Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp final design revealed

The final design of the Harbour Bridge’s new cycleway has been all but locked in but not everyone is happy, with one community group considering a legal bid to stop the project.

A final design has been revealed for a new bike ramp connecting to Sydney Harbour Bridge as neighbouring residents weigh up whether legal action can be taken to stop the project in its tracks.

A linear ramp has been announced as the preferred design for the long-planned project which will connect cyclists from Milsons Point to the northern end of the historic bridge.

Transport for NSW said the new ramp would cater for cyclists who currently have to dismount and carry their bikes down a flight of 55 steps between Burton St and the Harbour Bridge.

A concept designs of the winning design.

The project is also aimed to boost the number of cyclists crossing the Coathanger to more than 2000 each day.

A shortlist of three designs was released last year including a helix loop ramp, generating hundreds of submissions from residents.

Transport Minister Rob Stokes said the winning design had “responded imaginatively and sensitively” to the heritage of the area and the needs of the community.

A photo of the current steps.

An overview of the winning design.

“(It) will allow people of all ages and ability to ride along our most iconic landmark, making it an accessible and spectacular route for all,” he said.

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge was visionary when it was originally designed 90 years ago, now is the time to look ahead and deliver an equally forward-thinking extension of the bridge that will allow even more people to ride between the Sydney CBD and the north shore for work or leisure.”

Plans by Aspect Studios – the design behind the winning design – show the ramp is the longest of the three ramps considered by Transport for NSW.

A photo of the existing layout, including the steps (right).

It will measure three metres in width and will link the bridge to Bradfield Park North, meaning some cyclists will have to double back for those completing or starting their journeys via Burton St.

Neighbouring residents continue to raise concerns over the loss of green space required for the project, along with heritage impacts on the historic bridge.

Milsons Point Community Group convener Julia Connor said she was “dismayed” by the decision and are now considering the next steps including the possibility of a legal challenge.

The ramp will connect cyclists to Alfred Street North.

“We didn't want any of the three designs, there’s no way the community is happy with this,” she said.

“We asked for an alternative that was confined to Bradfield Park central and made no intrusion to Bradfield Park north.

“It’s just another case of local community concerns not being taken into consideration.

“Milsons Point has one of the lowest ratios of open green space per population, yes we have the water but you can’t do anything on the water unless you have a boat.

“The park is essential to break up the apartments and the bridge.

The existing layout of the bridge and steps.

“The cyclist lobby group has been trying to get this built for decades but the real problem isn’t the steps but the width of the cycle path on the bridge – it’s 2.4m wide and fixed in place by steel.

“Then to put a three metre wide veloway of the cycleway linking it to Alfred Street North doesn’t make sense.

“We’re not against cyclists, we understand their problem but we don't want the solution to come at the expense of where we live.”

North Shore MP Felicity Wilson said the preferred design team will now progress a detailed design with ongoing engagement with the community and other stakeholders.

“My local community has been vocal about the importance of the heritage and amenity of this place, and the need to protect and enhance public space,” she said.

“We will ensure these priorities and concerns continue to be reflected as the project progresses.”

The community will have a further chance to view the updated design and provide their feedback as part of the planning and heritage approval process.