Cycling Infrastructure

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the minister update the chamber about the Malinauskas Labor government's recent investment in bicycle projects in South Australia?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for their question and interest in active transport in SA. Just yesterday, we celebrated National Ride2Work Day, which was a great reminder of the power of active transport, whether it is a family ride on the weekend or a daily commute to work.

I am proud to share that the Malinauskas government is making it a little bit easier to get on our bikes, with a $2 million investment, as we spoke about just earlier, which was made available to 18 dedicated bike projects across regional and metropolitan Adelaide. The $2 million State Bicycle Fund enables local councils to build more bike paths and lanes as well as improving existing ones, helping communities to stay active and healthy with more cycling options. These projects also make riding safer for cyclists, with wider paths for extra space to avoid collisions and new crossings to safely get to their destination.

This latest funding round will accelerate 12 construction-ready projects valued at around $1.9 million, with an additional $100,000 that will support six councils in developing plans to make future projects shovel ready and eligible for the upcoming future rounds.

Among the 18 projects we are upgrading 150 metres of the River Torrens linear trail just west of the Victoria Bridge, which will enable it to be widened to about 3.5 metres and also upgrading lighting on that path as well. We are undertaking a detailed design for the bicycle and pedestrian crossing on The Parade and constructing 530 metres of three-metre wide shared-use path along the railway corridors in Rosewater and Florence Terrace in Ottoway.

We are constructing 1.46 kilometres of three-metre wide shared-use path on Adams Road, Elizabeth Downs, and Yorktown Road in Craigmore. But this fund isn't just for the metropolitan area; we are also investing in bicycle infrastructure in regions too. Projects like The Barossa Council area are receiving funding to construct three kilometres of 2.5 metre-wide shared-use path through the disused rail corridor in Birdwood and also projects in Mount Pleasant, and construction of a 500-metre 1.5 metre-wide shoulder seal between Seagers Road and Cricks Mill Road in Mount Pleasant. We are also providing projects in Mount Gambier that will benefit their community.

I am pleased these projects will undertake either the design or construction phase during the 2025-26 financial year, meaning the benefits will be seen by the community sooner rather than later. When there is more cycling infrastructure in our communities, we know it can be a positive way to encourage people to get outdoors and be active.