Cycle Network Moves Forward
From eNews 426 – Friday, 5 December 2008
The City's commitment to a safe and usable cycle network moves forward this month, with further consultation and new implementation reports to be considered by Council. Making everyday bike travel possible is a congestion and greenhouse gas reduction strategy that is working in many countries, and directly within the City's responsibility as a local government authority.
As we face the dual threats of global warming and a world financial crisis, there is an urgent need to invest in sustainable urban infrastructure. The City has committed $70 million for cycling works during the next four years, and is calling on the Federal Government to contribute $295 million to help a collaboration of 15 inner city councils build connecting cycleways.
In our consultations for Sustainable Sydney 2030, Sydneysiders told us they want action on global warming. Our 2030 vision sets targets for a drastic 70 per cent reduction in emissions on 2006 levels by 2030, and lays out diverse strategies including localised electricity production, improved waste collection treatment and, importantly, alternatives to private vehicles.
Our first safer, separated cycleway is already under construction in King Street in the CBD. This is an important link for cyclists travelling across Pyrmont Bridge to and from the Inner West. We also recently consulted on the next step of this route along Union Street in Pyrmont, with submissions now being assessed by City staff.
Next Wednesday 10 December the City will hold a consultation meeting on draft designs for a separated cycleway and streetscape upgrade on Missenden Road. The proposal involves new trees, landscaping, paving, lighting and traffic calming treatments as part of a separated cycleway from Pyrmont Bridge Road Camperdown to King Street Newtown. The cycleway will encourage more University students and commuters to use this already popular route.
Our transport planners have also looked at how to create a coherent network more quickly by focusing on areas where major construction work is not needed. Our Cycle Strategy and Action Plan identifies 55km of separated cycleways and up to 35km could be implemented with minor work to separate cyclists from traffic and parked vehicles. These lanes will be painted green and more comprehensive work, including intersection treatments, could be carried out at a later date.
Next Monday, Council's Planning, Development and Transport Committee will also consider detailed designs for a comprehensive street upgrade of Bourke Street from the Harbour to Green Square, including a new separated cycleway from Woolloomooloo to Redfern and a shared pedestrian and cycle path through Waterloo and Zetland.
The Bourke Street designs have been extensively revised and further developed following feedback from community consultation between March and June. Seventy-five per cent of submissions received (631 out of 842) supported the cycleway, with Council staff working to address concerns raised, such as safety, parking and trees.
The revised designs for the continuous 4.3 km bike path along Bourke Street:
Protect existing street trees and increase the number of street trees and planting. Only five small or poorly performing trees will be replaced, with more than 70 new street trees.
Increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, including new traffic lights at major intersections, new pedestrian crossings and new treatments low volume intersections.
Keep parking losses to a minimum, with further work still underway to identify new parking opportunities nearby. The losses are mainly to protect trees and meet RTA safety requirements at traffic lights and intersections.
The Committee will consider the Bourke Street cycleway after 5pm on Monday, 8 June. The detailed plans are on the City's website and on display on Level 3 of Town Hall House, outside the Council Chamber. Speakers are welcome to address the committee and should register with secretariat on 9265 9310 before 12 noon on Monday.
Councillors will also consider on Monday a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians on College Street, along the eastern edge of Hyde Park. This is a major upgrade from Liverpool Street to Macquarie Street, with new paving and lighting, and including significant improvements to the intersection with Macquarie Street.
The existing footpath is extremely narrow, unusable in places, and the widening the path to a minimum of three metres to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, will require the removal of 52 parking spaces. The proposal also includes replacing parts of the Hyde Park boundary wall with sandstone to complement the heritage walls around the rest of the park.
As we build this vital infrastructure, more people will feel safe and confident to ride their bikes, taking cars off Sydney roads, and reducing congestion and pollution.
Information
Cycleways Implementation: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/ParkingAnd...
Reports to Committee on Bourke Street and College Street detailed designs: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCom..., including information about speaking to committee.
Community Consultation for Missenden Road Cycleway: Wednesday 10 December, 6.30pm to 8pm, Rydges Hotel, 9 Missenden Road, Camperdown.
Further Information: David Robinson, City Liaison Officer, telephone 9265 9333 or email cycleways@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
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