Bold bike network plans for Sydney’s south east to help residents reach hot spots

A DEDICATED bike lane from Centennial Park to La Perouse is just part of a bold new plan to prioritise pedal power in the south east.

Cycle paths are desperately needed in the south east. Picture: Jenny Evans

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A DEDICATED bike lane from Centennial Park to La Perouse is just part of a bold new plan to prioritise pedal power in the south east.

Following community consultation in 2015, Randwick Council has prepared an 11-point bike plan for a network of cycleways which could provide leverage for external funding.

The council has committed $329,100 in the next financial year to get the plan off the ground.

“The aim of the plan is to create links for people riding bicycles between key destinations, such as commercial centres, beaches, the UNSW and the City of Sydney, and connecting with other sustainable transport modes, such as light rail,” a council spokesman said.

Based on feedback received and taking into account the construction timetable for the light rail, a priority list for the routes was determined.

“This priority may alter if funding is received from other sources,” he said.

Map of Randwick bike plan

First up is to provide a protected bike lane along Anzac Pde, from the university down to Kingsford, one of council’s busiest and most supported bike routes.

Other routes include dedicated links between The Spot and Coogee Beach, Centennial Park to Clovelly Beach and Gordon’s Bay, Anzac Pde and Heffron Park, and an east/west bike link between Eastgardens and Maroubra Beach.

Eastgardens resident, member of Botany Bikes and father-of-two Robbie Allen said it was “the start of a truly connected cycling network for the eastern suburbs.”

“I’m hoping the introduction of bike lanes will provide access to key community destinations and importantly encourage prospective cyclists — those who are interested, although hesitant about its safety — to then take it up as a mode of transport and reap the benefits that cycling can provide,” Mr Allen said.

“I’ve been riding into the city and am loving every minute of the efficient commute ... where you zoom past bumper to bumper cars and buses in the morning.”

THE NEXT GENERATION

ROBBIE ALLEN hopes the future cycle routes will create a “built-in” active lifestyle for the next generation.

“These paths offer confidence that children from these families can soon ride their bikes to school, to sport, to the beach or the shops like we did when we were young,” he said.

Robbie Allan with his daughter at Heffron Park. Picture: Jenny Evans

Living next door to Heffron Park, Mr Allen said he witnessed the weekly struggles of parents navigating peak sport times in order to drop off and pick up their children

“If some kids had a safe route to ride with their friends to sport or even to the beach, I’m sure some of these challenges could be overcome, with parents concerns kept in check.”

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But he said more needed to be done to raise awareness of the 1m buffer rule.

“The recent tragic death on Denison street just meters from the end of the Banks St cycleway reaffirms the need for greater infrastructure and cycle-awareness,” he said.

The 1m rule between cars and bikes was introduced in 2016 after data showed 1500 cyclists were seriously injured in NSW each year.