Sydney fast-tracks new walking and cycle routes

The City of Sydney is creating new spaces for people walking and riding to allow for safer travel between workplaces, schools, healthcare and the city centre.

New walking and riding connections will be fast-tracked to ensure that people can get to around the city while maintaining physical distancing.

Lord Moore Clover Moore and NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance today announced six new temporary cycleways that will be opened within weeks.

The rapid roll-out of trial cycleways on key routes will provide an essential transport option for many residents of inner suburbs and reduce crowding on public transport. Walking paths and widened streets will allow people to maintain required physical distancing, connect to key locations and support local businesses.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that as restrictions continue to ease, there is an urgent need to support more people to walk and ride, and help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We already have an extensive program of cycleways and public domain improvements, but we need short term tactical measures that can be implemented in weeks,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The infrastructure we’ve chosen will be quick and simple to implement, adaptable and inexpensive.

“As our roads have been quieter during the pandemic, many people have decided to take up cycling. We’re hoping these safe cycleway connections help people keep that up. When someone rides to work, they take a car off the road or free up space on public transport – this will be even invaluable when people start returning to the City and seek to maintain physical distancing.”

Minister Constance said the new measures would help people remain safe while getting to and from work.

“We are already seeing our public transport system at capacity during peak periods with the need to physical distance and we want to offer the community more options to make their journeys safer,” Minister Constance said.

“We’ve been working closely with City of Sydney Council to identify key public spaces that could be freed up for cycling paths and prioritising pedestrians and cyclists to ensure safety.”

The City of Sydney and Transport for NSW will each install three new separated cycleways using a combination of barriers, line markings and lane dividers. The six locations that will be delivered first are:

The City and the NSW Government are also considering plans to deliver temporary cycleways on Oxford St in Paddington/Darlinghurst, King St in Newtown, and King St, College St and Castlereagh St in the CBD.

There will also be a rapid roll-out of temporary footpath widening in areas of high pedestrian activity in the CBD, as well as support for local businesses in inner-city village centres and along main streets.

The busy main streets of Newtown, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Ultimo and Glebe are top priority for providing extra space for people to walk and to support local businesses.

“The City will explore closing some city streets at lunch time, or temporarily widening footpaths to create more public space next to food and beverage offerings and enable clients and workers to get to and from work,” the Lord Mayor said.

“In Sydney, short trips by foot and bike have become the new norm, with a growing number of people walking or riding around their local area.

“In response, we’re looking at quick short-term changes, like 30km speed zones and shorter wait times for pedestrians at traffic lights and temporary changes to street layouts.”

The City of Sydney and NSW Government recently announced plans to extend George Street’s car-free zone in both directions between Bathurst Street and Campbell Street and extended in the southbound direction to Rawson Place. The existing temporary closure in the southbound direction from Bathurst Street to Campbell Street will be made permanent.

For media inquiries or images, contact Belinda Wallis. Phone 0467 810 160 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0436 816 604 or email [email protected]