Cycle-friendly upgrades to the Sydney Harbour Bridge are a step closer following the announcement that community consultation will begin in November 2017.
With more than 1,900 daily bike trips, the upgrades will set out to improve bridge access for both people who ride and walk, at both ends of the bridge, including the removal of the bridge's 55 infamous steps.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey said the review of environmental factors for the southern cycleway and the options report for the northern cycle ramp will both be on display in November.
“The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an international icon and appreciated by millions of people each year. It is also a vital commuter link for Sydneysiders including cyclists enjoying the view of the harbour or commuting to and from work,” Mrs Pavey said in a media release on September 15.
Mrs Pavey's statement comes a year after the cycle-friendly upgrades were first announced by Duncan Gay in August 2016. In December 2016, these plans were once again confirmed as part of $35 million in funding but the details were decidedly light.
Bicycle Network has been campaigning for the removal of the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps for the past three years. See more here.
Specifically, the planned upgrades include:
- A new North Shore Link cycleway will adjoin the southern end of the existing Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway to create a dedicated connection to the cyclist network on Kent Street.
- A ramp to replace the 55 steps at the northern end of the bridge, making it easier for people who ride to access the cycleway.
For more information, visit the NSW Government's website.