Isabel Martini told The Courier she feared unless something was done to widen and reseal sections of Geelong Road going from Mount Helen into Buninyong and Yankee Flat Road for cyclists, the risk of a serious accident remained. 

Ms Martini said cyclists frequently used the roads for training but current infrastructure was not equipped to safely allow cars, pedestrians and cyclists to use the roads at the same time.

“Sooner or later there will be an accident along one of these roads,” Ms Martini said. 

“All lives are being endangered because pedestrians are being affected by the amount of cyclists using the area and cars are driving too close to cyclists. Will it take a fatality for something to be done?”

Ms Martini said particular hotspots included near the corner of Moss and Geelong roads where the road dipped and cyclists were often out of view of passing cars.

She said while she was not opposed to annual cycling events held in Buninyong, including the Cycling Australia Road National Championships, infrastructure and communication between residents, traders and the council needed to improve.

Ms Martini said at last year’s events residents were not adequately consulted before the event and many traders failed to reap the benefits.

Ms Martini also raised concerns that the road closures, which ran from 7am until 7pm, were excessive. 

Ms Martini also said there was a need for local groups and organisations to play a central role in the planning of the event, rather than the responsibility being handed from the council to Cycling Australia. 

A third meeting to discuss the issue was held at the Buninyong Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Ms Martini said at the previous two meetings no resolution had been made between residents and council officers.

Ballarat City Council general manager of city strategy Natalie Reiter said the aim of the meetings was to develop a process that allowed for the inclusion of Buninyong residents in the operational planning meetings

of cycling events in the area.

“Under this process, a village reference group will liaise with the council and Cycling Australia, other event promoters and the community,” Ms Reiter said.

She said the council was developing a strategy for future road-based events that addressed the concerns of residents.

Ms Reiter said adding a sealed bicycle lane along Yankee Flat Road was one of the recommendations of the strategy.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au