Why are we developing a Bike Plan?

    Cycling is a fundamental and direct means of transport to most places. It provides a healthy and environmentally friendly means of transport. It provides an opportunity for increased tourism and social well-being in a given area. This all links together in the Community Strategic Plan towards achieving the goals of being healthy, wealthy, safe & sociable.

    The NSW Government supports bicycle riding as an important part of the transport mix and has set a target in the state plan, NSW 2021, to increase cycling. The NSW Government recognises that a well-planned and integrated bicycle network can contribute to more accessible, sustainable and connected communities. [How to Develop a Bike plan – Roads and Maritime Services 2012]

    Having a vision for the future allows us to properly plan to design and finance this infrastructure. It also makes communicating what we want to see in the future easier.

    A good bike plan will help to attract grant funding for future initiatives/projects.


    What areas will the Plan include?

    The Bike Plan will focus on the mail population centres in the Shire being;

    Kempsey

    South West Rocks

    Crescent Head

    Frederickton

    Smithtown / Gladstone

    Hat Head

    Stuarts Point

    These centres are expected to have the highest cyclist demand within the Shire. The townships of Willararrin and Bellrook have not been included in the initial development of the Plan due to size and rural locations.

    What is a Bike Plan?

    A Bike Plan is a strategic document that identifies an approach to developing and managing cycling infrastructure within a community.

    The strategic, high-level goals of a Bike Plan are based around:
    Integrating consistent and continuous cyclist networks into the transport system to facilitate and encourage cycling.


    Linking cyclist concentrations to networks to facilitate and encourage safe and convenient accessibility.


    Identifying clusters and patterns of cyclist crashes to highlight areas that restrict safe and convenient access.


    Developing and integrating cyclist routes that form part of a wider connected network.
    Linking to and between Planning Instruments (e.g. Local Environment Plans [LEPs] and Development Control Plans [DCPs]

    How many people already cycle to work?

    The latest data indicates that 1.5 to 2.8% of people cycle to work. The highest records were from Smithtown, followed by South West Rocks and then Kempsey.

    How many accidents have occurred involving cyclists?

    Between 2011 and 2016, 12 accidents involving cyclists were recorded. This equates to just over two accidents per year. Most of these accidents resulted in some level of injury however there were no fatalities.