I acknowledge that Phillip Island was and remains the land of the Boonwurrung People. I acknowledge their Elders, past and present. 

Bike Paths.   Let’s Look at a Bigger Picture.

Since beginning my campaign in July, I have been overwhelmed by the calls from across the Island for more bike paths, improvements to the existing paths, and upgrades to bicycle infrastructure generally.   Many Islanders have commented that every Council candidate says they will improve bike paths but once elected their commitment seems to evaporate.   I’ve been asked to explain what I can do that others can’t or won’t.  The best way to answer that question is to more fully outline my vision for Cycling in Bass Coast and the steps I would take to more rapidly and efficiently deliver improved cycling facilities.

The Vision

It is 2030 on the Island.   Our population has grown by another few thousand as existing subdivisions are filled with new homes.  Daily traffic is heavier and slower due to the lowered speed limits across the Island.   (Speed Limits were lowered in the early 2020’s to reduce Roadkill.)  Traffic generated during Peak tourism times, particularly around NYE and the Easter weekend, often exceeds the capacity of our roads and long seasonal traffic jams have become normal.   The cost of fuel, increasing traffic and the imperatives of Climate Change have led many Islanders to use their cars only when essential, relying instead on cycling as their normal day-to-day transport.

All the Estates are linked by off road shared pathways.   Recognizing that the cost of 2.5-metre-wide sealed pathways is significant the community welcomed a new Pathways Strategy in 2021 which saw pathways developed and upgraded sequentially.   New tracks were initially cut as single-track along the nature strips, by volunteers from the community, along lines surveyed and marked by the Shire’s infrastructure team who also supervised the work.   This rapidly linked all the estates with a rideable off-road path.   Based on usage single-track was then upgraded to a dirt shared pathway.   These are in turn upgraded to 2.5 metre gravelled Shared Pathways and finally, in areas indicated by demand, the pathways are sealed as Council Funds or Government Grants become available.   Bollards and barriers are no longer a feature of the main pathways and non-standard sized bicycles are finally able to utilize the shared path network.

At major trailheads and points of interest Rest Stops are provided.   Rest stops have water available, restrooms if they can be co-located readily, basic bench and table seating, and clearly marked You-Are-Here style Map Boards.   In all townships Fast Charging Stations for e-bike batteries are provided and Hire Bicycles are available at seasonal locations on the South Coast as well as in Cowes.  Bike Racks, not the simple hoops so common today but proper racks, are provided in large numbers in every commercial centre and beachhead carpark. The adoption in 2022 of the Bass Coast Pay to Park Scheme, which provided free parking to locals but charged everybody else to park, encouraged many seasonal visitors to get about the Island on bicycles rather than pay to park.   This critical mass of bicycle owners required a few new, small businesses selling and servicing bikes and a real Cycling Culture began to develop.

The creation of the Bass Coast Trailbuilders Team in late 2021 and the rapid roll out of new pathways enabled Council to promote Bass Coast as a Cycling Tourism destination.  Local cafes began to focus on attracting cycle tourists and our Caravan Parks and B&B’s got in on the act providing accommodation to family groups and bikepackers alike.

The first project completed by the Trailbuilders, the Cross-Country Tracks weaving through the Gap Road Forest (which is what a properly designed Carbon Sink becomes) has become well known amongst recreational and competition Mountain Bikers alike.   When MotoGP champions and Supercar drivers began to rave about the Training benefits of the Cross-Country network across the road from the GP Circuit, Tourism numbers from interstate and internationally began to increase.   As the BMX facility and North Shore style skinnies, bridges and see saws were developed at the Carnival Sports Fields the numbers of people cycling for transport and recreation increased exponentially, greatly benefitting our tourist industry with the All-Seasons viability of our cycling network.

Combatting Climate Change requires new solutions to old problems.   Last Mile Logistics is one area where small and micro-businesses can make a significant difference to their Carbon Footprint.   Following trends established in Europe and North America local Courier and Delivery operators began to switch their vehicles from diesel powered vans to E-Cargo bikes.  These range from long wheelbase bicycles through to E-Trikes, recumbent Quads and powered cargo trailers, all sustainably powered by renewable electricity generated locally, requiring no Licenses, no Registration, no Insurances, able to use Bicycle Paths and Shared Pathways and so immune to seasonal traffic Jams.   Pedicabs and Food Bikes, common throughout Europe and Asia became a common sight, servicing beach crowds, festivals and private functions.

Council reached an agreement with Vinfast, the owners of the Lang Lang Proving Ground, to allow their road network to be used as a Test and Development Centre for the State’s nascent Cycle-building industry and the High Speed Loop began to host Human Powered Vehicle Grands Prix.   Students from local schools all had opportunity to develop their STEM skills, experience teamwork, meet deadlines and understand logistics as they took advantage of the new possibilities offered by regular HPV Races.   Some locals, inspired by the HPV’s, acquire Velomobiles and the sight of the brightly coloured torpedo shaped streamliners no longer raises eyebrows.   Over time almost everyone in the community, regardless of their physical fitness, adopted the laid back cycling culture that the Shire has become famous for.

By 2030 Bass Coast can become a Cycling Destination of global significance, with a range of truly sustainable cost effective recreational, commercial and daily transport options for locals, Holiday Homeowners and tourists alike, bringing truly sustainable Green Tourism to the Shire all year round.   A vision, this Vison, isn’t a dream.   It’s a reality, if we want it to be.  The only requirements are a handful of passionate community volunteers, commitment to a long project and the loud support of local cyclists.

 

From a Vision to a Reality 

The future I outlined won’t achieve itself.   These are the steps I will take to make it happen.

• I will organize a Cycling Summit, an online event which will be Livestreamed and enable anyone with an interest to feed in their own ideas.   Through this process we will develop a Cycling Strategy

• I will submit this Cycling Plan to Council Staff for relevant advice in relation to relevant standards, integration with existing Policy, Costings and related matters. 

• Council Staff will then prepare a report which, along with the Plan, will then be submitted to Council for consideration and adoption.

• While the report is being prepared, I will call for volunteers to establish a Bass Coast Peak Cycling Advisory Group to commence the work of identifying routes for new pathways and organizing local volunteers to monitor existing pathways for defects and arranging repairs when needed.

• If Council adopts the Plan – which will depend on loud, assertive, continual lobbying of all the Councillors - then their HR Unit can commence the process of creating the Bass Coast Trailbuilders Team.

• Upon adoption of the Plan I will seek the support of the Council to commence negotiations with Vinfast for access to the Proving Grounds.