Help steer bike policy with draft plan

KNOX residents can have their say on bicycle paths and lanes, with the council releasing its draft bicycle plan for public consultation.
The community and Knox Bicycle Committee were surveyed in the first review of the bicycle plan in seven years.
Councillor Mick Van de Vreede said the review brought the council up to date on the changing needs of cyclists.
“We’ve seen more housing developments in the area, the emergence of climate change and soaring petrol prices — factors that have all put sustainable transport into sharp focus,” he said.
At the council’s 13 May Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Cr Van de Vreede said the bicycle was a very important mode of transport.
“We aim to improve the sustainability of our community as well as the health and wellbeing of our community,” he said.
Cr Van de Vreede said the council hoped the bicycle plan would reduce car dependency and promote active and healthy lifestyles in Knox.
“We have an ambitious but achievable target of ensuring that by 2013, 1.5 per cent of all work trips in Knox are via bicycle and 30 per cent of students ride to school at least once a month,” he said.
He said the development of local bike trails and more bicycle lanes would be part of the plan to provide effective bike routes to activity centres, workplaces and recreation reserves.
The community can comment on the draft plan until 20 June.
A report on the submissions will be presented at the council’s July meeting.
The draft Bicycle Plan can be viewed at www.knox.vic.gov.au.