Sydney continues to utilise pop-up cycleways to close gaps in the CBD bicycle network, announcing three new separated bike lanes on Oxford Street, Liverpool Street and College Street.
The proposed 1.7 kilometre pilot cycleways will include an interesting two-way cycleway down the centre of Oxford Street and Liverpool Street.
The plan also includes the reinstitution of a two-way cycleway on the western side of College Street, which the government ripped up in 2015, despite community protests.
Jointly funded by the City of Sydney and the NSW Government, the cycleways will be built with lightweight materials allowing for the same level of protection, but faster installation.
Separated cycleways are the gold standard for reducing risk for people who ride and will help encourage even more people to move around the city by bike.
Council reports that more 2,000 bike trips are already taken along Oxford Street every day. It also has the most reported bike crashes of any street in the city area, with around 10 per cent of riders resorting to riding on the footpath.
The unique centre lane design on both Oxford Street and Liverpool Street creates a safe, fast and direct corridor for people riding into the CBD, offering protection and separation from buses, taxi ranks, loading zones and parking.
However, the design may make it difficult for people riding bikes to stop and access shops or cafes along the way – a key consideration as our businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
See the detailed design slides here.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore told the Sydney Morning Herald, “cycling numbers have grown significantly over recent years, especially during COVID when many took to cycling for the first time.
"We want to continue to deliver an alternate safe transport option that ensures equitable access to our roads, increases safety and reduces footpath cycling."
With increasing numbers of people riding bikes in and around Sydney, Bicycle Network congratulates the City of Sydney and NSW Government for its rapid response and ongoing commitment to provide space for active and healthy transport alternatives.
Work is scheduled to start in March 2021 and be completed by June 2021.
Public consutlation on the cycleways is open from 18 November 2020 to 18 December 2020
Have your say on the new cycleways here.
The new Oxford Street cycleway will connect the eastern suburbs and Bourke Street to the city centre via new Liverpool Street and College Street links (yes, we're bringing College Street back)! pic.twitter.com/53PgcCTCox
— Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) November 18, 2020
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