Infrastructure Vision for Sydney’s Disconnected Cycleways
By Stephen Coulter & Krystyna Weston
Like many cities around the world, Sydney lacks vision for cycleways and infrastructure for micromobility.
Federal and State governments fund so-called “Major” projects and leave smaller local governments to “plan” local cycleways — more often than not resulting in a hotch-potch(technical term) of disconnected cycle paths which don't actually help riders complete local journeys or commuting safely.
Look how disconnected Sydney’s cycleways are compared to roads…
Our recent article “Why do Micromobility Advocates Have Tiny -Demand Syndrome” commended Terenig Topjian’s call for micromobility and cycling advocates to think big and call on governments to commission major infrastructure projects for micromobility and pedestrians.
We’ve put together a high-level concept showing how a connected network of safe, separated, protected micromobility paths can connect Sydney for active transport.
We’re not going to talk it down and say it can be done cheaply by local governments. This is a big infrastructure project, Utopia would call it Nation Building, which can create huge transport and environmental benefits.
The showpiece statement item is the Middle Harbour Skyway — a micromobility and pedestrian-only bridge crossing Middle Harbour and connecting Sydney’s Northern Beaches safely with Northbridge and access to Chatswood, Macquarie Park, St Leonards, North Sydney and the City.
This vision looks after Sydney’s North shore — we need a similar vision for other key parts of Sydney and cities generally.
Yes, we’re sure the NIMBY’s and CAVE people will protest but unless we set a bold vision for micromobility, we will continue to have a piecemeal strategy and disjointed implementation.
The Middle Harbour Skyway will provide easier level access for over 300,000 Northern Beaches and other Northern residents — currently around 80% commute by driver only cars. It will also connect many hundreds of thousands west of Middle Harbour with an easy carless route to Manly and Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The bridge would be about 100 to 150 m longer than Brisbane’s 450m Goodwill pedestrian and micromobility bridge. The views will be spectacular.
Beyond the commuter connectivity, the Middle Harbour Skyway will become a huge attraction for locals and tourists for regular recreational and tourist walks and rides — connecting some beautiful parts of Sydney with a spectacular bridge providing stunning views.
Yesterday, the Federal Government has announced a new infrastructure tax incentive.
Let’s focus on infrastructure for micromobility and pedestrians — not another major road which creates traffic by inducing demand.
The time has come. Think Big for Micromobility.
