Cycle Towns was an RMS/ Orange City Council funded project which aimed to increase the number of people in Orange who choose to walk or ride to school or work. sala4D was commissioned for design development, detail documentation and project management. One of the key deliverables was the Southern Link Cycleway, a key route to develop for active travel, connecting the Orange CBD to the hospital and the future employment precinct of south Orange.
Elements of the route were developed over time with assistance from the RMS and other funding bodies but a vital component of the success of the route was the delivery of a tunnel under the main west rail line.
The cycle path is comprised of concrete paths and numerous boardwalks over creeklines. The project included rider support infrastructure such as seating, bubblers, the provision of shade and wayfinding signage to deliver a high amenity path network. The project was completed in 2017 and was considered a great success.
A series of community events were held by Council to promote the project and ensure the community was involved in the delivery of the project.
In 2015 the Orange City Council won a Heart Foundation Local Government Award for promoting healthy lifestyles and its contribution to keeping its residents’ hearts healthy.
