The Australian New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced it is funding the construction of four new cycleways in Sydney as part of a $600m spend in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure across the state.

The NSW Government has awarded the city of Sydney around $7.5m for the projects as part of its active transport programme.

Separated routes

The programme will connect existing cycleways to create continuous, safe and separated routes with a view to helping people of all ages and riding abilities get in and out of the city centre.

Construction on the proposed new separated cycleways, bike crossing and shared path connections is scheduled to begin this financial year.

“We’re working in partnership with the NSW Government and other Sydney councils to build a connected bike network, which will provide a sustainable, convenient and healthy transport option for residents and visitors,” said Clover Moore, lord mayor of Sydney.

“Over a million people live within a 30-minute ride to the city centre. These new routes will keep people on bikes safely separated from traffic and encourage more people to commute by bike.”

The NSW Government said it is committed to encouraging healthy and active options to commuters.

Minister for Transport and Roads said the NSW Government is committed to encouraging healthy and active options to commuters.

“We are investing over $600 million into walking and cycling infrastructure. That’s the largest commitment in this state’s history,” added Andrew Constance, NSW minister for transport and roads.

Daily bike trips across the city of Sydney area have, reportedly, increased by 145 per cent from March 2010 to March 2019. At more than 20 sites, bike trips have tripled since independent counts began – with growth highest on the separated bike links.

“These new routes will keep people on bikes safely separated from traffic and encourage more people to commute by bike”

New figures released from the 2019 National Cycling Participation survey shows 17 per cent (around 41,000) of residents ride a bike each week.

Around 80 per cent of those surveyed have been riding continuously for a year or more, and more than half use a bike for transport – primarily for commuting to work, school or further education.

The new cycleways will be built on:

• Saunders and Miller streets in Pyrmont;
• Liverpool Street (between Sussex and Harbour streets) in the city centre;
• Chalmers Street (between Prince Alfred Park and Randle Street) in Surry Hills;
• Lawson Street (between Little Eveleigh and Wells streets) in Redfern.

Pyrmont cycleways:

• New cycleways along Miller and Saunders streets in Pyrmont will complete a traffic-free route between the Anzac Bridge and the city. There are already almost 1,500 peak hour weekday bike trips on this key cycling route – the equivalent of 30 full buses, or up to 1,200 cars;
• The proposed cycleways will connect people riding from Leichardt, Balmain and beyond to the Anzac Bridge and Union Square cycleway;
• Improvements are also proposed for people walking with three new paved intersections to calm traffic, and a new pedestrian crossing on Miller Street, near Miller Lane.

All trees and greenery along the route will be retained.

People who ride, walk, live and work in the area are encouraged to provide their feedback on the plans by 30 September before they are finalised.

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