Council has recently explored opportunities to expand and establish new facilities to support the growing popularity of bike sports – the more adventurous side of cycling - that includes things like mountain bike racing and trails, cyclo-cross, gravel racing and BMX.
On 20 June 2023, it endorsed the Maribyrnong Bike Sports Infrastructure Development Plan, which aims to support the growth of bike sports as a way of encouraging more people to swap four wheels for two to become physically active.
This follows a conversation with the community on the draft document last November.
The sites identified for development of bike infrastructure include Quarry Park, Yarraville Pump Track, Cranwell Park, Robert Barrett Reserve, and Braybrook Park.
Each proposed development will require further planning and community engagement prior to implementation including Quarry Park, which will undergo a comprehensive master planning process to evaluate its feasibility.
More than 220 responses were received in the form of emails, quick poll votes, and survey responses. This built upon more than 70 survey responses we received during phase one.
In terms of the proposed vision ‘Maribyrnong’s connected and diverse network of bike sports offers the community a pathway into bike sports and a life-long engagement with riding’ of the 93 visitors who answered the quick poll:
While the four strategic objectives to support bike sports in Maribyrnong were supported by the majority, there were mixed responses to the potential to further grow the sport at Quarry Park.
Of the 70 questionnaire responses, 49 supported an expansion at Quarry Park.
We’ve collated a snapshot of all the findings for your information which you can view here.
You can view the Council report and recommendations, which includes an engagement report on our website: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About-us/Council-and-committee-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes where you can also watch the discussion during the Council Meeting on 20 June 2023.
There are currently only a few places where riders can participate in these activities in Maribyrnong.
Recognising that properly planned bike sports facilities can provide significant liveability, economic, and health benefits to communities, the draft Bike Sports Infrastructure and Development Plan recommended investing in new and established infrastructure that will create pathways into bike sport activities for recreation and competition (grass roots to elite level) for more people and build a lifelong connection to bike riding.
This included:
The draft Maribyrnong Bike Sports Infrastructure and Development Plan provides further strategic support and detail to the following Council commitments under the Maribyrnong Bicycle Strategy 2020-2030 and the Stony Creek Future Directions Plan 2020:
Share your thoughts below.
Road cycling in its modern form originated in the late 19th century and has been part of the Summer Olympic Games since the Athens Olympics in 1896.
Road racing includes single-day races, individual time trails, stage races and ultra-distance cycling.
The most commonly used bicycle in road races are racing bicycles and clothing worn for road cycling is designed to improve aeordynamics and rider comfort.
Races are held off-road and involve a moderate to high degree of technical skill. Main varieties are cross-country, endure and downhill, but also 4X or four-cross racing.
Trials include riders navigating natural and man-made obstacles without putting down their foot, or ‘dabbing’ similar to motorbike trials, just pedal not petrol powered.
BMX races are sprints on purpose-built off-road single-lap tracks typically on single gear bicycles where riders navigate a direct course of jumps and banked and flat corners.
Freestyle BMX is an extreme sport of stunt riding.
Is one of the newest disciplines of bicycle racing that emerged last century. Distinguishing features of gravel racing include long distances, often 100-200 miles, and mass starts. Bikes and courses in gravel racing vary widely, from road bikes with wide tires on smooth gravel roads to bikes similar to mountain bikes used on courses that include technical trails.
Originated as a sport for road racers during their off-season, to vary their training during the cold months. Races consist of many laps of a 2-3km course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles requiring the rider to dismount, carry their bike over or around obstacles and remount in one motion. The emphasis is on the riders aerobic endurance and bike-handling skills. The first international race was held in Paris in 1924.
Council can arrange a telephone
interpreter for you on 9688 0200
TIS: 131 450
NRS: 133 677 or 1300 555 727
www.relayservice.com.au
Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:
| Name | Community Engagement Team |
|---|---|
| Phone | (03) 9688 0200 |
| communityengagement@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au | |
| Website | www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ |
