Published on Monday, 10 February 2025 at 10:06:44 AM
The Shire of Collie has worked through their footpath network and identified several areas where missing links of footpaths need to be addressed to complete networks and provide safe and separated facilities for people walking and wheeling.
Looking at the identified networks and aligning the missing links to the Department of Transports Bunbury-Wellington 2050 Cycling Strategy, the Shire has identified that construction of new paths needs to be delivered to support active travel and create opportunities to build liveable and safe, active streets.
Bike lanes and paths should form an intuitive network that connects homes, school, workplaces, recreation facilities and shopping centres[1]. Ensuring a continuous, safe and protected network will support community to utilise the facility and feel safe using it.
To address this the Shire has submitted four applications as part of the WA Bicycle Network Grants to complete the design and construction of the submitted path locations for the 2025/26 round. If successful, the Shire will co-contribute funding and deliver roughly 800m of new path.
People are vulnerable road users and pedestrians and cyclists have little to no protection if they are involved in a collision, therefore the provision of safe infrastructure is critical. Research shows that the chance of vulnerable road users surviving an impact with a vehicle reduces dramatically when speeds are below 30km/h[2]. The provision of shared paths or footpaths provide protected facilities for vulnerable road users, creating dedicated path networks limiting interactions with vehicles.
The successful applications and support of the grant funding will enable the Shire to deliver more projects faster with the Shire’s budget.
Article photo: Google Maps, street view Whitenoom Street, Collie. Plans to correct this missing link where the path ends at intersection with no connection.
[1] Road Safety Toolkit, Bicycle Facilities, https://toolkit.irap.org/safer-road-treatments/bicycle-facilities/, 5 December 2024.
[2] Road Safety Toolkit, Bicyclists and Light Mobility, https://toolkit.irap.org/crash-type/bicyclist-and-light[2]mobility/#, 5 December 2024.
Back to All News