“One of the biggest issues [of cycling in the city] is the
perception of safety.
At the moment cyclists have no choice but to share the road
with the cars.
Many are put off, as they see it as too unsafe,” says Andrew
Dodds from BikeSydney and member of the Sydney Traffic Committee.
But with plans for a new bike path connecting Woolloomooloo
to Zetland set to start construction late this year, Sydney’s centre may yet get the revamp
it needs.
The planned path, will start at Cowper Wharf,
Woolloomooloo, and run along right up Bourke
Street through Taylor Square, Phillip Street Redfern and
Elizabeth Street Zetland.
“The cycleway is part of our ambitious Cycling Strategy,
adopted in 2007, to increase the cycling route network to almost 200
kilometres,” says the Sydney City Council.
“This has been a long time coming,” says Andrew Dodds, of
BikeSydney.
“The current council is very good and has set out a
comprehensive plan for bicycle paths … Even though we have had bike plans in
the past, most of it was just lip service.”
Adrian Emilsen, Ride2Work Project Manager of Bicycle NSW
agrees, saying, “Council has been very proactive about increasing the use of
bicycles and people on them.”
“It’s one thing to build bike paths. It’s another to educate
people about bike safety and actually getting them on the paths,” Mr Emilsen
continues. “I think the council has been quite comprehensive in looking at both
aspects.”
According to Council’s research, Sydneysiders say there is
too much traffic on roads to cycle and people would ride more if there were
dedicated bicycle lanes.
Mr Emilsen believes that once the council’s bike plans are
implemented, commuting in and around the city will be made much easier.
“It’s just as easy to take a bike into the centre of the
city to get around. It’s quicker, easier, you don’t have to worry about parking
spaces.”
Source: South Sydney Herald April 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au