The popularity of commuting by bike or walking is on the increase in Bendigo. With past development of urban trails and paths in the Bendigo urban area, this has seen many of these pathways isolated so presenting difficulties with cycling and walking. In some cases, this has introduced hazards when needing to cross high traffic roads such as High St, Napier St and the McIvor Highway.
As a result of the increasing trail usage, there is currently a renewed focus to build safer connections between a number of these existing off-road urban paths and trails. How will this happen, is there a plan, and what outcomes have already been achieved?
Brett Martini, City of Greater Bendigo Council’s Manager for Infrastructure and Open Spaces recently shared some of the plans and progress for networking these trails, when interviewed on O’Keefe Rail Trail TV (episode 9). Brett also highlighted the Council’s future plans to improve urban pathway connections with the O’Keefe Rail Trail, such as an off-road path linking to the Bendigo railway station, the extension of the Spring Gully Trail, and improving the linked Bendigo Bushland Trail.
