike trip for most people is about five kilometres,,” Mr Varro said.
“We need to encourage some people to leave their cars at home and do some of their trips by bike, so our roads continue to function and residents of Melbourne can get to places reliably and quickly.”
Mr Varro said areas such as Wyndham and Melton would benefit from improved local networks due to a large number of residents being younger than 18.
“I would start building networks around schools and it gives kids the ability to independently get to school without having to be dropped off by mum and dad.
“Being able to get to work and get that pocket money without relying on mum and dad or infrequent buses to get their part time gigs is a bonus.
“Also, when kids turn 18 and tend to buy cars as soon as possible, that is a time when you don’t have a lot of money and you are spending huge amounts of money on transport.”
He said investing in cycling infrastructure and getting more cars off the road is needed as the city’s population expands.
Star Weekly understands the state government has upgraded the Federation Trail between Werribee and Brooklyn to make it more accessible to cyclists and will link it with the new 2.5km elevated veloway along Footscray Road to improve cycling infrastructure in the region.
