City and Community Working Together to Design Bourke Street Cycleway

14 May 2008

Local communities from Woolloomooloo to Waterloo are helping the City of Sydney get the designs right for the 4.3 kilometre Bourke Street Cycleway.

City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone said that the City of Sydney is releasing draft concept maps of the whole project so that local communities along the route can have their say.

"When the cycleway is completed there will be more trees along the route while increasing safety for cyclists and upgrading the streetscape," Ms Barone said.

"The City of Sydney is distributing maps showing concept designs for the cycleway to homes and businesses in and around Bourke Street. These maps are the next stage in engaging the community following an introductory pamphlet distributed to more than 22,000 residents in March and a localised door knocking program undertaken by Council staff in recent weeks. Working together with the local community, we will get the best final design for the cycleway.

"In major cities across the world, such as London, New York, Melbourne and Copenhagen, cycling is gaining in popularity as a healthy and environmentally friendly transport option. The City is working to ensure Sydney has cycleways that are safe and convenient for everyone to use", Ms Barone added.

The planned Bourke Street cycle route runs 4.3 km from Elizabeth Street in Zetland to Cowper Wharf Road in Woolloomooloo with the initial 1.1 km, south of Phillip Street, Redfern/Waterloo, a shared pedestrian and cycleway. From there to the harbour, there will be a two-directional bicycle path. This bicycle path will be located between the footpath and the parked traffic lane on the western side of the street. The bicycle path will be separated from the parked traffic by a median strip.

"The City of Sydney is holding local community information forums on the draft design plans on 24 May and I encourage residents and local businesses to attend," said Ms Moore.

The community can comment on the draft designs for the cycleway until 6 June 2008.