Stage Four completion of the popular Amy Gillett Bikeway in the Adelaide Hills has been given the green light after $2.6M in funding was announced on Monday 12 October. Funding was secured through the hard work of Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie and South Australian Senator Stirling Griff and will allow the Bikeway to continue from Mount Torrens to Birdwood.
The Amy Gillett Foundation is delighted by the announcement which will ensure generations of South Australian cyclists and visitors to the State will have access to safe, connected off-road cycling infrastructure.
“We are thrilled by this announcement and wonderful leadership from Senator Sharkie, Senator Griff, the Federal Government and the Adelaide Hills Council,” Dan Kneipp, CEO Amy Gillett Foundation said.
The Amy Gillett Bikeway is a legacy to Australian cyclist, Amy Gillett, tragically killed while on a training ride with the Australian Women’s Cycling Team in 2005. The Bikeway is loved by many, including Amy’s parents, Mary and Denis Safe, who reside in Adelaide where Amy grew up.
“As Amy’s parents, we are very excited that Stage Four of the Amy Gillett Bikeway will go ahead. This safe and completely off-road bikeway is a wonderful legacy of Amy’s life and it provides so much pleasure to those who live in or visit the Adelaide Hills,” Mary Safe, Amy Gillett’s mum, said.
Many thanks to Rebekha’s persistence, along with the Adelaide Hills Council and the Federal Government in committing to this project,” said Mrs Safe.
The Amy Gillett Bikeway is a safe, completely off-road shared-use path for walking, cycling and horse-riding. Separated cycling infrastructure promotes uptake of cycling and active transport and can provide safe routes that connect local community hubs, schools and tourism attractions.
“Thousands use the bikeway, and it is a huge tourism drawcard for Mayo so completing Stage Four will add to the appeal of this shared-use trail,” Ms Sharkie said.
“Securing funding for the completion of Stage Four of the Bikeway is something I have been working on since I was first elected in 2016 and it is a project often raised with me by my community so I am delighted that we could secure the funding,” Ms Sharkie said.
Adelaide Hills Council Deputy Mayor Nathan Daniell says completion of the bikeway is an important step towards recovery in the region and supports the wider strategic vision for cycling in the Hills.
“Council and the community have long advocated for the completion of the Amy Gillett with this project providing another important way for our towns and community to reconnect after the Cudlee Creek Bushfire and COVID-19.”
“We know spending time outdoors and exercising is beneficial and the completion of the Amy Gillett will positively impact on the physical and mental well-being of our local community,” said Cr Daniell.
“We’ve known for decades that safety is key to cycling participation. Recent polling commissioned by AGF shows that 89% of Australians support temporary separated bike lanes, making it clear that separated cycling infrastructure is the preference for all road users,” Mr Kneipp said.
Stage One of the Amy Gillett Bikeway from Oakbank to Woodside was built on an abandoned rail corridor in 2010 by the State Government thanks to the persistent lobbying of the Adelaide Hills Rail Trail group and the local council.
Stage Two to Charleston and Stage 3 to Mount Torrens were then constructed but since 2014 work of the remainder of the planned bikeway stalled when no further monies were allocated.
“We look forward to seeing a greater investment made in other parts of the country to ensure all Australians have access to safe cycling.” Mr Kneipp said.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
