The City of Orange traffic committee approved on-road bicycle routes in March Street between Woodward and Peisley streets and both Anson Street and Lords Place between Moulder and March streets.

William Street between March and Byng streets was not identified as a key route into the CBD. 

A report to the committee said one continuous line would be painted, creating a shoulder to separate bicycles from cars, but two painted lines were required to be defined as a bike lane. 

“If a bicycle lane were to be installed, then the implication would be that bicycle riders should travel between those lines,” the report said.

“Already there has been some conjecture from the public about the bicycle symbols used being ‘too close to traffic’.”

The report noted the extra marking could be retrofitted at a later date at the committee’s request, but councillor and keen cyclist Stephen Nugent believed a designated lane was better to keep motorists watchful when entering or leaving a parking space. 

“If the bike symbols are only every so often along the road, it’s very easy for a car to forget it’s designated for bike riders,” he said. 

But he  said he felt safe riding along existing bicycle shoulders and was encouraged the situation could be reviewed.

“The facilities for bike riders are getting better and better and I would like to see it continue,” he said. 

Cars cannot legally drive across an unbroken line, however they can cross it temporarily to overtake a car turning right, avoid an obstruction, turn at an intersection, enter or leave the road or park.