Oxford St cycleway: NSW Government to reopen public consultation over controversial plans

A proposed cycleway on one of Sydney’s busiest roads will be reopened for debate – with public servants to “knock on doors” – following criticism from residents and business owners.

A cycleway has been proposed for Oxford St. Picture: Julian Andrews

Controversial plans for a proposed cycleway on one of Sydney’s busiest roads will be reopened for debate following criticism from residents and business owners.

The extraordinary step from Transport Minister Jo Haylen comes three months after the state government stopped taking feedback on the plans.

Two years ago, the Liberal-National government with the assistance of City of Sydney decided to move the pop-up cycleway – erected in 2020 – on Moore Park Rd to Oxford St.

The plans had been slated for approval by City of Sydney and Woollahra councils, as well as the former government, with the city’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore saying there was an “appetite for cycling infrastructure” in the city.

It sparked backlash from business owners and residents, with plans to slash the number of traffic lanes from four to two, to make way for the cycleway between Paddington Gates and Taylor Square. Major concerns included traffic congestion, safety and loss of business.

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore supports the cycleway. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

Now, Ms Haylen has pulled away from the former state government’s stance. A spokesman for Ms Haylen said for Oxford St to “potentially replace the Moore Park cycleway, consultation needs to be done properly”.

“The minister has directed Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to reopen consultation with the community, local businesses and councils. The consultation process will help us develop a concept design and final business case for the project.”

It will see TfNSW “knock on doors” to speak with relevant community members.

The spokesman said it was “vital we establish a safe cycling link between the east and the CBD” to give commuters in the eastern suburbs an active transport alternative.

“For every person who rides a bike from Sydney’s east to the CBD, that’s one extra seat free on a bus or one less car on the road” which would result in less congestion.

Although there has been a number of community members rejecting the move to Oxford St, a number of sporting bodies, including Rugby Australia have argued against keeping the cycleway on Moore Park Rd.

Oxford Street in Paddington where there is a plan to halve the number of traffic lanes to accommodate a new cycleway on Oxford St, between Paddington Gates and Taylor Square. Pics by Julian Andrews

Rugby Australia has described the pop-up bike path as “extremely dangerous” and highlighted “numerous near misses” between bikes and pedestrians along the cycleway.

Its chief financial officer Richard Gardham has called for the path to be removed, saying it poses a “real and immediate public health and safety risk” and similar concerns have been raised by State Government agency Venues NSW which said it impedes access for emergency vehicles and people in wheelchairs.

The two-way separated bike path was constructed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic and was due to remain in place until mid this year.

However, a spokesman from TfNSW said the Moore Park Rd cycleway is under the responsibility of City of Sydney which decided to approve its continued operation until May 2026, “or until the Oxford St east cycleway is opened for use”.

In wake of the decision, Ms Moore said “we welcome a more extensive consultation process that involves all stakeholders”.

“We’re looking forward to working with Transport for NSW to get this crucial cycleway built,” she said.