Wednesday 29 April 2020
Whyalla City Council is happy to advise the community that another stage of Council’s Strategic Bike Plan is completed, with works finalised on the Ekblom Street leg of Whyalla’s bike path network.
Whyalla City Council’s Manager Roads, Tom Spirat said the community will be able to use the path immediately.
“COVID-19 has placed many restrictions on the community but one of the activities still able to be enjoyed is cycling,” said Mr Spirat.
“There are so many benefits to be had from cycling, including increased fitness and social activity, but also there are environmental and economic benefits,” he said.
The Ekblom Street bike path includes line-marking and signage and it completes a circuit, linking the recent delivery of the Heurich Terrace bike path.
The new section also links riders with the Mt Laura Homestead, Whyalla Public Library and Westlands Shopping Centre. It also provides a connection to the medical complex and government offices on Ekblom Street.
Since 2014, Council has embarked on several bike paths across the city, including: Nicolson Avenue, Broadbent Terrace and Heurich Terrace.
“There is more work to do, of course, to complete other phases of our bike plan in the coming years,” said Mr Spirat.
“It seems with our more independent aging population the use of Bicycle tracks and pathways provides a larger community benefit. I have noted already some members of the community accessing the new installation, aside from walkers, the elderly on their gophers which has directed them off a busy road into an environment which provides no risk for their personal safety and reduces the risk to motorists when gophers are on the road through no alternative safe route to travel,” said Mr Spirat.
Council is thankful for the support of the SA Government’s State Bicycle Fund for their contributions to the program.
“I encourage members of the Whyalla community to make use of these bike paths,” said Mr Spirat.