Improvement works are nearing completion on a shared path project along Welshpool Road in Wattle Grove, with works expected to complete in the next week. The City has successfully received grant funding from the Department of Transport to improve and create additional cycling routes along Berkshire and Dundas Roads leading to the new train station, and in Forrestfield connecting Dawson Park Primary School, Woodlupine Primary School, and the Hawaiian’s Forrestfield Shopping Centre with design underway later this year.

City Mayor Margaret Thomas said cycling connections in the City are in dire need.  “We have a large number of cyclists who both live in and visit the area and have focused our attention on key access routes to line up with other cycling infrastructure in the wider Perth metro area, along conduits such as Tonkin and Roe Highway. The improvements in High Wycombe and Forrestfield are important links and will benefit workers, recreational cyclists and families throughout the region.”

“Cycling is not just good for you from a health point of view, the industry itself has many benefits with strong links to Tourism. Perth Hills are known for premium cycling routes with more than 65km of main and rural roads used by cyclists for recreation and training the next target for funding and upgrade.”

“Each week, more than 1,800 cyclists from across Perth use our roads and support local businesses and we want to create more  cycling infrastructure to support the ongoing demand,” Cr Thomas said.

Further planned Improvements identified in the plan include the Kalamunda and Gooseberry Hill routes with 6.9km of cycling paths and bike boulevards ($2m), Kalamunda Town Centre with 5.25km of dedicated cycling lanes and bike boulevards ($2.91m), Kalamunda Road with 6.6km of widening for dedicated cycling lanes ($1.84m), Welshpool Road East with 5.65km of dedicated cycling lanes and treatments ($3.65m), Canning Road with 31.4km of dedicated cycling lanes and rural training routes ($3m) and the connection to the City of Armadale with 9.3km of dedicated cycling lanes ($4m).

“If we can move our plan forward, I think the region can become a leading international destination for cycle tourism which in turn will boost the local economy from direct spend and indirect effects,” Cr Thomas said. “Additionally, there are the numerous benefits to health and wellbeing that should not be ignored.”

For more information on the Kalamunda Cycle Plan, contact the City on (08) 9257 9999 or email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.