Sydney Cycleways: Consultation Opens for 'Environmental Impact' in Surry Hills, Other Sites

The environmental impact of the Sydney cycleways is up for review nearly a year since the cycleway implementation across various areas, including Surry Hills. Have your say on what’s going to happen to these pop-up cycleways by participating in the ongoing public consultation.

According to the City of Sydney, the review will help determine if the temporary Sydney cycleways installed in Moore Park Road and Fitzroy Street, to boost cycling activity during the pandemic, could still be retained for the next two years. The initial plan is to remove the pop-up when the Oxford Street cycleway is completed.

Councillor Christine Forster said in a post on Facebook that Lord Mayor Clover Moore is likely leaning on approving the “permanency “of the Sydney cycleways during the May 2021 Council meeting. Hence, it is important for the residents to share their insights into this plan before the final decision.

The environmental impact review allows residents and those who use these bike paths to share their experience on the current state of the streets with the addition of the cycleways. Locals are encouraged to enumerate the pros and cons of this plan so Council can make the best assessment.

The public consultation will run until 9 April 2021. The community may also send their feedback via emailing sydneycycleways@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced that the Federal Government will fund 50 percent of the planned new cycleway on Oxford Street. This will run from Oxford Street east, connecting Taylor Square to Paddington Gates.

“Adding a separated cycleway will make it safer for cyclists and help calm traffic – creating a more pleasant environment for those on foot and the many businesses along the strip,” the Lord Mayor said.

Since the pandemic, New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said that cycleway use increased to 40 percent.

Federal Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma said that he will support the removal of the COVID-19 pop-up cycleways on Moore Park Road and Fitzroy Street when Oxford Street is ready so the city could bring back the side street parking spaces to the locals.