Cyclists have revealed Canberra's most dangerous paths, roads and intersections for bike-riders.
CrowdSpot crowdsourced data from cyclists, receiving 72,800 submissions from across Australia.
Northbourne Avenue was named the most dangerous cycling spot in Canberra, and the sixth worst in the country.
People also submitted what they considered the safest places in the city for cyclists.
Wendouree Drive in Parkes was named the most safe place in Canberra to ride, followed by the Bowen Place Crossing, the Paul Truebridge path, the C1 Bikeway and Melrose Drive in Curtin.
Many of the spots considered Australia's most dangerous had no bike infrastructure or unsafe intersections, CrowdSpot director Anthony Aisenberg said.
Meanwhile, more than three-quarters of the safest routes allowed cyclists to ride away from cars.
They were often described as off-road paths, separated bicycle lanes or as having "not much vehicle traffic".
Northbourne Avenue needed improvement, Mr Aisenberg said.
"It would be an amazing connection north-south for all riders if it wasn't as narrow and [so close to cars]," he said.
Pedal Power ACT has held protests on Northbourne Avenue.
Executive director Cecily Michaels said it needed development to ensure cyclists were protected.
The government has rejected a proposal by the group to remove a car lane.
Most dangerous cycling paths/spots
- Northbourne Avenue
- Athllon Drive, Torrens
- Adelaide Avenue path and Kent Street, Deakin
- Eastlake Parade, Kingston
- Lake Burley Griffin path near Bowen Drive
- Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell
- Limestone Avenue, Ainslie
- Eyre Street, Campbell
- Commonwealth Avenue and Parkes Way off-ramp, Parkes
- Kings Avenue Bridge
- Source: CrowdSpot
An ACT government spokesperson said: "Northbourne Avenue is scheduled for upgrades as part of future network expansions."
They said the Northbourne Avenue corridor was complex because it had multiple intersection and speed zones, the light rail and National Capital Authority approval oversight.
They also said the inner north had the highest rate of cycling in Canberra, which might be why CrowdSpot received so many submissions about the cycling corridors in that area.
From 2012 to December 2023, nearly 200 cyclist crashes were reported to the Australian Federal Police as occurring on Northbourne Avenue, including intersections.
This was from a total of 1889 crash reports made in the ACT.
Tennis coach Alicia Celaya Jauregui, 36, died while riding her bike on Lady Denman Drive in March this year.
The government spokesperson said existing cycleway development plans would address concerns about the Kingston Foreshore, Commonwealth and Adelaide Avenues.
"The ACT has some of the best cycling infrastructure in the country and this is being expanded after a big boost in active travel investment at the 2023-24 ACT budget," they said.
"Given the popularity of cycling in [the inner north of Canberra, the ACT government is delivering the new Garden City Cycleway, which will run through Watson, Downer, Hackett, Dickson, Ainslie and Braddon through to the city.
Safest cycling paths/spots
- Wendouree Drive, Parkes
- Bowen Place Crossing
- Paul Truebridge path
- C1 Bikeway
- Melrose Drive, Curtin
- Source: CrowdSpot
"With construction of the first section in Braddon well under way, the Garden City Cycleway will provide a safer, more pleasant alternative for people to use on the eastern side of Northbourne Avenue rather than directly on Northbourne Avenue, similar to Canberra's highest used cycle path on the western side, the Sullivans Creek cycle route. The cycleway will also provide options for cyclists on Limestone Avenue.
The Kingston Cycleway, which will provide safe and separated cycle infrastructure to address [concerns] in the Kingston Foreshore. The first stage of the Cycleway is already complete along Bowen Drive ... which is providing a safe and separated alternative for cyclists to the busy walking path along the lake
"Cycling improvements [are being made as] part of light rail stage two, including along Commonwealth and Adelaide avenues."
- What are your favourite/least favourite places in Canberra to ride a bike? Comment below.
