The eastern side of the road has been identified in the Northern Beaches Bike Plan as the best location for the shared path due to access to the school and connections at Pitt Road and Abbott Road.

The need to widen the path on the eastern side has also been identified in the Curl Curl North Public School Road Safety Evaluation due to the high number of people using this path.

A shared path on the western side may be considered in the future.

Transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety released a discussion paper on shared paths in 2015 that concluded shared paths represent a relatively low safety risk.

Currently, children up to the age of 16, accompanying adults and adults carrying children are legally allowed to ride a bicycle on a footpath.

Creating a wider path helps provide more space for everybody.

Council staff met with Curl Curl North Public School Principal and School Administrative Manager to discuss the proposal and options associated with the project. The proposed concept is supported by the School.

No parking spots will be removed.

The proposal will provide a more desirable walking and cycling option for people to choose active transport over driving, which we hope will reduced general traffic in the area longer term.

The areas in and around the path will have some minor impact during the construction period.

A separated cycleway would require the removal of either on-street parking, a vehicle travel lane or the removal of existing mature trees to fit within the road corridor.

A shared path is considered to provide a safe cycling environment with least disruption.

Cyclists wishing to ride at higher speed are encouraged to use the road.

Council has received funding for two further shared path/cycleway projects in the area:

1. Abbott Road corridor between Harbord Road and Griffin Road
2. John Fisher Reserve to Freshwater Village along the Park St, Bennett St and Oliver St corridors.

These projects are currently being planned and community engagement is expected to start in the coming months.

The path has been positioned and designed to retain as many of the existing trees as possible. The three casuarina trees located between the existing path and the school boundary fence may be removed to accommodate adequate path width.

Once we have reviewed community feedback and finalised the design, we will have a clearer view of any tree removals required as part of this project.