Cyclists are a step closer to being able to ride between the city and beach on a dedicated path after Newcastle council began a $3.1 million project linking Merewether and The Junction.
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Stage one of a cycleway planned to run from Hunter Street to Merewether beach includes the construction of a 1.1-kilometre bi-directional shared path on Watkins and Coane streets, and upgrades to stormwater drains and road infrastructure.
But it could also include a reduced speed limit for road users with Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes saying on Thursday the council was considering reducing the limit along the route after the recent implementation of the city's first 30km/h limit on Honeysuckle Drive, Wharf Road and Shortland Esplanade.
That stretch of road is one of only a handful of locations in NSW to have a 30km/h limit and was introduced when a short on-road cycleway was opened on Honeysuckle Drive in August.
"We're actually in discussions now, with the community, about the 30km/h speed zones," she said.
"The speed coming down to 30km/h is a matter for Transport for NSW, but we do have community feedback that is very, very supportive of that. There's a large amount of international research that shows that drop, from 40 to 30, can actually improve the potential to save lives if there is an incident in those areas between a cyclist and a motor vehicle."
The council voted in September to provide "in-principle support" for a 30km/h limit on Watkins Street between Glebe Road and John Parade, and on parts of John Parade and Berner Street, on the basis community consultation would be carried out. The existing limits are either 40 or 50km/h.
Asked about negative feedback about the 30km/h limit on the harbour and beachside roads, Cr Nelmes said the Merewether to The Junction route was "not necessarily a commuter run" and featured two schools.
The stage one project was brought forward into the council's 2020/21 works program and recently attracted $600,000 in state funding. The 1.1-kilometre path is expected to open mid-2021.
Stage two between The Junction and city centre is still in planning but is earmarked to run along Corlette and Auckland streets.
Cr Nelmes said expanding the city's cycleways network was one of the council's "priority projects" and the path would be "an improvement in the future of our city".
"The start of construction is an important step towards the completion of the overall city centre to Merewether beach cycleway project, which will provide a first-class route between the inner city and one of our most popular beaches," she said.
