FLOATING cycle bridges on lakes in Yellagonga Regional Park are proposed in the latest transport plan for Perth.
Released for public consultation last week, the Perth Transport Plan for 3.5 Million and Beyond proposes increasing Perth’s bicycle network from 172km to 357km by 2031 and 840km by 2050.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the plan included cycling bridges over Lake Joondalup and Lake Goollelal.
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READ NOW“That will shorten the ride from east Wanneroo to Joondalup and Darch to Kingsley and provide better access to the Yellagonga Regional Park,” he said.
The plan recommended both green bridges be built by the time Perth’s population reached 3.5 million – in about 2050 – as part of the infrastructure needed to improve connectivity across rivers and lakes.
“Lake Joondalup and Lake Goollelal in the Yellagonga Regional Park separate Wanneroo residents from the Joondalup activity centre and restrict access to the Mitchell Freeway cycleway and train stations,” it said.
“The new crossings will improve access to these facilities, as well as the recreational shared paths within the Yellagonga Regional Park.”
Aiming to reduce walking and cycling times, it said the Lake Joondalup green bridge would link cyclists and pedestrians directly to the town centre, and the one across Lake Goollelal would provide better access to Greenwood train station.
Taiwan-based architect Bart van Bueren supplied an artist’s impression of a floating cycleway for the transport plan.
Mr van Bueren said features of the structure included a mooring system, a design that water could flow through, elements that were easy to connect and monomaterial concrete that made it easier to recycle at the end of the structure’s life.
City of Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard welcomed the proposals, saying one of the major issues in the area was traffic congestion caused by thousands of motorists travelling to and from Perth’s CBD for work.
“The bridges would greatly assist with connectivity for cyclists travelling from travelling east to west, helping to ease congestion in particular for park-and-riders at train stations along the Joondalup line,” he said.
“The City’s aspirational Bike Plan 2016-2021 identifies a vision for Joondalup to be recognised as the bike friendly City. Infrastructure such as bridges across our two major waterways helps to facilitate a bike-friendly culture and leads to a healthier, safer and more liveable community.”
The transport plan recommended completing the recreational cycling network along the beachfront between Two Rocks and Wannanup, filling gaps in the off-road network and providing end-of-trip facilities such as bike storage, change rooms and showers in major activity centres.
WestCycle chief executive officer Matt Fulton welcomed the launch of the plan on July 29, saying it showed how far cycling had come in WA.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for people who already ride and this plan will encourage even more people to get on their bikes,” he said.
The non-profit organisation described the plan as “a win for cycling infrastructure in WA” that identified a routes and paths that would provide safe and connected links between universities, schools, train stations, activity centres and tourist destinations.
Welcoming key infrastructure but concerned about the absence of specific timeframes, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said cycling infrastructure was important for the local community.
“It’s really good now to see the cycling network being part of the whole vision,’ she said.