Safe Cycling Connection: central to north Torquay

Community consultation helped identify Fischer Street as the preferred long-term route for this connection, with safe road links to Deep Creek and The Esplanade.

This feedback came from the community survey, which was completed by 212 people and a panel workshop of 35 people, which included residents, cyclists and representatives from a local school, bus company and Victoria Police.

Council officers will now seek funding opportunities for cycle safety improvement works along this route over the coming months and years.

The exact details of these proposed works - such as road treatments and any potential impacts on some car parking - are not yet known.

Funding opportunities available will help determine what works are considered.

A variety of road treatment options could be used, which range from simply upgrading intersections to help separate bikes and cars, to more extensive works such as installing separated bike lanes.

We will engage with directly affected residents prior to any proposed changes being made to the streetscape as part of this project.

At this stage, there is no timeframe for this project as funding is yet to be sought, and it is likely to be staged across multiple years.

As a separate project, we have secured funding for some road safety improvement works in this area, which are planned for mid to late 2024. These works will help support safer cycling on the Fischer Street corridor in the short-term until a long-term solution is funded. 

The road safety works listed below are separate to the Torquay cycling connection project, however given they are relevant to residents and cyclists, we have included them here. These works are part of our Road Safety Strategy and in response to accident data. We will communicate with directly impacted residents about these works before construction starts.

How did Council decide that Fischer Street is the preferred route?

Community consultation helped identify Fischer Street as the preferred long-term route for this connection, with safe links to Deep Creek and The Esplanade.

This feedback came from the community survey in July 2023, which was completed by 212 people and a panel workshop of 35 people in August 2023, which included residents, cyclists and representatives from a local school, bus company and Victoria Police.

Safety is our top priority as there have been five injury crashes along Fischer Street over the last five years involving bike riders, a number of these accidents have involved school children.

What will the cycling connection look like?

It’s not yet known.  Now that we have determined that Fischer Street is the preferred long-term route, officers will seek funding opportunities for cycle safety improvements along this route over the coming months and years.  These funding opportunities will help determine what works are considered. 

A variety of road treatment options could be used, which range from simply upgrading intersections to help separate bikes and cars, to more extensive works such as installing separated bike lanes.

The types of treatment options considered will depend on funding opportunities that become available.

Are you removing any on-street car parking spaces on Fischer Street to make room for bike lanes?

At this stage, no decision has been made to remove any on-street car parking on Fischer Street.   

The exact details of the cycling connection – such as types of road treatments and any potential impacts on some car parking – are not yet known.

When will we know what works are happening?

There is currently no timeframe for this project as funding is yet to be sought, and it is likely to be staged across multiple years.

Will you let residents know about proposed works before they happen?

Yes, we will engage with directly-impacted residents before any proposed changes are made to the streetscape as part of this project.

How can I keep up to date on what is happening with this project?

Via this project webpage.

With Torquay’s growing population, we want to make it safer and easier for people of all ages to ride to school, shops, services, parks, sports facilities, houses and other places. This helps reduce traffic congestion, encourages healthy, active lifestyles and is better for our environment. 

Safety is our top priority as there have been five injury crashes along Fischer Street over the last five years involving bike riders, a number of these accidents have involved school children. 

This project is a key action in Council's Safer Cycling Strategy and Action Plan and is part of our climate emergency response.