Will Newtown cycleways prevent cyclist-motorist squabbles?

Cyclists and motorists will eventually have fewer battles for the road at Newtown, with work to install two cycleways to begin next month.

An artist’s impression of the cycleway for Wilson St, Newtown. Picture: City of Sydney

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Cyclists and motorists will eventually have fewer battles for the road at Newtown, with work to install two cycleways to begin next month.

The City of Sydney will begin works for cycleways on Burren and Wilson streets, where many cyclists share the road with traffic.

An artist's impression of the Wilson St cycleway. Picture: City of Sydney.

The cycleways will provide a 1.2km route, separated from traffic, to help people ride between Newtown and the city as well as east to Bondi Junction.

Some motorists had been concerned 37 parking spaces would be lost to accommodate the cycleways, as first proposed in 2017.

However the council has since created new spaces and drop-off zones to ensure no loss of parking.

An artist’s impression of the Wilson St cycleway. Picture: City of Sydney

Most of these spaces have been provided in Copeland Ave, Forbes Lne and Holdsworth and Randle streets.

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said there had been extensive community consultation.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the changes will support the 9,000 bike trips made along the Wilson Street route each week, and encourage more people to walk and ride.

“These improvements will make those journeys safer and encourage more women, children and less confident riders to join the growing number of people riding bikes to travel around our city,” she said.

Cr Moore said the project also included safety measures such as new pedestrian crossings, upgrading lighting and planting more trees and gardens.

The project includes a bike lane at nearby Pine St, and upgraded shared areas at Leamington Lane.

The state government is also funding the works.