Bike to the future
The future of Sydney transport is looking bright - at least for cyclists
By David Hayes
Bike lanes such as these proposed ones for Crown St in Surry Hills are about to become commonplace in Sydney
As part of the City of Sydney’s ambitious plan to improve the liveability of our city, the Council has announced plans to construct around 55km of separated cycle lanes around the city. Drawing on inspiration from cycling cities such as New York, Copenhagen, Paris and Amsterdam, the plans will move pedal pushers away from fast moving traffic and place them between the curb and parked cars. “It’s all about using the parked cars as a barrier,” says Josh MacKenzie, a spokesperson for City of Sydney Council.
“If we are to get people cycling we need to make them feel safe,” concurs Alex Unwin, CEO of Bicycle NSW. “A person on a bike weighs between 50 to 100kg and travels at 15 to 20km/h. That simply doesn’t mix with a 30 to 40 tonne vehicle traveling at 30 to 80 km/h.”
Bicycle trips in the City of Sydney local government area currently comprise about two per cent of total transport trips. By implementing this strategy the Council is hoping to increase the number of cyclists by about 500 per cent over the next 10 years. Sydney’s bicycling activist groups have overwhelmingly praised the plan and encouraged more local governments to follow the City of Sydney’s lead.
“It’s a well thought through strategy with no inherent weaknesses,” says Unwin, who cycles 10km from his home in Five Dock to work in the CBD each day. “It is an excellent piece of leadership which has been supported across party lines.”
Beyond offering sustainable transport infrastructure, obvious health benefits and reduced carbon emissions, Unwin believes the cycling strategy will be an important step to placing Sydney on the world stage. In today’s competitive global labour market, safe, efficient transport and a pleasant public realm are important for attracting skilled workers.
The strategy kicks off next month with the construction of a separate cycling lane in King Street in the CBD. City of Sydney is also working with CBD businesses to install facilities such as bike lockers and showers to encourage their employees to cycle to work. “The next step is for us to encourage other local governments to devote similar attention to cycling,” says Unwin. “It’s a story of missing links.”