The WA Government yesterday released designs for Perth Park that includes a two-circuit criterium facility that will be available for people to ride and race bikes from 2027.

We gathered the thoughts of pro rider Mackenzie Coupland (LIV AlUla Jayco) and 2019 Australian road race champion Michael Freiberg (Unicorn), along with WestCycle CEO Wayne Bradshaw. [see video]

While the fundamental design of the 1km and 1.4km circuits is confirmed, finer details are still up for grabs, and the Perth Park project managers have opened a consultation to guide the final stage of design before construction begins early next year.

Have your say and make sure the project managers are across elements of the facility like lighting, vehicle access, multidirectional use, scoreboards, timing, PAs, bike parking, toilets, drop off zones and more.

Give input here: Multi-use Track | Perth Park or email: perthpark@mainroads.wa.gov.au

What they’re saying…🗣️

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti: “We had an incredible event earlier this year [Road Nats criterium] – over 10,000 took to the streets of Northbridge to see what was a dedicated criterium. But to do that it costs a lot of money – it’s traffic management. There’s enormous costs involved in holding street races because of traffic management. This avoids that. It also gives dedicated places for younger people to learn and it’s centrally located.”

Michael Freiberg: “It’s fantastic, it’s been a long time coming. WA is the leader for developing cycling talent for Australia – we Jai Hindley, Ben O’Connor, Luke Durbridge – everyone’s come out of WA. And to have the infrastructure being built here now is pretty incredible.”

Mackenzie Coupland: “It’s very exciting. We haven’t had something this close to the city before so it will be really nice to have a lot more people join in and come closer together as a community.”

Wayne Bradshaw: “We’ll have two facilities that are closed facilities that will enable clubs to race, to train, for the public to use it, for recreational riders, and it’s a big boost for cycling in WA – it’s probably the biggest game changer we’ve had for a long time, something the cycling community has been working towards for a very long time.”