Separated Cycleway for Sydney’s Busiest Route

By Scott Green | 17th March 2022 |

The two-way cycleway will be located on the north side of Oxford and Liverpool Streets. Photo: City of Sydney

Sydney, NSW

One of Sydney’s busiest cycling routes will gain a separated cycleway, following a City of Sydney decision this month to build the 1.7km link along Oxford Street.

A council meeting on 21 February approved cycleways for both Oxford Street and King Street.

A City of Sydney statement says more than 2,000 bike trips are made on Oxford Street each day and that is expected to double within 12 months of the new cycleway’s completion, based on trends with similar facilities such as the Pitt Street Cycleway.

The Oxford Street Cycleway will extend kerbside between Taylor Square and Castlereagh Street, connecting the city centre with the eastern suburbs and with other major bike routes.

It will be a critical link in a 9km bike route that connects Mascot in the south to Circular Quay in the north, and a 10km route connecting UNSW in the east and Lilyfield in the inner-west.

An artists impression of the Oxford Street Cycleway at the Elizabeth Street intersection. — An artist’s impression of the Oxford Street Cycleway at the Elizabeth Street intersection. Photo: City of Sydney

“The cycleway also creates an important 6km connection between Bondi Junction and Circular Quay and will link with the State Government’s planned cycle route between Taylor Square and Centennial Park,” according to the council’s website.

This month’s approval came after extensive consultation with business and community members, including representatives of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Anzac War Memorial and Woollahra Council.

Designs for the permanent, two-way cycleway on the north side of Oxford and Liverpool Streets were developed from the community feedback, as well as a pop-up cycleway established down the centre of Oxford Street in 2020.

King Street Cycleway

The King Street Cycleway will run along the north side of the CBD road, crossing Castlereagh, Elizabeth and Phillip Streets.

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean said it would create an essential cycling connection between the Pitt St Cycleway and East Sydney.

“The addition should help connect the Pitt Street Cycleway with other arterial bike paths, as well as calm traffic and make the street friendlier to pedestrians,” Peter said.

“These bike paths will quickly become essential components of many city commuters’ active transport plans.”