By Bruce Wardley
CYCLISTS at Cape Paterson have had enough of the potholes, broken asphalt and lack of a decent bike path on the road to Wonthaggi.
“There are a lot of potholes on the verge to Wonthaggi,” said local resident Rob Cowan.
“I wouldn’t ride on some of the roads; they badly need improving.”
Rob loves riding from Cape Paterson to Kilcunda.
“They need to spend money to extend the Inverloch pathway to Cape Paterson. Cape Paterson cyclists can’t connect to Inverloch.”
Margaret and Robert McIntosh, also from Cape Paterson, say the current condition of the existing bike track alongside the road between Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson is not adequate to meet the needs of cyclists and pedestrians.
“The track has eroded edges, and repairs conducted on the road sometimes result in debris from pothole maintenance spilling onto the bike track,” said Margaret. “Additionally, vegetation is encroaching onto the track, affecting its usability.”
Another new Cape Paterson resident, Sally Bird, said there was wide community support for a bike track linking Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cape Paterson.
“I feel very unsafe riding on the road from Cape Paterson to Wonthaggi as opposed to a bike track,” said Sally. “I’ve only done it once and wouldn’t do it again.”
Council explained to Sally, the new shared pathway, under construction between Wonthaggi and Inverloch, goes across farmland to Inverloch.
“How short-sighted,” said Sally. “If they brought it to Cape Paterson it would cater for eco-friendly bike users. What we want is a direct route between Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi and Inverloch. It would be an absolutely stunning bike ride.”
Nathalie Charles and Alec Stewart, who ride regularly at Cape Paterson, agree the road from Cape to Wonthaggi is dangerous.
“You’re totally exposed to cars, although the 80 km/h speed limit is helpful,” said Alec.
Nathalie recently fell from her bike while riding to Wonthaggi for the bike to be serviced.
“I was lucky I fell into the ditch onto soft grass,” said Nathalie still shaken. “I fell into the shoulder of the road rather than onto the bitumen.”
Rob admitted that acquiring land to construct a new purpose-built track or extend the new track from Wonthaggi to
Inverloch may present challenges and could be impractical.
One suggestion, said Rob, was to resurface the entire section of road from Wonthaggi to Cape and restore the current track so that it was suitable for use by cyclists.
“Alternatively, re-marking the lines and increasing the width of the bike track could allow for two-way riding or walking on a shared track.
“Additional safety features, such as a safety rail or cable, could also be considered.”
Another option, according to Rob, would be to use the back road (Wilsons Road) from Cape Paterson, which connects to the main road.
“This adjustment could direct bikes and walkers away from the main road for part of the route and could have a pebble mix surface like other bike trails.
Rob noted that the current speed limit on Wilsons Road is 100 km/h compared to the main road, where the speed limit is now set at 80 km/h.
Alec noted that he used Wilsons Road occasionally.
“Sealing it could turn it into a main road,” said Alec.
Alec has also used the road from Harmers Haven, but it’s twice the distance.
Sally said when she moved to Cape Paterson some years ago, she loved the idea of being able to cycle between Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson.
“They could remake the road with a double pathway on one side.
“It’s currently poorly maintained and full of potholes.
“E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, so a bike track would be well used.”
