Community pressure to complete an off-road walking and cycling route from Bega to Tathra has ramped up! An ePetition to fund the Kalaru to Bega section is now open for signatures on the NSW Parliament's website.
Bicycle User Group Bega Tathra Safe Ride has spearheaded the #GoAllTheWay campaign to continue the Tathra to Kalaru path to the regional centre of Bega. “We ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the Government to recognise the Kalaru to Bega Shared Path as a high-priority, regional transport corridor project,” says Doug Reckord of Bega Tathra Safe Ride. “It is valuable infrastructure that needs adequate funding for construction and maintenance.”
The scenery is lovely! The #GoAllTheWay campaign is pushing for more NSW Government funding to open up beautiful Bega Shire countryside for local trips and cycle tourism. (Image: Bega Tathra Safe Ride)
Stage One has been a great success
The first 10km section from Tathra to Kalaru opened in 2020. And it has been hugely popular, enabling useful daily trips and creating recreation opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.
The new shared path from Tathra to Kalaru has provided residents of all abilities a safe place to exercise and connect with the natural environment. (Image: Bega Tathra Safe Ride)
Bicycle NSW is very supportive of Bega Valley Shire Council’s plans to extend the path into the centre of Bega, as set out in our 2021 submission.
The 2021 public consultation aimed to determine the preferred route among four proposed path alignments and sought feedback on amenity, signage and safety.
Residents’ views were pivotal in shaping the feasibility study for the Kalaru to Bega shared path
With over 245 surveys completed, community responses have been overwhelmingly supportive.
The most popular route alignment involves a shared path running parallel to the road from Kalaru to Bega, traversing the picturesque Jellat Jellat Flats and Tathra Road. This route would culminate at the intersection leading to Upper Street in Bega, near the showground.
Daniel Djikic, Bega Valley Shire Project Manager, emphasized the importance of understanding community travel priorities for Kalaru to Bega. What’s apparent is that more people would walk, wheel, roll and run with safe facilities.
South Coast residents and visitors love getting active, but need more safe places to ride. A 2022 community ride (Image: Bega to Tathra Safe Ride)
Survey respondents revealed compelling insights with safety as paramount
66% expressed that they use bicycles for recreational and exercise purposes, while 24% accompany their children on bike rides. 90% of respondents prefer a dedicated, traffic-separated space for biking, as opposed to sharing the road with vehicles. Furthermore, nearly half surveyed indicated they would utilize the shared path several times a week.
However, it's anticipated that the actual usage might be even higher, considering the influx of visitors and tourists who often bring their bicycles when exploring the scenic far south coast.
Such exciting potential for the visitor economy
The beautiful Bega region could develop into a mecca for cyclists with the Bega to Tathra off-road path as a centrepiece that links into longer scenic rides across the region. As has been shown with the Central West Cycle trail and the many rail trails across Australia, cycle tourism has enormous potential to attract visitors to regional areas.
On the road to Bega. “No matter how many times I do this ride I am delighted by the amazing scenery,” says Doug Reckord. “I love it!! I’ve ridden in nice places all over the world and I know this route stacks up as a great ride IF we could ride safely. At the moment, I wouldn’t recommend the ride to anyone but experienced road riders. However, we know from our recent community ride that large numbers of riders would love to do it if provided with a safe path.” (Image: Bega to Tathra Safe Ride)
“The Kalaru to Bega Shared Path is vital for the health and safety of local residents wanting to get active,” says Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “We commend Bega Valley Shire Council for its great community consultation, and we thank NSW Government for funding the feasibility study. We will continue support the project as it moves closer to making the vision a reality.”
Join the push for more funding so the Kalaru to Bega Shared Path can #GoAllTheWay. Sign the ePetition here before 14th December!
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