Have Your Say About The New Cycleway

Monday, 02 November 2009 20:02

The long-term vision is to have an off-road cycleway from Palm Cove to Gordonvale. Cyclists will be pleased to know that the first 6 kilometres of this 4 metre wide, two way path is currently being planned and construction will commence by March next year. The route will run on the eastern side of the Cook Highway, south over Saltwater Creek, around into Airport Drive, then via the northern end of Lake St to the Esplanade. There are a number of "hotspots" about which we need feedback. For example, there will be an impact on parking outside the businesses situated north of Airport Drive. In this economic climate, the last thing that Council wants to do is adversely impact businesses so Council officers will work with owners to explore options in this area.  Does Council need to create additional parking spaces at the southern end of the industrial area?  Should the cycle path go behind the businesses or on the western side of the highway? We are also determined to ensure that there will be no impact on the safety of children and families accessing Muddie's Playground; and we will work to ensure the minimal loss of trees along the route. In some places the cycleway will split around significant trees; in other places, there are coconut palms and small melaleucas which may need to be sacrificed, but they will be replaced with substantial off-setting plantings. Unfortunately, the people who have not come to terms with the creation of cycling lanes in McLeod St have also been publicly critical of the cycleway proposal. Bicycle sales have surpassed car sales for the past 8 years but many people will not ride to work because they cannot do so safely on our roads. Council and the Dept of Transport are moving (not as quickly as many cyclists would like) to remedy this, get more people out of cars and onto their bikes and ensure the safety of cyclists. Check it out at: http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/content/communityEngagement/Cairns_Cycleway.htm and send any comments, suggestions or ideas to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before Friday 13 November 2009.