AN ONLINE petition has been initiated to gauge community support for a safe bike path between Tathra and Bega.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The petition on website change.org was created by Kalaru resident and member of the informal Facebook group “Bega to Tathra – Safe Ride” Doug Reckord to promote the idea of a bike route between the towns.
He said such a track would help “provide road safety, health, tourism, environmental and community benefits”.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Facebook page had 377 supporters from all walks of life around the Bega Valley.
“The petition is actually a survey in a sense to gauge the interest and gather information to take back to council,” Mr Reckord said.
“It’s not a question of council not having a bike plan, they do and we want to help them turn it into a reality.”
Mr Reckord said construction of the path would create a safer road for all users and also help relieve the stress caused by the issue of car parking spaces around the Bega business strip.
“If 100 people were to use the bike path, that means less competition for car spaces around Bega, which also provides the potential for savings,” he said.
“If you build the infrastructure, riders of all kinds will turn up for a range of different reasons.
“It is all about wellbeing and getting out and about and enjoying our magnificent environment.”
One local resident who has signed the petition is Kalaru resident and regular cyclist Ben Parker, who rides the Tathra Rd to work in Bega once a week.
“I often ride out by the bypass and down Kerrisons Lane on the way home because I feel safer,” he said.
“I had a bus on the flat at Jellat that passed me in my lane, but after calling the bus company it didn’t happen again,” he said.
“Even a gravel path would make a difference.”
Matt Lehoczky from Sapphire Coast Physiotherapy also added his name to the petition and said the path would be a positive move for a range of reasons.
“It would be a positive move from an injury prevention and also a community health perspective, as safety is a reason people choose to exercise,” he said.
Mr Reckord said the community input so far has exceeded his expectations.
“It has been really exciting to see the enthusiastic response to our Facebook page and petition, supporting the council’s bike plan and initiatives to ensure a safe ride between Bega and Tathra,” he said.
“People support the idea of investment to support active lifestyles and can see the road safety, health, tourism, environmental and community benefits of improved bicycle infrastructure.
“Our next meeting is September 17 at 2.30pm at the council chambers and those interested in playing an active role in helping make Bega–Tathra Safe Ride happen are most welcome.”
Readers support the idea in droves
A poll that has been running on the BDN website since the start of July has registered 83 per cent support for the idea of a Bega to Tathra bike track.
Vote below:
RELATED LINKS