The community is invited to have their say on a plan to reduce car usage and support an increase in bike transport on the Northern Beaches.

Mayor Michael Regan said cycling had many obvious benefits.

“Cycling is not for everyone but given the benefits to our health and our hip pockets, with lower transport costs and less of an environmental impact than cars, Council is keen to provide support for those who are bike users,'' Mayor Regan said.

“We already have around 40 per cent of our residents who rode a bicycle in the past year compared to 25 per cent of residents across Sydney which is great so this plan is about supporting continued bike use.

“We hope this Plan will help more people choose cycling in situations where they might otherwise have chosen their car.

“This plan is about giving everybody more choices when to comes to transport.”

The proposed network is divided into two groups - the Safe Cycling Network for all users and the Road Cycling Network, for longer commuter trips and recreation cycling.

“Council is seeking community feedback on our draft bike plan, we want people to consider cycling as a viable transport option,” Mayor Regan said.

“The bike plan will play a part in our commitment in the Northern Beaches Transport Strategy to reduce the number of car trips by 30 per cent and in turn double the number of walking and cycling trips. We also propose to build better end of trip facilities and create a safer environment for people cycling on paths and roads.”

Following the public engagement period, it is anticipated a final version of the bike plan will go to Council for consideration and adoption in mid-2020.

Submissions for the draft bike plan close on 5 April.