Bike bells ring, are you listening?

Image: Bulli Park, Bike Track.

Last month, we took up the challenge to design and build new local bike tracks in Bulli, West Dapto and Fairy Meadow. Now the tools have been put away and we’re excited to announce that all three new bike tracks are open in time for Christmas!

This ambitious project saw three new dirt-tracks built in different suburbs around our city to offer opportunities for young riders to improve their skills. Each local track was built near existing illegal bike tracks, which were made by enthusiastic riders, and we sought community input for each of the track concepts before starting work.

“Thanks to the support of our community, we were able to build great local bike tracks that are safer and better than the illegal tracks that cause damage to sensitive environments,” Wollongong City Council Director Infrastructure + Works Joanne Page said.

“This was an ambitious and innovative project that was made possible by the enthusiasm and input of our community. What we hope to see in the next few months is community members, especially younger riders, take responsibility and pride in these new tracks and not only enjoy riding them but help to maintain them and their surrounds.

“Although the new bike tracks have only been in the ground for a couple of weeks, we’ve already seen plenty of local bike riders lining up to take a turn on the track. There’s a lot of enthusiasm and respect for the new bike tracks with lots of people of all ages already making getting on the bike and checking these projects out. It’s rewarding for the staff who worked on this project to see such support and interest from our younger riders.

“It’s going to be a great summer for younger riders now that these new local tracks are complete and ready to go alongside the recently completed Cringila Hills Bike Trails, as well as the pop-up cycling routes linking public transport links to our foreshore areas. Council is proud to be able to provide great cycling options for people of all abilities to enjoy as part of our commitment as an international Bike City.”

All three tracks are now open for use at:

• Anama Street, Fairy Meadow – Open and ready to go! We’ll continue to monitor the track and make ongoing improvements in the new year, as required.
• Bulli Park, Bulli – We’ve opened both the advanced and beginner tracks for people to use. We’ll continue to assess this track and will make further improvements in the new year, as required.
• Dimond Bros Reserve, West Dapto – We’ve opened this track early for those who want to ride during the summer holidays. Next year, we’ll be back on site to finish landscaping works and making some final adjustments to the tracks.

Next year, we’ll look to complete additional landscaping works, install seating and other improvements at all three bike tracks.

The tracks join the widely popular bike track that was completed late last year in Figtree’s Harry Graham Park.

“We’ve fast-tracked the bulk of the work so that we could open up the tracks before Christmas. Next year, we’ll continue to make additional improvements to the tracks and surrounding area as required," Ms Page said.

"We’ll also continue to monitor all the tracks over the coming months, and we’ll be checking in every now and then with the people who use them, to see how they are going and assess the ongoing wear and tear caused by use and wet weather.

“All of the new dirt-tracks cater to different bike riding abilities, with beginner and intermediate bike track options. That means if you’re learning to ride on a bike track, or want to develop your skills, there is really something for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information on the work Council has been doing this year to improve cycling opportunities in our community, visit our website.