A greenway is a cycle and walking path that provides better and safer linkages for people with their home, workplace, school and community open spaces.

Greenways provide walking and cycling passageways for communities. They have dedicated shared pedestrian and cycle pathways, signalised pedestrian crossings across key arterial roads and connect with suitably treated suburban streets.

Overview

The 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide proposes walking and cycling passageways along major transport corridors to improve access to activity centres, public transport nodes and to maintain, extend and improve Adelaide’s Bikedirect network.

The State Government is investing $12 million over four years towards the construction of these dedicated cycling and walking routes, known as greenways, across Adelaide.

Benefits of building greenways

Cycling and walking have many social and environmental benefits for South Australians and greenways are designed to encourage this activity.

Cycling in particular contributes to a number of targets in South Australia’s Strategic Plan including economic and environmental sustainability, health, wellbeing and equity.

Each year, the State Government in partnership with local government, delivers a range of cycling-focussed programs to make riding bikes safer and easier for the State’s 450,000 cyclists.

Environment

Environmental impacts from the project have been, and continue to be, carefully managed throughout all phases, from planning through to construction. When impacts on native vegetation are unavoidable, the department will offset vegetation removals via new plantings and environmental work mitigation measures. In addition when constructing new pavement, the department is using recycled materials when possible.

Working with the community

There is ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including local government and community groups, throughout the program of works.

The engagement process begins prior to the start of each individual project and continues throughout the life of the project. Letters, media releases, advertisements, emails, phone calls and meetings are all potential modes of communication.

The department is committed to providing stakeholders, such as local government and community groups, with timely and relevant information to encourage open communication and cooperation between all parties, which will ultimately contribute to the project’s success.