THE CYCLISTS
GETTING “on your bike” will be made easier with the opening of the EastLink Trail, Melbourne’s longest sealed bike path.
The $26million state-of-the-art trail provides 35 kilometres of pedestrian and bicycle path from Donvale to Dandenong South.
The concrete path runs the length of the EastLink motorway and connects with other trails, parks and reserves.
About four million native plants and trees have been planted in the EastLink precinct.
The total landscape and wetland component of EastLink is bigger than the renowned 480 hectares of parks and gardens within the City of Melbourne.
Bicycle Victoria, a self-funded community organisation, expects the trail to encourage more people to ride to work – and take in the scenery.
Bicycle Victoria’s facilities development manager, Jason den Hollander, said: “It will open up a new corridor and opportunities for riders in the area.
“It certainly will encourage people to ride to work.”
The trail will replace most of the ageing Dandenong Creek bicycle path with a smoother surface.
BV will monitor the route and is keen for feedback from cyclists.
It is expected most of the trail will be open by June 15.
In the meantime, BV is encouraging cyclists to register for the EastLink Road Show on June 15, which gives riders a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride on the motorway.
Riders can register online at www.bv.com.au or by clicking on www.eastlink.com.au
