HURSTVILLE Council is investigating the possibility of creating more bike parking in the local government area.
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The council is acting on a request from councillor Michelle Stevens, who said bike parking was becoming a problem in the area as the number of bike riders grew.
"Just like drivers of cars, if a cyclist can't easily find parking, they are less likely to frequent local shops and amenities," she said.
"Bike parking is inexpensive and space efficient, meaning the provision of bike parking need not impact motor vehicle parking nor cost much money."
Cr Stevens said at most of the locations mentioned (see box) there was ample free car parking.
"The distance from those pre-existing bike racks to shops vary; however, more often than not, they are located further away from shops compared with available car parking," she said.
"A rough estimate indicates there are fewer than 100 bike parking facilities in the entire LGA.
"Hurstville LGA has lower than average car ownership (on a per household basis), so the provision of parking infrastructure appears to poorly cater for the diversity of transport options available to the community."
Racks few and far between
Cr Stevens said that according to residents’ research, the following locations lacked sufficient bike parking:
- Penshurst station: no bike racks.
- Penshurst shops: one bike rack (capacity two bikes).
- Mortdale shops: one bike rack (capacity two bikes).
- Oatley West shops: one bike rack (capacity two bikes).
- Hurstville Library: one older-style bike rack, not suitable for modern bikes
- Hurstville station: one larger bike rack which is always full, meaning bike riders tether their bikes to a nearby railing.
- Coles Oatley West: one bike rack in a dangerous spot on the lower parking level.
- Oatley station: two old bike racks.
What do you think about availability of bike racks in Hurstville? What more could the council do?