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CYCLISTS have drafted a specifically-signed training route in the Port Fairy and Koroit districts following a number of car-bike collisions in the south-west. Moyne shire councillors will vote tomorrow night on whether to accept a proposal to install 15 signs along a designated cycling route, largely taking bikes off the major thoroughfares. The move comes after a dramatic car-bike collision in February which resulted in serious injuries for two Port Fairy cyclists. Moyne Shire mayor James Purcell said the crash sent shock waves through Port Fairy and had galvanised action to improve road and cyclist safety. The proposed batch of 15 signs are part of A Metre Matters campaign, which highlights the recommended minimum distance motorists should be when travelling near cyclists. Port Fairy Cycling Club spokesman Neil Duncan said the signage was a necessary part of improving roadway safety in the region, along with other measures such as bike tail-lights. Mr Duncan was involved in a car-bike collision along the Port Fairy-Hamilton Road two years ago and said both motorists and cyclists needed to take care on the open road. “That accident really got people thinking about what we need to do to reduce the risks of crashes occurring,” Mr Duncan said. “There’s no way of preventing it completely but you have to do something. Signs will help in some way because it’ll keep drivers aware of the dangers of driving too close. High-visibility lights are another way and generally improving communication.” The shire has estimated the 15 council-commissioned signs will take about three weeks to make and install. VicRoads was also approached by the cycling club and has agreed to supply four signs along thoroughfares under its jurisdiction. Cr Purcell said the proposed route encompassed a number of rural roads with low-volume traffic. “The roads involve cut through areas that are less inhabited, which means there’s less vehicles sharing the same roads,” the mayor said last night. “The (February) accident really got people to sit up and pay attention about this issue. No one wants to see another serious injury or even a death on the local roads.” The cycling route starts west of Port Fairy at the T-intersection of Blackwood and Port Fairy-Hamilton roads. It extends along Blackwood, Toolong, Toolong North and Terka roads before arriving in Kirkstall. Scotts North, Gunns, Koroit-Woolsthorpe and Lake View roads are included in the Koroit section, while Sheehans, Port Fairy-Koroit (aka Three Chain), Badhams and Scotts roads are part of the Rosebrook/Crossley section.

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