Choke point: Tahmoor cyclist Alan Willock has been advocating for a cycle network in Wollondilly for the last three years. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Living in Wollondilly means spending at least 100 minutes travelling every day, according to Transport Data Centre statistics. Michael Cox reports.
Wollondilly has the worst transport record among its regional neighbours, statistics from the Transport Data Centre’s 2007 household travel survey show.
The average resident spends more than 100 minutes in travelling time each day compared to Wingecarribee residents who travel just over an hour, according to the most recent figures available.
On average each Wollondilly household owns more than two cars.
Wingecarribee residents own less than one car per household.
Wollondilly Council has allocated an extra $100,000 towards developing a bicycle network for commuters, recreational users and families in this year’s budget to provide alternative transport measures.
Areas where cyclists need to merge into through traffic are referred to as “choke points”. And Wollondilly Council’s infrastructure and planning manager Dick Webb said Wollondilly had too many of them for cycling to become an alternative form of transport at the moment.
Cycle works recently finished on Remembrance Drive Tahmoor cost more than $150,000 to construct.
Mr Webb said the shared cycleway was one part of making Wollondilly more cycle-friendly.
He said support infrastructure including bike racks and toilet and shower facilities would be ideal.
Mr Webb said the council was considering merging its Alternative Transport Committee, Transport Forum and the Economic Advisory Group’s sub-Transport Committee into one transport advisory group.
The amalgamation means a wider range of alternative and public transport problems may be addressed and a focus could be placed on establishing shared cycleways.
“There will be less duplication across three groups,” Mr Webb said.
“Remembrance Drive has been historically not designed for cyclists,” he said.
A member of the Bargo cycling group BarBugs, Alan Willock, said he avoided using Remembrance Drive because he had a close call with two buses.
The 56-year-old Tahmoor man said he would prefer to ride via Thirlmere to get to Picton than to ride his bike on Remembrance Drive.
The transport committee is focusing on establishing a Picton/Tahmoor route for bicycles because the road was not wide enough for cyclists.
“People say they’d love to cycle but they’re too scared to get on the road — and I don’t blame them,” he said.
Mr Willock said the state and federal governments needed to contribute more to cycle networks.
“Councils can’t afford to put paths like this one (Tahmoor’s new path on Remembrance Drive) on every road,” he said.

On The Right Path

Wollondilly Mayor, Michael Banasik is pushing for funding for a shared cycle and pathway between Picton Highschool and Tahmoor

Cr Banasik said the path would improve safety for students and pedestrians, and would also promote exerciseand a healthy lifestyle

The shared path and cycleway is expected to cost more than $300,000 to construct.

BARBUG cyclist group members Alan Willock and Sally Knyvett support Michael Banasik's (centre) push for a shared cycleway between Tahmoor and Picton High School

to read entire article go to: Macarthur Chronicle

It will be enormously beneficial both for the residents and tourism in the shire, when these “proposed” cycleways are complete.

The health and ecological benefits of cycling are well documented, but it is cycle-tourism that will bring financial benefits for Wollondilly.

You only have to look at Victoria to see the tourism benefits of their numerous rail-trails and cycle-friendly towns. Thousands of cyclists from all over Australia, and the world, use accommodation,  sightsee, visit wineries and dine at cafes and restaurants throughout Victoria.

With Wollondilly being on Sydney’s doorstep, we are uniquely placed to offer similar benefits to Sydney’s cycling community. Particularly during the economic downturn, when people will think twice before taking expensive holidays.

A short trip from Sydney and cyclists can enjoy our beautiful shire.

For more information and maps of the proposed cycleways go to: Wollondilly Shire Council – Shared Cycleways in Wollondilly

As each new section is complete I will include it in a map of: Existing Cycleways in Wollondilly.