Cycleways in Gosford
Information on cycleways and safe cycling in Gosford.
Central Coast Cycling Guide
Visit the online Central Coast Cycling Guide for a comprehensive guide to rides for cycling for visitors and locals to enjoy the beautiful Central Coast.
Cycling for sustainability by linking the Central Coast
- Gosford Cycleway Network
- NSW Coastline Cycleway Strategy
- Central Coast Cycling Guide
- Cycle to the gateway of the Central Coast
- Cycling and Pedestrian Safety
- Cycleway Maps
- Cycleway Project Updates
- Telephone Number Toolkit
Gosford City Council's local government area encompasses a wide area with a multitude of things to do, see and enjoy. Whether seeing the beaches of Terrigal and Avoca to the mountains and its temperate rainforest to the very important wetlands. What better way than by enjoying Gosford's cycleway network?
With over 1000 square kilometres the region offers on road, off road cycleways as well as BMX friendly skate parks and mountain bike tracks.
Gosford Cycleway Network
The Gosford cycleway network forms part of a larger cycleway network as part of the NSW Coastline Cycleways Strategy. Visit for more info Connecting the Central Coast Transport Action Plan and NSW Coastline Cycleway Strategy.
Council is committed to encouraging cycling as a legitimate means of transport by providing safe and convenient cycling conditions - see our cycling hazard report form. Accordingly, a bicycle network has been adopted by council indicating suggested on road and off road links to/from the main urban centres of the city.
The objective of Council's Bicycle Policy is to create a shared road space for cyclists. Council is firstly concentrating its available resources into areas where traffic volumes and potential danger levels are higher such as the Gosford -Woy Woy Link.
Gosford Velodrome- Located within Adcock Park, West Gosford just off the Central Coast Highway south of the Brian McGowan Bridge. It is accessible by bicycle via the shared user path at Carrawah Reserve. Track Meets are held are held every Wednesday for more information visit www.centralcoastcyclingclub.com or contact Councils Recreation Services Department on 4325 8222.
Use of shared user paths
Shared cycleways, although signposted for the use of both pedestrians and cyclists attract use by other recreationalists. People such as dog walkers, rollerbladers, joggers and skateboard riders. Developing and making provisions for cycleways acknowledges that there is also an additional benefit to the community in allowing access by other users. Users of shared cycleways are expected to show courtesy to other users and to stick to the path to prevent erosion and any possible damage to adjoining vegetation.
Walking
Walking is well recognised as the easiest and best way to get the required thirty minutes of daily exercise to reduce the onset of cardio vascular disease. For a great walk catch the ferry to Davistown and do the Illoura Walk from the Central Davistown Ferry Wharf. Or for more details visit the Heart Foundation on local walking groups or contact your local senior citizens centre.
Design
Council's cycleways are designed in accordance with AustRoad's Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice Part 13-Bicycles
NSW Coastline Cycleway Strategy
This strategy is part of a program to implement a continuous cycleway along the NSW coastline from Bega toTweed Heads. It has been supported with funding from the state government's Department of Planning.
Council's objective is to provide a continuous cycleway link between major residential and commercial settlements of the Woy Woy Peninsula, Gosford and Terrigal.
The aim of the project is to provide a safe link for commuter and recreational cyclists along the Brisbane Water foreshore. A natural asset of the local community and the perfect avenue to highlight the beauty the region has to offer. This cycleway will then be promoted with the Central Coast Cycling Guide.
Central Coast Cycling Guide
The Central Coast Cycling Guide is a combined Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire initiative with support from Central Coast Tourism and the Roads and Traffic Authority as well as the Department of Transport and Regional Serices as well as the Cycling Promotion Fund. It is a booklet, which highlights the various points of interest throughout the Central Coast and makes them available to cyclists in the form of a guide to various routes throughout the region. The guide also intends to be full of information on cycling facilities and loaded full of cycling network maps. For info or feedback on this site please email cyclingguide@gosford.nsw.gov.au
Cycling into the gateway of the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Gosford is accessible via the Old Pacific Highway. It offers a great scenic view along the way. If cycle touring into Gosford from Sydney be Newcastle be sure to book your accommodation prior visit www.cctourism.com.au for more information. When entering from Wyong Shire ensure you use the shared paths where available (RTA 131700) http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/. The railway service into Gosford stops at numerous smaller stations however the two major train stations are Gosford and Woy Woy (Call 131500 info or www.131500/realinfo for information on track changes. State Rail provides hooks for bikes on certain carriages however if using Country link services be sure to pre book your bike and place it in a bike box prior to boarding to ensure a smooth journey. On suburban services try to place your bike in the vestibule away from other passengers. There are secure bike lockers available for use at each of the major stations at 50 cents per day, see http://www.bicyclensw.org.au/ for more details or call 9281 4900.
Gosford City is also accessible via ferry from Sydneys most northern beach Palm Beach. The Palm Beach Ferry Service offers a daily service from Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe. It is the perfect means to access the region by bicycle. To take your bike on board it costs an extra two dollars and with a Ferry 10 pass it is complementary. (http://www.palmbeachferry.com.au/)
For information on accessing the ferry service from Saratoga and Davistown to Woy Woy visit www.centralcoastferries.com.au
Buses - Two major operators exist in the Gosford region. Busways and Red bus Services. Visit www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/cyclingguide/ for more info
Helmets - It is a legal requirement that all riders on bikes and other users of our cycleways wear a Standards Australia approved helmet. They are available for sale from $40 and upward. Helmets must be fitted correctly and replaced after a fall to ensure integrity of the helmet. This is of significance to parents of children. If in doubt, please ensure that you and your child are correctly fitted by visiting one of the many bike retailers available on the Central Coast.
Please note: It is an offence not to wear a helmet according to NSW law and the fine for not wearing one is $47. This also applies to off road recreational facilities such as Skate Parks and other bmx facilities.
Riding on Gosford Cycleways - When cycling on the cycleways of Gosford ensure that you obey all signage and take care where appropriate and give way to pedestrians.
Magpies/ butcherbirds - Magpies are a common characteristic of the urban environment on the Central Coast however it is important to reduce the risk of being swooped upon. The National Parks and Wildlife Service suggests that they swoop generally in Spring from August-October.
Recommendations include:
- Taking an alternative route if possible.
- Getting off your bike and walking through the birds territory.
- Wearing sunglasses.
- Fitting a bike flag to your bike.
Key Rules & Tips for Safe Road Cycling
- Obey all traffic signals.
- Always give hand signals to indicate what you're about to do.
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
- Use a bike lane where provided.
- Dismount to walk across pedestrian crossings and signalised intersections.
- You can turn right from either the right or left-hand lane of a multi-lane roundabout. If you use the left lane you must give way to traffic exiting the roundabout since you are changing lanes.
- You can overtake other vehicles on the left unless they are signalling and turning left however watch for opening doors.
- Use the road shoulder whenever possible if a road shoulder is provided
- You can ride two abreast but stay within 1.5m of each other legally on road.
- Take care at narrow bridges and roundabouts. When entering a single lane roundabout watch for other vehicles when merging with traffic and indicate accordingly.
Roadside Manner
- Be courteous to other cycleways users by warning when approaching by ringing your bell when overtaking.
- Slow down when passing the elderly and other cycleway users.
- Stay to off road cycleways where possible.
- Keep left at all times.
- Ride one abreast when approaching other cycleway users.
- In accordance with the Companion Animals Act when walking dogs on cycleways you must have your dog on a leash (except in council off-leash areas).
- For public health and safety reasons and the convenience of others it is asked that all dog walkers pick up dog droppings.
Riding on the footpath - Children under 12 years are eligible to ride on the footpath as are those supervising them unless bicycle prohibition signs are displayed. Children 12 and over are advised to use the road or cycleways.
Accessories: It is a legal requirement that all bikes are fitted with a bell. When cycling of a night it is a legal requirement that the bike be fitted lights. Lights must radiate to a distance of 200 metres and they must be fitted on the front and back. See your local bike retailer for details
Other accessories: Flags, bright clothing, reflective material and other accessories are available with the objective of being seen and being safe on the road and cycleways.
Cycleway Maps
It is planned for Maps of the local area to be available online and in print form. For the following areas:
- Gosford City Network (PDF File, 1.8mb)
- Woy Woy Peninsula
- The Beaches
- Central Coast Network
Cycleway Project Updates
1) South Kincumber link- Hawkes St - Empire Bay Drive ~ Ozanam Recreation Development
In 2005/06 Council has completed Stage 2 of the South Kincumber cycleway linking cyclists from Kincumber to the Nautical Village, Kincumber. This project is continuing in 2006 towards the Ozanam Recreation Centre providing pedestrians and cyclists an alternate route from Kincumber to the Ozanam Recreation Facility at South Kincumber. This section offers a safer option for cyclists and other users alike whilst crossing the picturesque Kincumber Creek before the route passes the newly built swim centre at Kincumber and links up towards Kincumber and the Brisbane Water foreshore.
2) Empire Bay Drive - Nautical Village ~ Ozanam Recreation Facility
The completion of this new section of the cycleway network has occured in 2006. Further construction will connect the existing shared user path all the way from Nautical Village to the Ozanam Centre djacent to Empire Bay Drive. This cycleway will offer cycleway users a pleasant and safer alternative to the existing road whilst taking in bushland amenity.
3) Gosford - Woy Woy Cycleway
Recent completion of three more segments of the Gosford to Woy Woy Cycleway has resulted in 12kms of continual cycleway from Gosford to Woy Woy. The Woy Woy pedestrian/cycleway bridge currently under construction is due for completion in December 2006. This will link up a vital segment of the local cycleway network.
Applications for the naming of this bridge are currently being sought.
The Gosford to Woy Cycleway offers offers views of the picturesque Brisbane Water foreshore, picnic amenities, fish and chip shops, fishing spots, valuable wetland habitats, railway station access and a great deal more including playgrounds.
4) Legge Place, Green Point and Kareel Close
Formalizing a well used pathway between two housing corridors in the Erina area.
Other projects include:
Improving current bicycle facilities- by adding to the existing infrastructure with more signage, bike locker facilities and bike racks. The federal government in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Transport through its Cycle Connect Project.
5) Ocean Beach Road- On Road Cycleway. This section of road has been upgraded with linemarking to delineate sections of this road for commuting cyclists. Where there this road does not have an on road cycleway ensure you cycle in a predictable manner.
Telephone Tool Box:
Gosford City Council Cycleways Officer: 4325 8929
Central Coast Bicycle Users Group: 4369 4392
Central Coast Touring Cycling Club
For information on the Rides Calender and Whats On
Email cctcc@bigpond.com.au
Central Coast Cycling Club: 61 2 4399 3333
The club offers both track cycling and road cycling for more info visit.
Web: http://www.centralcoastcyclingclub.com/
Australian Time Trails Association For info on local time trials visit www.atta.asn.au
Bicycle NSW: 61 2 9281 4099 or http://www.bicyclensw.org.au/
Bike Shops:
Bikecology Kincumber: Shop 5/34 Avoca Drive Kincumber
Bikecology East Gosford: Shop 1 York St, East Gosford
E: bikecology@bigpond.com.au
Tel: 61 2 4325 1400
BIKEWORX
Shop 5 Erina Plaza, 210 The Entrance Rd, ERINA 2250
T: 61 24365 2208
Pushy Galore Wyoming
Shop 17/482 Pacific Hwy Wyoming
T: 61 2 43415673
Pushy Galore Umina
Shop 1/276 West St, Umina
E: pencycle@adsl.on.net
Rod Martin Cycles: Shop 2 , 342 Mann St, Gosford
Tel: 4324 3388
http://www.rodmartincycles.com.au/
Roundabout Cycles: 1/160 The entrance Road Erina
Tel: 4365 2344
The Bicycle Store - 18a Railway St Woy Woy
Tel: 4341 3906
E: info@thebicyclestore.com.au
http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/
Bicycle Access: To donate a pre loved bike no longer needed or to volunteer your time to fix up bikes contact the REBYCYCLE Recycled bike project on: 4325 8939.
Useful Links: