Media release – Cycling South, 4 March 2024

Call for Active Transport funding to deliver the Greater Hobart Cycling Plan

Cycling South is calling on the major parties to commit to the implementation of the Greater Hobart Cycling Plan. The plan identifies separated cycling routes that can be used by all ages and abilities (AAA) so that children, teenagers and retirees can feel comfortable riding their bikes to go places.

Chair of Cycling South, Cr Amanda Midgley, says “The narrow lanes and one-way street configuration within the Hobart CBD makes it really challenging to cycle to work, shops and services – even for people who live close to the city and want to ride.”

“The hostile road environment means people are too scared to ride their bikes, even for short distances. By providing separated cycleways people riding bicycles or scooters are protected from motor vehicles by physical barriers, not just a painted white line.”

We only need around 5% of the population to shift from driving to riding to see noticeable improvement of traffic congestion in the city.

We carry out annual bike counts every March to see how people commute by bicycle. We know that when quality cycling infrastructure is provided numbers go up such as the Rose Garden Bridge across the Brooker Hwy.

We will be carrying out counts on Tuesday 5 March at 54 intersections across Greater Hobart to see how many people are riding and their preferred routes. We know that if better quality infrastructure was provided, more people would ride for their health, cost savings and convenience.

The Greater Hobart Councils are working together to deliver a connected cycling network but the State Government needs to come to the party by providing Active Transport funding for projects and installing cycling infrastructure on state government roads.

Priority cycling projects in the plan include:

  • Collins St cycleway to link the South Hobart Rivulet Track to the Hobart CBD
  • A Tasman Highway cycleway connecting Mornington and Warrane to the Rosny CBD, Tasman Bridge and Bellerive ferry
  • Channel Highway cycleway linking Huntingfield to the Kingston CBD
  • Intercity Cycleway extension from Claremont to Austins Ferry