​Upper Fort Street/Southern Harbour Cycleway
The long-overdue connection between the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway and the Sydney CBD remains incomplete and unfunded. The current shared path presents serious safety concerns for both bike riders and pedestrians, including hundreds of young children walking and riding to Fort Street Public School. The risk of conflict and injury will only be exacerbated when the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway northern access ramp opens in mid-2025. This new ramp will encourage many more bike riders to cross the harbour, including previously-excluded riders of heavier e-bikes and cargo bikes, posing increased danger to pedestrians.
Safety is Paramount
An unlikely alliance of residents, cyclists and parents are pushing for a cycleway ramp at the southern end of the Harbour Bridge to be resurrected because they fear a choke point created by the state’s transport agency will lead to serious injuries or death.
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The situation on upper Fort Street, where cyclists, pedestrians and cars are funneled into a congested narrow road and then a shared path during Fort Street Public School drop-off and pick-up, has become “absurd”, parents say.
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Reference smh.com.au
Despite a budget of $72.3 billion announced in September 2023, only 0.13%—or less than $3 per person in NSW—has been allocated to walking and cycling infrastructure. In a time of increasing roadway congestion and rising cost of living, the ability to ride to work is not just a "nice to have" but an essential element in a global city like Sydney.
How YOU can help advocate for a better Southern Harbour Cycleway
1. Sign the petition.
The most important thing you can do is sign the petition. This shows politicians that the community supports the proposal, despite noisy opposition and negative media coverage.
Please also share the petition with friends or family who are excited about a safe, protected Southern Harbour Cycleway!
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2. Write to your local politician
Even a quick email saying you support the reconfiguration of the Southern Harbour Cycleway - to reduce traffic, create a safe cycleway, widen footpaths and improve public spaces - will help elected representative hear positive sentiment and swing the pendulum to political support.
Here are some state MPs for nearby electorates:
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Sydney - Alex Greenwich
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Vaucluse - Kellie Sloane
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Coogee - Marjorie O'Neil
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Newtown - Jenny Leong
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Heffron - Ron Honeig
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3. Write to the Transport for NSW project team
It is essential to put pressure on the NSW Government to deliver this much-needed project. Transport for NSW must adhere to its excellent policies and strategies, and reallocate road space for wider footpaths and a best-practice cycleway.
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4. Encourage your favourite businesses to display a We Loves Bikes sticker.
These will be delivered to shops. The more stickers on walls, the greater the spirit of ‘bonhomie’ around bikes on the Southern Harbour Cycleway. Reluctant businesses and residents will not be able to resist the fun, colourful, inclusive vibes that an explosion in bike riding will bring!
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5. Become a Bicycle NSW Member
Support our advocacy and ride with peace of mind knowing that you are covered by our global comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member only benefits
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6. Join your local Bicycle User Group
In the Eastern Suburbs, please contact BIKEast. They hold meetings on the first Tuesday of every month, which can be found on the Meetup group.
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7. Sign up to our campaign for Better Streets
Better Streets is a coalition of planners, advocates, community groups, pedestrian and bicycle groups that are working to support local and state governments roll back 70 years of car-centric planning.
8. Donate to the Environmental Trust which funds our campaigns for safer infrastructure.
Did you know that we are only funded by public donations and membership fees? Whether it's a one off or an ongoing donation we welcome your support and commit to investing your donation to creating a better environment for cycling.