Design & Placement FAQs
Design & Placement
Why is the City and Department of Transport designing a bike path on Drake Street, Evans Place and Hester Street?
The City and the Department of Transport are jointly funding this project through the Western Australian Bicycle Network Grant Program to deliver a safe cycling route that connects the Bayswater Train Station with the Morley Activity Centre. The project aligns with the State Government’s Long-Term Cycle Network Plan that aims to link parks, schools, community facilities and transport services, and make cycling a convenient and viable option.
Why is a new (bike) path required?
A dedicated path is important to cyclists due to the variety of speeds a cyclist can achieve. Where possible it is desirable to maintain a completely different path for pedestrians however, in some locations however it is not physically possible to have both bike path and foot path and this becomes a signed Shared Path.
It is difficult to have all the desired infrastructure in the road reserve considering the road, services (especially lighting and power with above ground poles), parking and trees. Therefore design plans are required to achieve the greater goal of a dedicated bike path.
Why have Drake Street, Evans Place and Hester Street been chosen as the best fit for this path?
Drake Street was mentioned in the 2014 Local Bike Plan as an integral part of future planning on the Morley City growth plan. “..... it does not carry significant traffic volumes as it runs parallel to Coode Street and generally provides only local access to schools, parks, residential and recreational uses. This corridor has been recommended as a key long term route serving Morley and Bayswater through the Morley City Centre structure plan.
Drake Street provides a direct link to connect the Bayswater Train Station and the Morley Bus Depot/Galleria, plus has road reserve ‘space’ to design a predominantly dedicated 2.5m path.
Why is it important to provide bike path infrastructure in the City?
The Department of Transport is working with local government authorities to deliver a plan across metropolitan Perth which will connect up a network of bike-friendly routes - known as the Long-term Cycle Network.
This includes connections within the local government area to sport, recreation and shopping precincts and importantly to public transport nodes. It will also link to the larger network (to principal shared paths) that connect to larger urban centres and places of work and to natural resources such as the river.
How have residents been consulted on the Bike Path project?
In partnership with the Department of Transport, the City has prepared a high level plan that shows the overall design and location of the Drake Street, Evans Place and Hester Street Cycle Path. The plan takes into account a range of complex engineering constraints while attempting to minimise the impact on residents.
In November 2022, the City door knocked residents along the proposed route to show them the plan. Stakeholders had an opportunity to ask any questions and find out more about the project. The City will write to owners of properties who do not live at the address but are directly impacted by the construction of the cycle path. All feedback has been collated and presented to Council.
Where will the bike path be located on the verge?
Generally, the path will be 2.5m wide and placed behind the kerb. In some situations, the alignment has been changed to avoid mature trees.
Will the road require narrowing to accommodate the path?
Yes. In the Drake Street section and on Hester Rd, the path requires 0.6m to be taken from the road narrowing it from 7.4m to 6.8m (on non-bus route sections). The section on Drake Street between Burnside Street and Copley Street will be narrowed to 6.0m. This is undertaken to centre the path away from trees on the verge as far away as possible.
Narrowing the road generally creates a lower speed environment.
How wide will the bike path be?
The proposed path is termed a secondary path and will have a width of 2.5m.
This is consistent with the Department of Transport’s design guidelines for shared and separated paths. It ensures sufficient space for multiple path users to coexist on the path safely. This is important given that there are many vulnerable path users (parents with prams, people with disabilities etc.), as well as the increasing numbers of people on e-bikes and other e-rideables increasing the risk of potential conflict when passing.
What colour will the bike path be?
The path will be coloured a terracotta red with white pedestrian/cycle symbols, edge lines and directional signs.
Why does the path change sides of the street?
A detailed survey of obstacles like poles, trees, services, bus shelters, longitudinal section (crests and sight lines), and grade (steepness) dictated the alignment.
The alignment takes these into account and provides the best option.
Why does the design alternate between a shared path and a separated bike/pedestrian path?
In some locations it is not physically possible to have both bike path and foot path and this becomes a signed Shared Path.
It is difficult to have all the desired infrastructure in the road reserve considering the road, services (especially lighting and power with above ground poles), parking and trees which is why the path changes sides. Therefore, design plans are required to achieve the greater goal of a dedicated bike path.
Who is funding the construction of the Bike Path.
The City and the Department of Transport are jointly funding (50-50) this project through the Western Australian Bicycle Network Grant Program.