Cyclists young and old alike brought their bikes to Pakenham to celebrate the newest way to get around town.
The local Ghostriders Cycling Group switched things up recently to take a new bike route thanks to the upgraded shared use paths on 2 Pakenham-based Victorian Big Build projects.
The 40-strong group of cyclists – ranging from 80-year-olds to a pair of passionate 10-year-olds -headed out from Pakenham Railway Station, across the Princes Freeway on the newly built bridge and out towards Koo Wee Rup – a 15km ride that for the first time includes dedicated cycling and walking paths.
They celebrated the ride with a coffee catch-up in Koo Wee Rup to cap off an incredible first ride for the club along the new shared use path built jointly by teams on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade.
The Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade was completed last year including a 10km shared use path starting from Southeast Boulevard all the way down to the Manks Road roundabout.
With the Princes Freeway Upgrade completed on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, crews are now working on Racecourse Road Upgrade, which will include removing the Bald Hill Road roundabout and upgrading it to an intersection with traffic lights.
These works will ease congestion and create better linkages for Pakenham’s transport network, including new walking and shared use paths improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
By the time crews complete the Pakenham Roads Upgrade in early 2027, journeys for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers will be made easier than ever with these linked shared use paths.
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade has completed major works on Stage 1 of the project, delivering new ramps and lanes on the Princes Freeway and a new bridge on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road over the freeway.
Major works on Stage 2, the McGregor Road Upgrade, north of the freeway were also completed prior to Christmas, with works ongoing into March to widen the citybound freeway entry ramp. Major works on Stage 3 to upgrade Racecourse Road will start later in February.
These works are part of nearly $1 billion worth of transport infrastructure projects underway or recently completed in the area to upgrade the transportation network in and around Pakenham.
The Ghostriders Cycling Club meets for recreational rides on the Warburton Trail and other bike trails around Victoria weekly. Visit their website for further information on joining their rides: ghostriderscycling.com
Find out more about the Pakenham Roads Upgrade and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade.