Principal Cycle Network Plan Far North Queensland Principal Cycle Network Plan Far North Queensland Contents 6. Supporting state and regional targets 7 Part 1 - The Plan 7. Background studies 8 1. Introduction 2 Demographic characteristics 8 Planning context 2 Journey to work travel patterns 8 Principal cycle networks 2 Regional growth 8 Purpose of this plan 2 Sport and recreational cycling 8 Why support cycling? 2 Visitors 8 2. What is a principal cycle network 3 Untapped demand 8 Network principles 3 8. Different types of cyclists 9 Network infrastructure 3 Types of principal cycle networks 3 9. Community and stakeholder consultation 10 3. How this plan was developed 4 What you told us 10 This plan has been prepared by Process 4 the Department of Transport and 10. Identifying the network 11 Consultation 4 Main Roads. Existing local cycle strategies and network plans 11 Network 4 The study team acknowledges Cycle destinations 11 Maps 4 the contribution of Cardno Eppell Cycle network maps 11 Olsen in developing this plan. Study area 4 11. Implementation 12 4. Objectives and challenges 5 Cycling in far north Queensland 5 12. Getting the wheels in motion 17 2006 cycle to work 5 Objectives 5 13. References 17 Challenges 5 Part 2 - Network maps 18 5. Related policies and plans 6 Map index 19 Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland 6 Published November 2009 Maps 20-42 Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 6 Far North Queensland Infrastructure Plan 2009–2031 6 Appendix A - Network priorities 43 Queensland Cycle Strategy 2003 6 Appendix B - Link concepts and concept designs 46 Image of bicycle on front cover courtesy of Cycling on State Controlled Roads 2004 6 Tourism Queensland. Contact information 71 Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads i Part 1 The plan Introduction 2 What is a principal cycle network 3 How this plan was developed 4 Objectives and challenges 5 Related policies and plans 6 Supporting state and regional targets 7 Background studies 8 Different types of cyclists 9 Community and stakeholder consultation 10 Identifying the network 11 Implementation 12 Getting the wheels in motion! 17 Principal Cycle Network Plan Far North Queensland 1. Introduction The Queensland Government recognises the value of cycling and is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage higher rates of cycling across the state. Cycling has an important role in advancing the Queensland Government’s vision for a Queensland that is Healthy and Green by helping to meet targets to cut obesity and reduce our carbon footprint by one third under Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland. Planning context Principal cycle networks Purpose of this plan Why support cycling? The Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North A principal cycle network plan identifies existing This plan aims to guide coordinated delivery of Cycling benefits the whole community. Cycling Providing better facilities to encourage more Queensland is the second plan of its kind to be and future high order cycle routes that make up a safe and connected network of principal cycle is an energy efficient mode of transport that cycling helps realise these benefits and more. developed in the state and the first for regional the regional cycle network. routes across far north Queensland to promote responds to serious global issues such as For example, providing wider road shoulders Queensland. cycling as a convenient, sustainable and healthy climate change, oil vulnerability, affordable living decreases the likelihood of all vehicle accidents These routes function as the arterial roads or way to travel and enjoy the region. and obesity. and reduces the cost of road maintenance. It is also the first principal cycle network plan to highways of the cycle network and connect major be recognised in a statutory land use plan – the destinations within towns and throughout the The plan is not a guide to cycling in the region, The benefits of cycling include: Far North Queensland region. but rather a guide for planning and investment in å reduced air pollution Regional Plan 2009–2031. regionally significant cycling infrastructure. Investing in cycling Routes that serve only local å lower road congestion The Far North Queensland is an investment in functions, such as from Implementation of the plan will also support Regional Plan 2009–2031 a residential estate to a regional economic development through the å improved physical and mental health includes a land use policy healthy, sustainable nearby primary school, are promotion of cycle tourism and better community å lower personal transport costs (8.2.9) for progressive and liveable not generally included in a health through the promotion of physical activity. implementation of the principal cycle network plan. å more compact and space efficient urban principal cycle network communities. design. through cooperation between state agencies, local government and the private sector. Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads 2 Principal Cycle Network Plan Far North Queensland 2. What is a principal cycle network? Principal cycle routes are the highest order routes in the overall cycle network Network principles Types of principal cycle functioning like arterial roads or highways for cyclists. A set of network principles were developed to help describe and identify principal routes for the draft principal cycle The principal cycle network for The principal cycle network for network routes network for far north Queensland. far north Queensland will : far north Queensland will not : Two types of routes are identified for the The network principles and identified routes were then reviewed and refined through Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North community and stakeholder workshops and broader public consultation. The network å be continuous and interconnected across å include cycle routes that only serve a local Queensland. Principal routes and iconic principles and types of routes are summarised as follows. local government areas function recreation routes are defined by the network å connect key existing and future cycle origins å include long diversions to overcome principles and cater to different types of and destinations including activity centres, constraints unless there are significant safety cyclists. Both types are further defined on employment nodes, regional attractions, concerns the maps as either ‘existing’ or ‘future’ based transport interchanges, major education å identify mountain biking routes and on local knowledge and cyclist experience precincts and residential areas facilities1. gathered during the community workshops held å be easily accessed from residential areas by throughout the region. Where parallel routes are potential principal existing and future local cycle networks Generally, routes labelled as existing have been cycle network routes, the route serving the identified in community workshops as having å be generally provided within road corridors most appropriate land uses will be identified in some form of cycle facility. Further investigation the Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North å utilise other corridors where desirable, such is required along those routes marked as existing Queensland. as disused rail corridors to determine whether the route currently meets å provide the most direct routes between safety standards and adequately provides for destinations Network infrastructure different types of cyclists. Routes labelled as ‘future’ are not known to have any cycle facilities. å cater for short and long distance cycle trips There is no single infrastructure solution for the å provide loop routes to enable round trips principal cycle network. which are interesting and more attractive to some cyclists The type of infrastructure required for principal cycle routes will be determined on a case-by- å include iconic recreational routes with coastal case basis and subject to further planning with trails and highland trails to support cycle respect to the conditions on the route and the tourism types of cyclists most likely to use the route. For å address major barriers to cycling such as example, a route serving mainly children might steep grades and river crossings. require an off-road path while on other routes on- road cycle lanes might be more appropriate. 1 Mountain biking facilities cater to a specific group of cyclists and are generally provided through sport and recreation projects. Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads 3 Principal Cycle Network Plan Far North Queensland 3. How this plan was developed The Department of Transport and Main Roads started developing the Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland in 2007. Current and former local government areas in far north Queensland Process Network The plan was developed through background The principal cycle network identified for far investigations into cycle demand and north Queensland features two types of routes: opportunities, a review of existing local Principal routes: These routes connect key government cycle strategies and network plans destinations throughout the region. and consultation with local governments, state agencies, bicycle user groups, community groups Iconic recreation routes: These routes cater for and individuals. longer distance cycle touring, highlighting both coastal and highland scenic opportunities. Consultation Maps Eight community workshops were held across Atherton, Cairns, Innisfail