A Tasmanian Government study into the Hobart to Sorell transport corridor is recommending new off-road and on-road cycle paths to provide more transport options on the eastern shore to connect with the Tasman Bridge and ferry trial.
The study recommends filling the gaps in the cycle network with higher standard facilities as a high priority between Tasman Bridge, Lindisfarne and Bellerive Ferry Terminal and Mornington Interchange (includes on and off-corridor paths). Specifically this would include:
- a new off-road path along the Tasman Highway
- a new off-road path connecting Tas TAFE and Warrane Primary School
- on-street cycleway on Bligh Street to Rosny Hill Road
- on-street cycleway on Bastick Street between the Foreshore Trail and Riawena Road
- on-street cycleway along Riawena Road
- on-street cycleway on Gordons Hill Road between Bligh Street and Toogood Drive.
The planning study has no funding tied to it but recommends the design of the Tasman Highway off-road path as one of the first priorities coming out of the study.
High quality on-road cycleways on the streets listed are physically possible but will require substantial funding to be able to rebuild kerbs and new paths.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Tasman-Hwy-routes.jpg)
The study authors were tasked with:
- identifying traffic congestion along the corridor and its causes
- identifying solutions, including for public transport, active transport and new infrastructure, to improve conditions particularly at peak periods
- determining benefits and impacts of solutions
- prioritising solutions.
With the government committing to new paths on the Tasman Bridge, which was identified in community consultation as the major barrier to riding, matching that with connecting paths could see a revolution in cycling on the eastern shore.
Providing a high quality, connected network of cycling paths would encourage many more people to ride, especially once the Tasman Bridge paths are rebuilt and a ferry that takes bikes is up and running.
With 91,000 cars a day (pre-COVID) travelling over the Tasman Bridge, giving eastern shore residents other options to travel will help reduce traffic congestion, improve health outcomes for people who choose to ride or walk and potentially reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
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