Off-Road Cycleways
What are we monitoring?
The length of off-road cycleways in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area that meet legal requirements.
This time series data includes pavements and paths constructed or modified by Council since 2001 with signage permitting cycling. These cycleways are physically separated from vehicular traffic and not part of a road. Virtually all of these are shared with pedestrians.
The data does not include fire trails and dirt tracks. Some off-road cycleways built recently during Highway widening are not yet showing in these records.
| Date | Length of Off-Road Cycleways (km) |
|---|---|
| June 2004 | 20.137 |
| June 2005 | 21.987 |
| June 2006 | 22.122 |
| June 2007 | 22.739 |
What is the trend?
The length of off-road cycleways has increased by 2.602 kilometres since June 2004.
Why is monitoring this trend important?
There is increased recognition that the benefits of cycling contribute to the health and well being of our communities. These benefits are: increased exercise; increased social interaction; less car use and associated reduction in environmental impacts; cheaper transport costs; reduced reliance on oil.
Provision of safe, accessible and well designed cycling infrastructure increases opportunities for people to cycle more.
Source
The data shown here is derived from Council records of its footpaths and cycleways.
Footpaths without cycleway signage are not allowed to be used by adult cyclists unless they are supervising a child cyclist under 12 years old. However, the signage details have only been consistently recorded for new or recently modified footpaths and cycleways. Therefore, footpaths without such cycleway signage are not included in this data, even if they are otherwise suitable for cycling.