wellness
Cycling routes safe for families and beginners gain ground in Collingwood parks
New marked paths through local green spaces give parents and novices low-traffic options for weekend rides.
How we reported this
Collingwood Parks opened two new family-designated cycling loops this month, each running under three kilometres with painted lanes and speed limits posted at 15 kilometres per hour.
The routes opened on 1 July after council crews finished resurfacing sections that had carried heavy foot traffic during the cooler months. Families with children under twelve now have dedicated space away from main roads, a change that aligns with the rise in local outdoor activity tracked by the Collingwood Active Living survey released last week.
Victoria Park and Johnston Street paths
One loop circles the outer edge of Victoria Park, starting at the entrance near Hoddle Street and passing the playground at the south end before returning along the east fence line. The second route follows the shared path beside Johnston Street between Wellington Street and Gipps Street, where bollards separate bikes from the footpath at two crossing points. Both segments connect to the Collingwood Community Bike Hub, which runs a free helmet-fitting station on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Collingwood Council records show 1,240 bike passes logged on the Victoria Park loop during its first weekend of operation. Rental bikes at the hub cost twelve dollars for two hours, with child seats available at no extra charge. The same data set lists 312 participants in the council’s beginner cycling sessions held at the hub since April.
Practical steps for first rides
Parents can download the Collingwood Parks map from the council website and check daily for any temporary closures before heading out. Riders are asked to keep to the marked lanes between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., when volunteer marshals from the Collingwood Active Living program are stationed at the two busiest intersections. Helmets remain compulsory for everyone under eighteen, and the hub offers a quick safety check on brakes and lights before each rental.
Weather permitting, the loops stay open through the end of summer, with an information session scheduled for 22 July at the Collingwood Library to answer questions about adding lights or planning longer family outings.