Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean has recently spent a very busy week traversing the New England and Mid North Coast regions of NSW.
First up was two full days sharing ideas and debating issues with hundreds of fellow councillors at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Tamworth. Peter was re-elected in September as an independent councillor at Camden Council.
Of course, Peter is a dedicated #CouncillorForActiveTransport and heads up the finest bicycle advocacy group in NSW. And so he turned north from Tamworth to learn as much as possible about the challenges and opportunities for bicycle riding in regional areas.
Thanks to Peter for sharing this trip report!
Many meetings in many towns
It was fantastic to get out into regional NSW. I caught up with some friends of Bicycle NSW. But very importantly, I was able to meet some new contacts and develop key relationships with regional councils.
My meetings started in New England at Tamworth, Walcha and Armidale before heading over to the Coffs Coast, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie. I often get to visit areas within a few hours of greater Sydney, but bigger trips are harder to schedule. So I really enjoyed visiting areas I hadn't seen for some years!
A coffee stop at Sawtell where Peter (right) met members of Dorrigo Urunga Bellingen BUG (DUBBUG) and Coffs BUG (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Overall, my trip was very positive and inspiring. It wasn’t just the great people I met, but their enthusiasm for developing active transport in regional communities, that will stay with me.
And progress is clearly being made. Although you don’t see the highly designed and planned separated bicycle paths that are being rolled out in greater Sydney, there are strong networks of shared paths which are becoming more connected and very well used.
For example, Tamworth has shared paths throughout the town and on both sides of the Peel River. There are very popular with dog walkers, riders, jogging groups - and unfit runners like myself.
An early run along the Peel River in Tamworth (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Active transport infrastructure is so important for health and liveability. Those communities who do it the best will thrive from healthier residents and, of course, more tourism dollars.
What did I observe and learn?
- Walking and cycling infrastructure continues to develop and strengthen in all areas which I visited. There wasn’t one group, council or elected official who didn’t understand why active transport is essential for their communities – for healthy, low-cost transport, for recreation and, of course, for tourism. Indeed, it now seems that active transport is a ‘must have’ in regional towns and cities because the community and visitors know the benefits.
- Communities in regional NSW are actively requesting shared paths, footpaths and crossings, especially in new housing estates and subdivisions just out of town. It is clear that residents want to exercise, they want their kids to ride and walk to school and they want to be connected to the town - and not just by a roadway.
- Regional towns are open to the idea of dropping their CBD speed limits from 50km to 40km per hour, as has happened down in Orange for example. It is well accepted by almost everyone that this is safer for all road users. And it reduces the need for often costly bicycle infrastructure. Let's hope we see a few more towns adopting this model and possibly even considering a 30km speed limit for their CBDs.
- A number of regional areas have cleverly integrated their active transport networks with State roads. This perhaps hasn't provided the world's most scenic and sought after cycling experience. However, it has ensured the State Government has helped to fund sections of shared path as they own the road corridor and asset. This has significantly helped smaller regional councils deliver connections which would otherwise be abandoned due to lack of funding.
- There is a strong pipeline of walking and cycling plans and projects just about everywhere. A number of grants have been paid out for the design and development of active transport infrastructure. These projects will achieve great health, wellbeing, tourism, social and environmental outcomes. But too many are languishing, unfunded and at risk of becoming outdated.
So listen up State and Federal Governments: NSW councils are ready and able to deliver extraordinary walking and cycling infrastructure. But they need much more funding.
- Rail trails are of great interest in the New England region. However a massive blow has been dealt to the New England Rail Trail as funding has been withdrawn. There will be a lot more to this story, but I hope the project will be funded again very soon.
A huge thank you to Tamworth Regional Council, Walcha Council, Armidale Regional Council, Bellingen Shire Council, City of Coffs Harbour, Coffs BUG, DUBBUG, Nambucca Valley Council, Kempsey Shire Council and Better By Bike Port Macquarie for making the time to meet with me and tell me about your local achievements and opportunities. Apologies to all the people I missed but I'll be back out and about in 2025!
Before you go…
Bicycle NSW has been campaigning for a better environment for bike riding for almost 50 years. It is the only bicycle advocacy group based in NSW with full time staff advocating every day for all riders. But did you know that we are funded only by membership fees and donations?
Please join Bicycle NSW and support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
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