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Four new bike paths for Sydney

Four new separated cycleways will be built in the City of Sydney after Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance yesterday announced state government funding.

And it's not just bike riders that should be excited. With over 1 million people living within 30-minutes of the city centre, this new network of bike paths has the potential to drastically improve the lives of all Sydneysiders.

The bike lanes will not only improve the heath of people by making it easier to get their daily dose of physical activity, the lanes will also help ease the congestion and pollution crisis that is choking the city.

"Every person who cycles in to work takes a car off the road or leaves a seat free on our buses and trains," said Ms Moore.

“The most exciting thing about this program is that we’re connecting existing cycleways, creating continuous, safe and separated routes to help people of all ages and riding abilities get in and out of the city centre."

The NSW Government has awarded the City of Sydney around $7.5 million for the projects as part of its active transport program.

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

The investment from the NSW government into making Sydney an easier placer for people to ride bikes couldn't have come sooner.

Daily bike trips across the City of Sydney have increased by 145 per cent since 2010, and the city reports over 20 sites where bike trips have tripled, with growth highest in the areas where there are safe, separated bike links. 

This correlation between higher commuter numbers and safer places to ride is consistent with Bicycle Network's super counts data from cities all around Australia. 

Construction of the new cycleways is expected to begin in 2020, with plans for the Pyrmont link along Miller and Saunders streets currently open for community feedback until 30 September.

This proposed Prymont cycleway will complete a traffic-free route between the Anzac Bridge and the city, connecting people riding from Leichardt, Balmain and beyond to the Anzac Bridge and Union Square cycleway.

See the plans and have your say here.

Artist impression of the new cycleway on Miller Street, from the City of Sydney