North Sydney residents raise 11th hour petition against cycleway project next to Sydney Harbour Bridge

A state government-designed ramp to save cyclists from climbing 55 steps to the Sydney Harbour Bridge has faced 40 years of opposition. Now, an 11th hour effort to stop it has been launched.

Transport for NSWs Linear cycle ramp source tNSW

A last-ditch effort to stop a cycle ramp 40 years in the making from being constructed next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been launched, but an advocate has hit back, saying NIMBY opposition is “not a new phenomenon”.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Northern Access Project – to be delivered by Transport for NSW – is in its final stages of development before construction begins.

But the plan still needs the Heritage Council of NSW‘s approval and an environmental impact assessment.

The proposal would upgrade the existing bike path connection between the existing Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway and the bike network in Milsons Point with a new ramp and link to a new cycle path along Alfred Street at Milsons Point.

Transport for NSW’s final design for the linear cycle ramp. Source: TfNSW.

TfNSW has said the new ramp would remove the need to carry bikes up and down 55 stairs, making it “easier and safer for young families, tourists and people commuting on heavy e-bikes to use the bridge”.

But at the 11th hour, a community group launched an online petition – currently at almost 6400 signatures – denouncing the project.

Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney landscape. Picture: Rae Wilson

Some residents have also posted to community groups on social media encouraging people to flood the heritage council online submissions portal with letters of opposition to counter those lodging their support.

The change.org petition website argues the cycle ramp “invades the heritage space and visual enjoyment of one of Australia’s icons – the Sydney Harbour Bridge” as well as inconveniencing commuters by relocating bus stops and impacting local businesses.

Alternate designs have been proposed by community groups and North Sydney Council opposed the cycleway designs proposed in 2017 and 2021.

Peter McLean, Chief Executive Officer, Bicycle NSW

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean, whose group has actively supported the cycleway – including the final design – said more than 2000 cyclists used the harbour bridge daily, and the new cycleway would reduce congestion.

“We‘re facing the same challenge that plenty of other developed cities are facing,” he said.

“We’re running out of space in plenty of places in Sydney … and we can’t build more roads”.

Mr McLean accepted the construction would impact the surrounding area, including closing most of the nearby parks, but said it would benefit the wider community overall.

The bike stairs leading onto Sydney Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point. Picture: Renee Nowytarger.

“Our Sydney Harbour Bridge is iconic for so many reasons,” Mr McLean said, adding he believed it “can be an iconic tourist [destination] and cycleway at the same time”.

“We’d love to see that go forward as soon as possible”.

A TfNSW spokeswoman said it had engaged closely with the North Sydney community and stakeholders throughout the project.

The spokeswoman said the public display of the review of environmental factors (REF) received more than 1000 submissions, most of which were supportive of the project, with prior engagement showing “significant community support” for the final ‘linear’ design.

Following the outcome of the Heritage application, submissions received during the REF public display will be considered and addressed in a final report.