Pop-up Cycleway on Moore Park Road Secures Three-Year Extension

Did you know that the pop-up cycleway which runs along Moore Park Rd will be retained for three more years after construction delays pushed back plans for a permanent replacement on Oxford Street?

The decision to retain the pop-up cycleway comes after construction delays postponed the construction of a permanent bicycle path on Oxford St, sparking a wave of controversy and debate among residents and business owners.

The temporary pop-up cycleway along Moore Park Rd has witnessed a surge in popularity among cyclists traversing the area. Transport for NSW installed a trip counter, which recorded an average of 1,915 weekly trips in February 2021.

Data from February 2023 indicates that the cycleway now registers approximately 500 trips on weekdays and 350 trips on Saturdays and Sundays, totalling around 3,200 weekly trips.

Bicycle NSW, a prominent cycling advocacy group, expressed their satisfaction with the council’s decision, emphasising the importance of prioritising cyclists and the future success of the Oxford Street urban renewal project. The 9-1 vote in favour of the pop-up cycleway demonstrates both government and community resolve to place people above vehicles, as stated in a press release.

A petition initiated by Bicycle NSW to ensure the implementation of the cycleway has gained significant traction, amassing over 100 signatures within a mere 48 hours since its launch on Sunday, 28 May 2023. The petition encourages individuals to reach out to their local Members of Parliament to express their support for the project.

However, the proposed permanent bicycle path on Oxford St faces opposition from local residents who are concerned about the reduction of car lanes in the area.

The proposed bike path, which is part of a broader $77 million investment in walkways and cycleways, will connect with a 1.7 km cycleway located between Taylor Square and Hyde Park.

+Council Chief Executive Kim Woodbury, acknowledged that the construction of the permanent route had not progressed as anticipated. However, a spokesperson for the City of Sydney said that the construction of the permanent cycleway will commence in October. Transport for NSW will conduct investigations and studies on the concept design, which will undergo public scrutiny.

Acknowledging the discontent among Moore Park Rd residents, Mayor Clover Moore attributed the delays to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction projects. She expressed her understanding of the frustration surrounding the extended duration of the pop-up cycleway but emphasised the unforeseen circumstances caused by the pandemic.

Published 31-May-2023