Box Hill to Ringwood Bike Path shifts up a gear

• 1.3 kilometre section of the Box Hill and Ringwood path now open
• Making it easier and safer for children to walk or ride their bikes to school
• Victorian Coalition Government moving more people, more often

A new section of the Box Hill to Ringwood Bike Path Project is now open, Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder announced today.

“The 1.3 kilometre section of the path extends from Walkers Road in Nunawading to Mitcham Road in Mitcham and includes the area around the new Mitcham Station Precinct,” Mr Mulder said.

“Once complete, the path will run within one kilometre of many schools and colleges, making it easier and safer for children to walk or ride their bikes to school.

“The path will provide an alternative transport option that will benefit the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“This new section of path has been undertaken as part of the Mitcham Level Crossing Removal Project,” Mr Mulder said.

Liberal candidate for Ringwood Dee Ryall said that once complete, the Box Hill to Ringwood Bike Path will be approximately 10 kilometres long.

“I am pleased to have worked with, and advocated for, the many interested community groups who have lobbied hard to make this shared bike path a reality,” Ms Ryall said.

“It’s a prime example of community groups working together with myself to achieve the best possible outcomes for walkers, joggers and cyclists alike.”

Member for Box Hill Robert Clark said the opening of this new section is a great step forward for the Box Hill to Ringwood Bike Path and a terrific indication of what the community can look forward to.

“The path will provide a link between the central activity areas of Box Hill and Ringwood, as well as separating cars and cyclists where possible,” Mr Clark said.

Another section of shared user path between Albert Street and Wantirna Road in Ringwood has been delivered as part of the $1.5 million Box Hill and Ringwood Cycle Connections Project, and will connect to the broader project.

Mr Mulder said the overall bike path is being constructed in sections, with each section to be opened progressively, with the majority due to be complete by early 2016. Other sections of the bike path are currently under design development.

“Funding has been committed for the Blackburn Level Crossing Removal Project, so we are now looking at how best to deliver the associated section of path in Blackburn,” Mr Mulder said.

The project is being developed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders including local councils, Metro Trains, Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure, VicTrack, Public Transport Victoria, Bicycle Network, and the Whitehorse Cyclists Incorporated.

For more information about the project, visit the VicRoads website.