wellness
Greensborough Adds Protected Cycling Paths Near Grimshaw Street
Greensborough parks have added protected paths that separate bikes from cars on key stretches near Grimshaw Street and the Plenty River.
How we reported this
Greensborough Council opened two new family cycling loops on July 5 that run entirely on separated paths inside Plenty Gorge Park and along the old rail alignment off Watsonia Road.
Wellness groups in the suburb have pushed for these changes because more residents want outdoor activity without traffic stress, and council records show family park visits rose sharply after the winter school holidays began.
Two routes ready now
The first loop starts at the Greensborough Park entrance on Grimshaw Street and follows a 2.8-kilometre flat circuit around the oval and riverbank. The second route begins at the Watsonia Road underpass and runs 3.4 kilometres north along the disused rail corridor to the new rest area near the old Greensborough station site. Both paths were widened last month with new line markings and bollards installed by the Greensborough Active Transport group.
Greensborough Community Centre runs a free Saturday morning skills session on these paths that started June 27 and will continue through August. The sessions use cones and low-traffic sections so parents can ride beside children aged five and up.
Numbers and costs
Council data released last week counted 1,450 family riders on the new sections during the first weekend they were open. Bike hire at the park kiosk costs $12 for an adult bike and $8 for a child model, with helmets included. A family of four can borrow a tag-along trailer for an extra $10 per hour.
Residents who want to try the routes this weekend can pick up a free map at the Greensborough Library on Main Street or download the council app that marks the exact entry points and water fountains along each loop.