The BCNA supports the upgrade of the Garden City shared path to improve connections for bike riders and make Beacon Road and Swallow Street safer for all users. Our earlier item included a map showing the route.
The Garden City shared path is used by parents taking children to and from the Port Melbourne Primary School. It is particularly dangerous where pedestrians join the central path from Beacon Vista and Edina Close, as the warning signs that pedestrians are joining a shared path are poor. Garden City Reserve is a dog off leash area, so the scope for accidents with dogs and cyclists is high.
We continue to have concerns for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using all shared paths in Beacon Cove. There have already been accidents and ‘near misses’ and we think this will become greater as more cyclists use these paths.
The BCNA has discussed our concerns with Gateway Ward councillors. Unfortunately, no improvements are in immediate prospect. The City of Port Phillip (Council) officers are proposing that Council’s Transport Safety team will monitor use of the Garden City shared path once the upgrade has been completed. We hope they monitor the other shared paths as well.