- Six routes were originally trialled across Sydney
- Pitt St, Henderson Rd, and Bridge St cycleways to become permanent
- Greater Sydney saw 40% more cyclists, Pitt St saw 500% more
Sustainable transport continues to grow across Australia, with both public and private sectors getting into the fast-cycling lane.
Some context
Recently, Canberra announced the “Make a Move” initiative which encourages Canberrans to shift towards green transport options.
The programme includes a six-week trial for ACT workplaces, whereby electric bicycles and scooters are offered as both a home-to-work travel solution but also an option for workers to head to meetings to and from offices.
Cycling saw many bike shops emptied in the earlier days of the pandemic as people looked for ways to get their exercise, but also saw the continued rise of cycling tourism.
Bike Hotels is an online platform that launched in March to connect cyclists with bike-friendly accommodation.
Considered the ‘new golf’, the project was embarked on by former Tour de France competitor Matteo Bono.
Cycling lane pop-up to permanent
Sydney had been trialling pop-up cycle lanes since mid-August 2020.
The routes ran along major CBD roads such as Pitt Street, and five other roads including Sydney Park Road, Henderson Road, Dunning Avenue, Moore Park Road, and Pyrmont Bridge Road.
“Build it and they will come” goes one philosophy, and that seems the case here.
“The City [of Sydney] is now drawing up designs for permanent separated cycleways on Pitt Street in the CBD and Henderson Road, Railway Parade and Bridge Street in Erskineville.”
The City of Sydney
Original plans were to have the pop-ups around for two years, the City of Sydney said two will become permanent, and, “the remaining cycleways on City-controlled roads will stay in place [while] further monitoring, consultation and evaluation takes place.”
Additional routes have also been identified.
“Concept designs for a cycleway along the missing link on Liverpool Street outside the Downing Centre and the return of the popular College Street cycleway have also been given the green light.”
City of Sydney
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the cycleways were a response to Covid, and was “a key element of its emergency transport response.”
“Recent Covid outbreaks underscore how important our investment in wider footpaths and separated cycleways will be in helping to prevent the disease from spreading.”
The number of people hitting the tarmac on two wheels has also turned heads. “Across Greater Sydney, there has been a 40% increase in people riding since the pop-ups were installed,”
“The growth in people using the Pitt Street cycleway is unprecedented, with a 500 per cent increase in the number of people riding there.”
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor, City of Sydney
