Overview
If you cycle through the city on the regular, but have ever fallen victim to the chaos of Oxford Street, here's some good news. The City of Sydney has announced the CBD is getting a new cycleway, running from Taylor Square to the city centre. The protected path will travel for 1.7 kilometres through the middle of Oxford, Liverpool and College streets, connecting some of Sydney's busiest cycling routes.
By running the cycleway through the centre of Oxford Street, it won't impact the bus lane, parking, taxi ranks and loading zones that currently occupy the sides of the street. The cycleway aims to reduce traffic and increase safety on Oxford Street, one of Sydney's busiest bike routes and one of its least safe. According to the Council, over 2000 bike trips are taken down Oxford each day and it has the most reported crashes of any street in the area.
This Oxford Street bike path announcement follows the expansion of Sydney's cycleways back in June, which saw the creation of temporary cycle lanes in Erskineville, Pyrmont, Rosebery and the CBD.
A map of the new Oxford Street cycleway
The cycleways are part of a larger City of Sydney plan to breathe new life into Oxford Street, including the expansion of cultural spaces on the street. "The proposed cycleway will help reduce the impact of noise and pollution, provide a safe space for people to ride on the road, and encourage people to stop and enjoy local cafes, restaurants and local businesses," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore in a statement.
Work on the cycleway is expected to start May 2021 and be completed by June. The City of Sydney is currently running a four-week community consultation and you can give your feedback at the Sydney Your Say website.
While next year's Mardi Gras is happening at the SCG, future parades won't be impacted by the cycleway. Thanks to "easily removable" separators, it can be packed away for big events.
Read more information on the newly proposed cycleways at the City of Sydney's website.