Six new cycle lanes, separated bike paths planned for major roads in Sydney’s north

Plans for a dedicated bike lane on one of Sydney’s busiest highways has been revealed, as the NSW Government plans new cycleway infrastructure in preparation for a cyclist boom.

New bike routes are being planned to encourage the uptake of cycling in Sydney.

A dedicated bike lane could be built on one of northern Sydney’s busiest roads as cycle advocates lobby for more bike infrastructure on congested roads across the region.

Transport for NSW has released plans to create six new bike paths linking town centres across the lower north shore in a move to improve safety and encourage commuters to travel on two wheels, rather than four.

The new routes include a dedicated cycle lane along the Pacific Hwy between Blue St and West St at North Sydney, potentially created via a separated cycleway.

There is also a new path being planned between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and North Sydney’s CBD.

The path would connect to the controversial Harbour Bridge bike ramp project which is set to be built on the northern end of the bridge. 

A photo showing where a new bike connection could be built between Blue St and Lavender St to connect with the harbour bridge.

A new bike ramp is being planned for cyclists on the bridge which is currently accessed via more than 50 stairs.

The new link to North Sydney follows concerns by residents that cyclists using the ramp would be forced onto local roads and footpaths in the city’s north to complete their journeys.

Transport for NSW expects the ramp will be used by 2000 cyclists a day once built.

New bike routes are being planned on the north shore.

Julia Connor, the convener of the Milsons Point community precinct group, said the bike connection should be built before the harbour ramp is completed.

There is also a new path route planned between the Pacific Hwy at North Sydney to the new Ridge St shared user bridge which is being built as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.

Cycle advocates have supported the plans but believe several key connections are absent from the plans, including a continuous bike path between North Sydney and St Leonards.

Willoughby Council has recently completed a bike lane from Chatswood to St Leonards, however cyclists are forced onto roads or footpaths to continue the journey south to North Sydney.

An outline of the new Pacific Hwy bike route.

Russ Webber is advocating for more cycleways.

Cyclist Russ Webber has supported the plans for North Sydney but believes more routes should be built to connect the gaps in the region’s cycle network.

“The Pacific Hwy connection to West St is important and ideally the next stage will be the connection from North Sydney to St Leonards to achieve a more attractive bike network,” he said.

“North Sydney is a major problem for cyclists because when you’re heading north to Chatswood and Lane Cove you’ve got a significant uphill climb.

“You’re also having to use roads and footpaths and contend with the bus pollution and traffic which all creates a significant impediment.”

An outline of the new routes.

The six new routes planned by Transport for NSW form part of a review of active transport on the north shore which sets out the “priorities for the future walking and cycling network” in the region.

Transport for NSW is expecting the demand for cyclists to soar in coming years, partly driven by population growth and new residential developments in the region.

“As well as journey to work trips, there is also a growing demand in highly urbanised regions for cycling messengers to deliver parcels and food (because) delivery by cycling is a low-cost and attractive option for businesses,” the department stated.

“It is expected that the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway, as the only connector between two major CBDs, will attract a growth in these types of trips.”

In North Sydney, new bike routes are also being planned between the Pacific Hwy and the Victoria Cross Metro station which will have 160 bike parking spaces once it opens to passengers next year.

Transport for NSW said a possible option for this link would be a “quietway” on McLaren St that involves reducing lane widths “to create a low-speed environment that is safe for pedestrians and bike riders.”

The new paths have been partly prompted by the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade which was approved on conditions including the completion of a review of the cycling network.