A new free Bellarine bicycle and walking map has received positive feedback during a community consultation meeting.
On Tuesday, the Bellarine Bicycle Users Group hosted a public consultation meeting for cyclists and walkers to share their opinions on an active travel map for the Bellarine.
Group member Annie Proctor said the community had expressed much interest in a map detailing the safest routes for people in the area.
“It’s been several years since we’ve actually had a paper map, which is useful for cyclists and walkers,” she said.
“Basically, it’s something useful for locals, older people, women, and families to be able to get out there safely and learn to ride a bike or to walk with their dogs and explore the area.”
Mrs Proctor said the consultation at the Springdale Neighbourhood Centre received a good turnout and had close to 50 people from all age groups around the Bellarine.
“I think we were quite staggered with the response, and it definitely shows we’re on the right lines,” she said.
“One person from Drysdale had been knocked off by his car three days ago.
“That’s because we haven’t got enough safe places to separate cyclists from the road.”
Mrs Proctor said the map would help bring more tourism to the Bellarine region and make it easier for people to get around.
Mrs Proctor said the map aimed to increase a network of safer cycling routes and open the area to active travel opportunities.
“The next stage is collating all that feedback, then we’re going back to the map producers, and then we’ll do a launch,” she said.
Jena Carr
