What are principal shared paths?
A principal shared path (PSP) is a high-quality shared path for walking and riding, built to Main Roads WA PSP standard. This generally means the path will be 4-m-wide, have adequate lighting and be grade separated at intersections.
PSPs form the backbone of the Western Australian bike network, and often follow freeway and rail corridors. PSPs provide for safer off-road travel, with minimal interruption from other traffic, and more direct riding and walking trips.
To create more enjoyable walking and riding experiences, where possible, efforts are made to enhance the amenity of PSPs. For example, artwork may be included in walls and underpasses and the incorporation of natural landscaping is prioritised as part of the green transport route initiative.
What is the PSP expansion program?
Expanding the PSP network is a key action of the Western Australian Bicycle Network Plan 2014-2031 (WABN Plan) and is being delivered as part of state-wide major transport infrastructure projects such as METRONET.
The WABN Plan includes a series of key actions, designed to provide a safe and sustainable bicycle network between major activity and attraction areas.
Initial works were concentrated within a 15 km radius of the Perth central area with a particular emphasis along the freeway and railway corridors, due to high commuter demand.
Since 2023 the focus has moved to areas beyond the 15 km radius of the Perth central area to provide greater connectivity for strategic activity centres.
Transcript
[Music: The Other Side. Yellowbus]
[Visual: An aerial view of Mitchell Freeway moving down to the bike path with riders moving in all directions.]
Narrator: A critical missing link in the Mitchell Freeway bike path is now open and ready to ride!
[Visual: A map of the Mitchell Freeway bike path route. The camera then cuts between footage of riders and walkers using the path - crossing in every direction, aerial views of the path and surrounds, and close up views of the riders and signage.]
Narrator: The northern suburbs are now connected to the Perth CBD, Leederville, Mount Hawthorn, Osborne Park and Lake Monger by a high quality, uninterrupted path that makes a trip quick, safe, and convenient.
As part of this project, we installed a brand new 2.1-kilometre section of the path on the eastern side of the freeway. We also upgraded the path on either side resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable journey over more than five kilometres. The new and upgraded path now stretches from Vincent Street in Leederville all the way to Telford Crescent in Stirling.
To make your trip quicker and safer, we removed over nine road crossings. This included the installation of two new underpasses at Hutton Street and a new 60-metre-long pedestrian and bike bridge over Scarborough Beach Road. This has shaved three to five minutes off the time it takes to ride from the northern suburbs into the city. This 19-million-dollar project is the biggest single investment in WA's bike network to date and is part of the McGowan government's commitment to complete the principal shared path network within a 15-kilometre radius of the Perth CBD by 2023.
[Text on screen: The Government of Western Australia Department of Transport. Building for Tomorrow.]
End of transcript
Completed and current projects
Recently completed PSP projects, along with projects in construction and planning stages are itemised in the downloadable map below.
Information about specific PSP projects is published in the WABN Annual Progress Reports available on the WABN Plan webpage. Key projects are also listed in the Building for Tomorrow website (search “shared paths”).
Program evaluation
PSP projects in the Fremantle Railway and Mitchell Freeway corridors were evaluated in line with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s PSP Key Investment Projects Evaluation Plan.
The evaluation shows increased riding and walking, increased community satisfaction and improved safety following construction of the new PSP sections. These results highlight the positive impact of extending Perth’s active transport network. Findings are presented in the summary paper and full report, downloadable below.