WESTERN Australia’s first bike boulevard in Mt Hawthorn was opened on Sunday.
The $835,000 Shakespeare Street Bike Boulevard, which includes a 30km/h speed limit, runs from Green Street and connects to the dedicated, separated bike lanes along Scarborough Beach Road.
Transport Minister Bill Marmion said building bicycle boulevards was a way to provide people with the infrastructure needed to cycle for short trips.
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“Innovative transport infrastructure such as bike boulevards encourage more people to cycle by creating slower speed environments that connect to the wider cycling network,” he said. “This project involved extensive community consultation, ensuring residents and families in the area were given their ideal facility.”
The State Government-funded project was constructed in about three months by the City of Vincent.
Mayor John Carey said it was ultimately about liveable streets.
“Streets are not just for cars to speed down; families live on these streets,” he said. “Week in and week out I get complaints about speeding cars and traffic; we are focused on pedestrian safety.”
Mr Marmion said the project could connect to the Leederville town centre, Aranmore Catholic College and Leederville Oval.