Consulting with Council on the Shared Path Network and Local Road Network of on-road bike lanes: Have you tried the bike lanes on Welsford St, Knight St, Balaclava Rd or Archer St? The list is expanding!
Lobbying for improved bike parking facilities around shopping centres: Have you ridden your bike to the shops and found some good bike parking rails? We hope so!
Identifying and lobbying for many small improvements such as short sections of shared paths and elimination of hazards, that make cycling safer, easier and more enjoyable: Riding on the shared paths around Shepparton means that recreational and young cyclists don't have to compete with car traffic and that has to be good!
Verney Rd Missing Link
Heading north out Verney Rd past Graham St cyclists on the shared path had to cross over to the east side of the road for about 100 metres and then cross a narrow bridge which they had to dismount as it was not shared path regulation width and then cross back over the road to the west side. The issue is that a short section of land on the east side is privately owned. The council has now secured a 5 year lease on this land so the path can now link straight through over a wider bridge. However there will be a short section of gravel on the leased land. The rest of the path will be in concrete and the railing on the bridge will be upgraded to meet current standards. A short section of path has already been completed up to the bridge as shown in photo looking south.
Spread the Word
Kids grow up with bikes, the excitement of a newfound mobility! Reaching adulthood is marked by the much-anticipated gaining of a driver's licence and a new sense of independence and mobility. This is usually when the bike is put in the garage to gather rust and cobwebs.
Some of us perhaps have an experience of cycling on an organised tour, which re-ignites our childhood excitement and pleasure and expands our view of the potential of the bike as a MEANS OF TRANSPORT. The next logical step is to find a way of enjoying cycling more often. Some of us join touring clubs, some take up racing and others commute to work. It's then natural to ask "Why aren't more people discovering the benefits of cycling?"
One answer is "They are." There are more organised rides, more tracks and more people cycling (Spend ten minutes at the back of the lake on a Sunday morning and count the cyclists). Another answer, however, is that cycling is perceived by the majority to be a dangerous activity practiced by students (who can't afford a car) or eccentric characters.
Politicians are just realising that cycling has many long-term health benefits for an aging population. However, in the eyes of many road engineers (thankfully less so than previously), cyclists don't exist! It takes experience and sophistication to design for ALL road-users. We hope one day, cyclists will have a presence that cannot be ignored; a political voice, and a physical presence on our roads.
YOU can add to the physical presence by getting out there and riding, and the political presence by supporting Greater Shepparton BUG and writing and talking to political representatives at all levels. Joining Bicycle Victoria is a great first step in assisting with Cycling Advocacy. Another step is to join Greater Shepparton BUG and to encourage others to do the same.
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News Added 17/11/2008 by daryl 
