Wagga cyclists are being asked by the city council to give their input about safety and the potential expansion of shared paths around the region. Photo: Josef Winkler.
Wagga Wagga City Council is seeking input from cyclists and joggers in a new survey about the potential redevelopment and expansion of local shared pathway infrastructure.
The survey asks cyclists about their experiences on Wagga Wagga trails, including how safe it is to ride in the CBD, which trails are used by cyclists most often and where there may be areas of concern.
According to the council, the community response to the survey will help determine the rollout of citywide active travel infrastructure.
Strategic asset planner (Parks and Recreation) Ben Creighton is encouraging cyclists to complete the survey before 31 March to ensure a wide range of responses to determine legitimate concerns and proposals.
“This research is the first of its kind for a regional active travel project, and so the information being sought is quite important for future active travel plans in Wagga Wagga and paves the way for other regional areas,” Mr Creighton said.
“Wagga Wagga is the only place we are aware of that has rolled out citywide infrastructure to this extent in such a short time frame, so the community is in a unique situation.
”The anonymous 10-minute survey is investigating whether a major infrastructure rollout like ours, which rapidly increases accessibility across the city, has a bigger impact on community perceptions of safety and active travel behaviour compared to a piece-by-piece approach to building cycleways.”
Wagga bike rider Josef Winker believes the recent expansion of shared pathways has put Wagga on par with Canberra in terms of creating a cyclist-friendly environment. Photo: Josef Winkler.
Local cyclist Josef Winkler believes despite plans to continue developing trails around Wagga, the council has continued to make riding a bike accessible to more people around the city.
“Several years ago, it wasn’t as easy to get around Wagga without using a busy road, which can be intimidating,” Josef said.
“However, in recent years, especially since COVID began, cycling has gotten really popular in the region and because of that, a lot of trails have been added and improved.
“Wagga is slowly becoming as accessible by bike as Canberra.”
Despite all the work the council has put into the trails, there are a handful of concerns expressed by several cyclists.
“I know a couple of riders have expressed their concerns on a bit of track on Fernleigh Road. It’s quite a rough bit of track and I know that some riders who aren’t as experienced have a bit of difficulty navigating that bit of track,” Josef said.
“There is also a bit of talk about potentially expanding out to Forrest Hill. There is a new section out to Estella and that’s fantastic, so the next logical section, I think, is out to Forrest Hill.”
The survey results will be analysed by the University of Sydney, which will then deliver its findings to Wagga City Council. The survey ends on 31 March.
To take part in the survey and learn more about shared paths in Wagga Wagga, click here.
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