We're working to create a more connected and bike-friendly Wollongong by prioritising how we invest in our cycling network.
The Cycling Network Plan supports the delivery of our Wollongong Cycling Strategy 2030. It is also shaped by state and local government policies to make sure our cycling projects support wider planning goals across NSW.
The plan helps guide our Infrastructure Delivery Program (IDP) and identifies where funding should go to design, build and maintain our city's cycling infrastructure. This includes bike paths, shared paths, low speed streets and intersections.
New projects that are added to our IDP are publicly exhibited each year. We also consult the community about individual cycling infrastructure projects through the Our Wollongong website.
Explore the map below to see the cycling network routes Council is planning to work on over the next 10 years. We are regularly reviewing and updating these plans as community needs change and new opportunities come up.
Review of cycling network
To help shape the Cycling Network Plan, we reviewed each route using the following criteria to make sure it meets our community's needs now and into the future:
Community engagement | Feedback we've gathered from the community about our cycling strategy | |
Topography | How terrain affects rider comfort and accessibility | |
Population and employment | Where people live, move and work, and different types of trips | |
Points of interest | Key locations along each route, including public transport stations, schools, local centres, tourism attractions (such as beaches and mountain bike parks), and areas of cultural significance | |
Safety | Crash history and zones with current or future potential for conflict | |
Environmental factors | Traffic volumes, speed limits, and the presence of heavy vehicles, all of which affect rider comfort and safety |
As we continue to regularly review and update the Cycling Network Plan, we'll consider the above criteria and the design principles below.
Design principles
The design principles below guide how we plan for and prioritise investment in safe, accessible, and well-connected cycling routes for all riders across our city.
Each route in our network has been assessed based on how well it meets these principles.
Ensure that bicycle riders and other road users are provided with safe facilities
Infrastructure is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of safety.
Considerations include:
- Do cyclists interact with motorised traffic?
- Is infrastructure physically separated from the road?
- What are the traffic speeds and volumes?
- How are sight lines along the route?
- How visible are cyclists in nighttime conditions?
- What are the potential conflicts with other users?
Enable bicycle riders to reach their destinations easily via routes that are connected across the network.
Each route is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of directness.
Considerations include:
- Time (effort) and distance
- Can riders maintain momentum?
- Are rider movements prohibited by motor traffic?
- Does this help people get where they need to go more directly?
Enable bicycle riders to reach their destinations easily via routes that are connected across the network.
Each route is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of connectivity.
Considerations include:
- Does this improve the connectivity of the local network?
- Does the connectivity push riders into dangerous situations?
Deliver safe and attractive surroundings that help to deliver well-designed public spaces.
Each route is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of attractiveness.
Considerations include:
- What is the tree canopy cover on the route like?
- Does the route go through quality open public space?
- Are there any amenities along the route?
- Is there any public artwork?
- Is the rider likely to be intimidated by the route?
Ensure that riders of all ages and abilities can ride at a speed they are comfortable.
Each route is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of comfort.
Considerations include:
- Are users separated from motor vehicles?
- Is the infrastructure wide enough?
- Is there minimal stopping and starting?
- How steep is the gradient of the road?
- Is there much noise and pollution?
Incorporate flexibility in design to accommodate changes in user needs and demand over time.
Each route is assessed as having either a high, medium or low level of adaptability.
Considerations include:
- How well does the section / segment fit with other parts of the network in the surrounding area?
- Is the section / segment able to support future growth?
Types of cycling facilities
The cycling network includes different types of facilities that support bike riding as a mode of transport.
- Keeps bikes separated from both motorists and pedestrians
- Offers a high level of service and safety to bicycles and other micromobility devices, like scooters, wheelchairs and tricycles
- Suits a higher volume of cyclists than shared paths.
- Keeps bikes separated from both motorists and pedestrians
- Offers a high level of service and safety to bicycles and other micromobility devices, like scooters, wheelchairs and tricycles
- Suits a higher volume of cyclists than shared paths
- Safer to navigate intersections with local streets and at traffic facilities such as traffic signals, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings than a two-way bicycle path.
- Bikes are separated from motorists, but share space with pedestrians
- Offers a lower level of service and safety to bicycle riders compared to one- or two-way bicycle paths
- Not suitable for locations with high pedestrian activity or active street frontages.
- Bikes are separated from pedestrians, but share space with motorists
- Features road changes like different pavement types and linemarking, traffic calming measures and reduced speed limit
- Ideal speed limit of 30km/h or lower
- Suitable for local streets with low traffic volumes.
- Cyclists, motorists and pedestrians all share space
- Pedestrians have right of way at all times in shared zones
- Features road changes like different pavement types and linemarking, traffic calming measures and reduced speed limit
- Speed limit of 10km/h
- Suitable for areas with high pedestrian activity or low traffic volumes.
To learn about how we plan for other types of bike riding, like closed circuits, pump tracks, mountain bike trails and more, please see our Planning for Cycling page.
How we design cycling facilities
All cycling infrastructure in Wollongong is designed to meet Australian and New Zealand Standards. This keeps our facilities safe and consistent across the network.
We also follow these two key design guides:
Grass, plants and trees
Council maintains grass, plants and trees in public spaces around the cycling network to keep them safe and accessible.
For parts of the cycling network that are next to private land, we encourage those land owners to maintain grass, trees and plants to help keep pathways clear and neat.
If you notice a problem with overgrown trees, grass or plants on public land near a cycling path, please report it to Council.
Community feedback
As we plan new bike-friendly projects, we talk with the community to get your ideas and feedback.
Keep an eye on the Our Wollongong website for your chance to help shape future cycling-related projects and strategies.