WESTERN suburbs and Fremantle councillors have got on their bikes to push for earlier completion of the missing link in the Perth-Fremantle cycling path between Swanbourne and North Fremantle.

“Councils can combine forces to lobby government and join paths between council borders, because everyone is sick of the traffic chaos, particularly at school drop-off times,” Perth to Port Bike and Walk lobby convenor and Claremont councillor Kate Main said.

Lobby members comprise Claremont, Mosman Park, Cottesloe, Nedlands, Fremantle and Peppermint Grove councillors who want the principle shared path (PSP) between Grant Street, Cottesloe and Tydeman Road, North Fremantle completed before the 2020-21 date listed among the $129 million set aside for bike paths in September’s State Budget.

A 5km gap leaves cyclists using the dangerous Eric Street bridge, Curtin Avenue and Port Beach Road, and negotiating pedestrians on footpaths past port trucks on Tydeman Road, North Fremantle.

Cr Main said completing the PSP was a “no-brainer” because it would reduce traffic, join other bike paths to the potentially major cycling route, make students get out of their parents’ cars, and create tourism by pedalling to Fremantle through a green corridor, stopping at attractions such as Cottesloe Beach.

Detailed designs for the missing section are being done from Grant to Victoria streets, and feasibility is being conducted for the rest of the path to North Fremantle.

“Bikes and people negotiating prime movers across six lanes and Tydeman Road needs to be safe with users confident in their ability to use the PSP, and given the longevity of the Fremantle Port operations, there is a need for a long-term integration of cycling and pedestrian facilities for the community,” Fremantle’s Cr Doug Thompson said.

However, the Government is completing the missing sections of PSP along the Mitchell Freeway first because of claimed savings from other freeway works.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she understood Perth-Fremantle cyclists’ frustrations, but the previous government’s “budget mess” prevented the route’s gap being done at the same time as the Mitchell Freeway work, but the Fremantle PSP could be done quicker if there were savings from other projects.

Parents who wish to co-ordinate traffic reduction at schools can contact kmain@claremont.wa.gov.au.

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