Project Summary

The City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire Council are working together to explore safe cycling options between Geelong and Torquay, with support from a Transport Accident Commission (TAC) grant.

This project aims to encourage more people to choose active transport, like cycling, by making it safer and more accessible. Reducing car dependence not only improves public health but also supports a more sustainable future for our region.

Community Engagement

Community and stakeholder feedback played a key role in shaping the project. Engagement activities included:

  • a survey with 671 responses
  • an in-person workshop with 40 participants.

Feedback highlighted current barriers to cycling and strong support for off-road paths as the preferred infrastructure option.

Route Options Explored

Based on community input, three potential cycling corridors were developed, each with a mix of on-road and off-road infrastructure. A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) was used to assess each option against factors such as safety, user experience, cost, feasibility, and community support.

Corridor 1 – Extends along Horseshoe Bend Road, Lower Duneed Road, the Armstrong Creek transit corridor and Barwarre Road

  • mix of on-road cycle lanes and off-road shared paths
  • focus on upgrades in both rural and urban sections.

Corridor 2 – Extends along Horseshoe Bend Rd, Warralily Boulevard, the Armstrong Creek transit corridor, Barwarre Road and Barwon Heads Road

  • prioritises off-road cycling infrastructure
  • long-term plan includes a fully separated pathway suitable for all abilities.
  • emphasis on off-road shared paths

Corridor 3 – Extends along Surf Coast Highway, the Armstrong Creek transit corridor and Barwarre Road

  • long-term upgrades where space allows beside existing roads.

An alternate northern alignment through Marshall was also identified, using the newly constructed shared path along the rail duplication between Reserve Road and Barwon Heads Road. This connection benefits all three corridor options and was not included in the MCA as it applies universally.

Recommended Route

Following detailed analysis, Corridor 2 has been identified as the preferred long-term solution. This route offers the best opportunity to deliver a safe, accessible, and connected cycling path between Geelong and Torquay.

The recommended route will also incorporate the alternate Marshall alignment to strengthen northern connectivity.

What’s Next?

At this stage, no funding has been allocated for construction by either council. However, both councils are committed to seeking future grant opportunities to deliver this important cycling link.

Your Feedback

Your feedback is important to us, so please visit one or more of the feedback options below to have your say:

  • Our online survey below to provide your feedback. You can request a hard copy by contacting the officer listed in the 'Who's Listening' section of this page.
  • You can use the map tool below to identify missing links and safety concerns.
  • By email to transport@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
  • In writing addressed to:
    • Jessica Tester
    City of Greater Geelong,
    Wadawurrung Country,
    PO Box 104,
    Geelong VIC 3220

Complete our survey

Survey has now closed.

Map

If you would like to share any specific information about cycling between Torquay and Geelong, please do so on the map below, including:

  • areas that you consider are currently unsafe (use the yellow 'safety concerns' marker)
  • missing links (use the blue 'missing links' marker)
  • other considerations or opportunities (use the green 'other' marker).

Click on 'add marker', select the location and choose the relevant category your comment relates to. Click on the '?' symbol below for more detailed instructions.

The personal information and feedback (collectively the Data) requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong (City) for the purpose of conducting an options analysis, together with Surf Coast Shire Council (Surf Coast), for delivering a safe cycling link between Torquay and Geelong, known as the Safe Cycling Connection Torquay to Geelong study, and any other directly related purpose (Project). All Data will be disclosed to Surf Coast for the purposes of the Project and reviewed by both the City and Surf Coast. A de-identified report making recommendations will be provided to the Transport Accident Commission and published on our website.

If your personal information is not collected, the Project may not be able to be adequately conducted, and the City may not be able to contact you for further questions or to find solutions.

In order to collect and conduct in depth and detailed analysis of the Data for the purposes of the Project, the City will disclose the Data (including your personal information) to its third-party service providers, including Social Pinpoint Pty Ltd, Converlens Pty Ltd and Amazon Web Services.

Other than as stated above, your personal information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, except as required or authorised by law.

Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to the City, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.

Surf Coast’s privacy policy can be found at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/privacy .