Sydney's $70M project
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Sydney is spending $70m on bike infrastructure over the next four years, a figure that once seemed improbable for an Australia city. We are tracking their progress.
The City of Sydney has allocated $76 million over the next four years to build a 200km cycling network, including 55km of separated cycleways, as part of a strategy to increase the number of people choosing cycling as a safe, sustainable and healthier transport option.
The plan will also help reduce traffic congestion, in line with the City's Sustainable Sydney 2030 Plan.
The City's target is that by 2016, 10 per cent of all trips will be made by bike.
"The Council has a vision to restore Taylor Square to a people-friendly precinct. We are looking at ways to activate the area through improved urban design, to make it a more lively, vibrant, attractive and safe public area," Ms Moore said.
Clover grows Sydney's bike appetite
12 March 2009. The key to winning support for Sydney's dramatic increases in bike spending was continuous, thorough and open engagement with the community, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has told a Melbourne audience.
Her plan to spend $70M in four years to build city wide path network aroused heated opposition at first. Residents who imagined that their on-street parking would be threatened campaigned vigorously against her, but her independent team won an increased majority.
Now Sydney has embarked on Australia's most ambitious build out of a bike network: 200 kilometres in total, with 55 kilometres of separated cycleways and the rest comprising dedicated and shared bike paths.
This is a 20-fold increase in the City's budget for bike infrastructure.
This level of investment, essential if Australian cities are to adapt to a carbon economy, has long been considered impossible in Australia,
"Our goal is to have 10 per cent of all trips undertaken by bicycle by 2017 -- that's a 500 per cent increase," the Lord Mayor said.
"Our research shows that 56 per cent of occasional cyclists will not cycle because of the perceived danger from other traffic."
Sydney City has a team of 20 people working on its bike projects, supplemented by consultants and contractors.
The Lord Mayor was in Melbourne to speak at a Bicycle Victoria seminar held to expose Victoria's councils and government to the advances across the state border.
Download the full text of Clover Moore's speech.
Vital lessons from Sydney - Seminar
The City of Sydney is racing ahead with a network of cycleways in Australia¹s largest single investment ever in bicycle infrastructure.
Part of Sydney¹s 2030 vision, the network is one of the boldest undertaken by a major international city and contains vital lessons for all urban policy makers and those interested in transforming transport.
The City has committed $70m over four years to build 55km of mainly separated off road routes in and through the CBD.
The aim is for bike riding to be an equal transport choice for residents, workers and visitors, delivering 10% of journeys by bike.
This is an outstanding networking opportunity as Mayors, Councillors, CEOs and professionals in local government gather to be informed by the City of Sydney of approach, and inspired to match or exceed the achievement.
Your organisation can send people to one or both of these crucial, insightful sessions.
See our summary of the King and Bourke Street routes.
Session One
15.00 - 17.00
Audience: traffic engineers, transport planners, urban designers, town planners, infrastructure managers, sustainability professionals.
Presenter: Graham McCabe, Senior Traffic Network Manager, City of Sydney Graham is responsible for the City of Sydney Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2017. The City has asked him to accelerate the delivery of 55km of mainly separated off road routes in and through the CBD.
He will run an interactive seminar on design options considered and approved, negotiations with the State Road Authority (RTA), abutting landholders and adjoining Councils.
Graham McCabe will lead us through the details of formulating the plan, its scope and extent, the professional and technical issues, the co-ordination with State and local governments, and representatives of other transport modes, as well as costs and budgets, obstacles and progress to date.
Participants at the seminar are invited to stay for post seminar drinks and networking.
Session Two:
1830 - 2130
Audience: Mayors, Councillors, Local members of Parliament, political advisers and policy staff. People interested in transport, and urban environment, urban design and similar issues from a personal or professional point of view are also welcome.
Speaker: Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor, City of Sydney Clover Moore has been a forthright advocate of increasing bike riding. She faced a significant challenge to her pro bike policies at the 2008 election and was returned with an increased majority.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore will explain the passion, and the politics, behind the policy. How can an Australian city achieve such a radical change in thinking about transport, and the budget to go with it, and still bring its community along?
'The reality is we don¹t have a choice, there is an urgent need for investment in sustainable urban infrastructure as we face the threat of global warming and a world financial crisis.'
'Priority must be given to investing in green infrastructure‹projects which will make our urban areas more sustainable and better equipped for the future‹while providing health improvements, jobs for our community and benefits for the economy.'
Guests at the dinner are invited to come at 1830 for pre dinner drinks.
Booking
Places are limited so book early.
Bookings close 1700 Monday 23 February 2009
Session One: $150
Session Two: $150
Both sessions: $250
Payment can be made by credit card over the phone (03) 8636 8888 or fax (03) 8636 8800.
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