New city cycle route to provide “missing link”

15 May 2006

A new cycle route allowing access to the CBD will provide a missing link in the network and promises to reduce car dependence, Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.

"The new bicycle route will improve access to the City with an overdue north-south link through the CBD,'' Ms Moore said.

The missing link along Kent Street will strengthen the growing cycleway network. The network includes a north-south link to the Harbour Bridge; west to Pyrmont and Anzac Bridges; and east to William Street and Park Street.

"The City recognises the potential for cycling to play a much greater transport role where large numbers of residents live and work within close proximity to each other," Ms Moore said.

"Kent Street is a strategic opportunity to provide high quality cycle access to the City and provide an important link to the north, east and west.

"A recent City survey confirmed that more people are looking at better and more efficient modes of transport. To support this, the City is developing a long-term Cycling Strategy to provide infrastructure to encourage cycling in the City.

"We have worked closely with the RTA, Bicycle NSW and local Bicycle User Groups to develop the Cycling Strategy, and are now seeking the views of other stakeholders to refine this important Kent Street project," Ms Moore said.

Alex Unwin, CEO of Bicycle NSW, said; "I congratulate the City of Sydney for recognising the importance of cycling as a sustainable mode of transport and the need to increase routes to meet the growing numbers of cyclists."

"A greater commitment to cycling infrastructure will not only ease congestion but promotes a healthy way of life," Mr Unwin said.

A City of Sydney survey into bicycle usage (carried out on a weekday morning from 7 am to 9 am) revealed a four-fold growth in cyclists using the Harbour Bridge and Oxford Street, compared to a 1996 count.

The number of cyclists using the Pyrmont Bridge has increased by almost eight times over the same period, while twice as many cyclists are using Ultimo Road.

The City of Sydney estimates that if just 200 CBD workers rode to work three days a week (based on a 10 km round journey), 65 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would be saved each year - equivalent to 15 cars off the road.

To encourage cycle usage, the City has installed more than 200 bicycle rings on smart poles throughout Kings Cross and the CBD, including George Street, College Street, Hickson Road and Elizabeth Street. The rings provide safe, stable localities for locking bikes.

Council gave in-principle support to the new cycleway in response to:

• The City's need for a more sustainable transport system, including bicycle riders; and
• The eight-fold increase in the number of cyclists entering the City in the past 10 years.

Proposed changes to Kent Street include:

• Traffic between Druitt and Erskine Streets changed from one-way to two-way; and
• Two 1.5 metre wider cycle lanes to be installed in each direction.

If endorsed following public consultation, works are scheduled to start in early 2007.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Lewis 0401 994 008
Mark Scala0400 119 875