I want to raise serious safety concerns regarding the Wentworth Avenue shared bike path between Mascot and Eastgardens, particularly when used at night.

Large sections of this bike path are extremely dark, to the point where it is impossible to see obstacles on the path. Low-hanging tree branches further reduce visibility and require urgent pruning. Compounding this issue, the strong headlights from oncoming vehicles along Wentworth Avenue are blinding, leaving cyclists effectively riding without vision. On a recent ride, I was forced to stop cycling altogether until cars had passed, simply to avoid riding blind.

This makes the route unsafe for night-time cycling. Importantly, this is the only route between Eastgardens and Mascot that offers a dedicated bike path, and many cyclists rely on it as a safe alternative to riding on the road. In its current condition, it does not meet that expectation.

There are also specific sections of concern:

Between Baker Street and Bay Street, the path narrows into a very tight footpath. This section has concealed driveways hidden by overgrown bushes, as well as pedestrian traffic, creating a high risk of collisions.
Between Denison Street and Cornish Circuit, tree roots have lifted the surface and there are low-hanging branches, making this section particularly difficult and unsafe to ride through.
I respectfully suggest the following improvements:
A. From Denison Street to Bay Street, consider installing a dedicated on-road bike lane to avoid the narrow and hazardous shared path conditions.
B. From Bay Street to Sutherland Street, install street lighting along the bike path and add additional reflector posts to improve night-time visibility and safety.
C. Ongoing maintenance, including pruning of low-hanging branches and removal of overgrown vegetation, along the entire route.

These changes would significantly improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and encourage active transport along this important corridor.