$7.6 million bike funding boost to connect Perth and regional communities

• More than $7.6 million in WA Bicycle Network grant funding shared between 63 projects across 45 local governments
• More than 50 kilometres of new cycle and pedestrian infrastructure to be delivered over two years, supporting more people to ride and walk more often

The Western Australian Government has announced a $7.6 million boost to walking and cycling paths, which will add more than 50 kilometres to the WA Bicycle Network (WABN) over the next two years.

As part of the annual WABN grants scheme, the State Government matches funding with local governments, who have successfully applied for the funding.

The grants program assists local government authorities with the planning, design and construction of bicycle infrastructure, with funding split evenly between metro and regional areas.

This funding will support 27 projects across metropolitan Perth, including a new two-kilometre link along Gilmore Avenue in the City of Kwinana and a 3.4 kilometre connection in the City of Rockingham along Ennis Avenue and Dixon Road. Both projects connect schools, tertiary institutions and recreational spaces, with the City of Rockingham project also greatly improving access to the train station.

Access to the new Glendalough Station to Hutton Street section of Principal Shared Path (PSP) currently under construction will also be improved, with the City of Vincent awarded funding to connect existing facilities along Scarborough Beach Road to the new PSP.

In the City of Kalamunda a new connection along Berkshire and Dundas roads will connect the new section of PSP being constructed between Kalamunda and Berkshire roads to the future Forrestfield Station.

Projects are also planned across the regions, from the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance all the way up to the Pilbara and Kimberley. This includes major shared path and tourist trail projects in Chittering, Manjimup and Port Hedland, all of which are more than five kilometres long and provide essential connections between town sites and key local destinations and facilities.

A new shared path following the Buayanyup Drain is also proposed in Busselton, connecting the popular foreshore and caravan park to the Wadandi Track, which is bound to be popular with locals and visitors alike.

In addition to local government infrastructure projects, funding has also been committed to continue the Your Move Connecting Schools program, which aims to improve bicycle access, wayfinding, bicycle education and end-of-trip facilities at schools.

The full list of funded projects is available at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"There are countless benefits to walking and riding, which is why the WA Government continues to add to its record funding of cycling infrastructure through the WA Bicycle Network grants scheme.

"To get more people riding more often, we need to build safe and accessible facilities, which is why we have prioritised facilities that connect communities to the primary cycle network and public transport hubs, such as Rockingham Station, Glendalough Station and the future Forrestfield Train Station.

"This year we've invested in tourist trails in Chittering and Manjimup which, in addition to connecting local towns, are also great for attracting tourists to our regional areas."

Minister's office - 6552 5500