Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway

Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway
A cyclist riding north to south along the cycleway in 2015
Length2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
LocationSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Trailheads
UseCycling only
Highest point51 metres (167 ft) AHD
Lowest point14 metres (46 ft) AHD
DifficultyEasy
SeasonAll seasons

The Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway is a 2-kilometre-long (1.2 mi)[1] conjoined cycleway from the north and south that crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge on its western side, linking the Sydney central business district with North Sydney, Sydney's Northern Suburbs and the North Shore, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[2]

Route

The southern terminus of the cycleway is at Millers Point with access to Argyle Street and Upper Fort Street in The Rocks. At its southern terminus near the Sydney Observatory, the cycleway is located adjacent to the Western Distributor and connects with the Kent Street cycleway. The northern terminus of the cycleway is at Burton Street, Milsons Point, just below Milsons Point railway station. Access here is by a cycle-only curving ramp, 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide and 170 metres (560 ft) long and with a gradient of 5 percent at its steepest, which opened on 6 January 2026.[3][4]

Ramp controversy

Before the ramp was added, riders on this popular cycling route to the CBD had to ascend 55 steps in order to access the path, which is located on the roadway level, some 51 metres (167 ft) above the water level.[5] A campaign to eliminate these steps began at least in 2008.[6][7]

This campaign produced the HarbourLink proposal[8] to give better access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge's northern approach. The NSW Bike Plan 2010[9] identified Naremburn to the Harbour Bridge as one of 13 major missing links and a priority metropolitan link. On 7 December 2016, NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay confirmed that the northern stairway would be replaced with a A$20 million ramp, alleviating the need for cyclists to dismount. At the same time the NSW Government announced plans to upgrade the southern ramp at a projected cost of A$15 million.[10][11][12]

As of April 2021, Transport for NSW refused to release current plans, partly because it would be unable to “deal with the anticipated volume of communications” from the public.[13] On 3 May, two preferred options were revealed: a two-storey spiral and a long slope.[14] There was local opposition to both options.[15] In August, the government announced that consultation had attracted about 2,800 responses of which 82% favoured a linear option,[16] and in December it opened a public competition among three shortlisted linear designs.[17] On 1 April 2022, it was announced that a 200-metre ramp, with an average gradient of 2 per cent, had been approved.[18] That plan was controversial, but was approved by North Sydney Council on 28 February 2023[19] and by the Heritage Council of New South Wales in June 2023, to continuing objections.[20] Construction commenced in August 2024,[21] and the new ramp was opened on 6 January 2026.[22] The 55 steps remain, for those who may wish to use them.

For the northern terminus there is a long-term plan to link the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway with the Gore Hill and Epping Road cycleways, to the northwest.[23]

Cycleway use

In 2019, the average number of cycle trips varied between 1,500 and 2,000 on an average weekday.[24]

The New South Wales Roads Regulation 2018 provides that a person must not ride a bicycle on any part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge other than a cycleway.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ 32 Burton Street, Kirribilli NSW 2061 to Western Distributor & Kent Street & Bradfield Highway & Sydney Harbour Bridge, Millers Point NSW 2000 (Map). Google Maps. 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Cycleway Finder". Roads & Maritime Services (Version 3 ed.). Government of New South Wales. 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (6 January 2026). "'Much more than a ramp': Newest addition to Sydney Harbour Bridge opens to cyclists". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  4. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (6 January 2026). "'It's dangerous': Choke-point sparks appeal for cycle ramp at Harbour Bridge's southern end". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 January 2026. With video.
  5. ^ "Sydney Harbour Bridge". harbourbridge.com.au. Nutting Industries. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  6. ^ "HarbourLink". Sydneyharbourlink.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  7. ^ HarbourLink – North Sydney Council Archived 22 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Sydney Harbour Link". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
  9. ^ "NSW Bikeplan 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2012.
  10. ^ McNally, Lucy (7 December 2016). "Sydney Harbour Bridge cyclists can expect $35 million bike ramp and upgrade by 2020". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  11. ^ Stempien, Filip (7 December 2016). "New ramps and cycleways for Sydney Harbour Bridge". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  12. ^ McNab, Heathery (8 August 2016). "Plan in the works to ramp up access to Sydney Harbour Bridge". Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  13. ^ Thompson, Angus (10 April 2021). "'They're not telling us much': Harbour Bridge cycleway options hidden from public". Sydney Morning Herald.
  14. ^ Thompson, Angus (3 May 2021). "'I am dizzy just looking at it': Harbour Bridge northern cycle ramp designs unveiled". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  15. ^ Thompson, Angus (7 June 2021). "'Understandably concerned': Liberal MP sides with residents over Harbour Bridge cycleway plans". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  16. ^ Thompson, Angus (16 August 2021). "'Statement to the world': Design competition opened for Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  17. ^ Fellner, Carrie (6 December 2021). "Top three designs for new Harbour Bridge cycle ramp unveiled". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  18. ^ Rabe, Tom (1 April 2022). "Revealed: The first look at the 200m Harbour Bridge cycleway". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  19. ^ Gorrey, Megan (1 March 2023). "'Outrageous behaviour': Harbour Bridge cycleway divides council at fiery meeting". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  20. ^ Gorrey, Megan (22 June 2023). "Green light for Harbour Bridge cycleway leaves opponents decrying 'pig' of a project". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Access Program". Transport for NSW. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  22. ^ Ittimani, Luca (6 January 2026). "'It all flows': commuters celebrate as new Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp opens". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  23. ^ Saulwick, Jacob (19 December 2013). "'Sydney's Cycling Future': North shore and inner west cyclists face further delays for paths under state government plan". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  24. ^ "Walking and cycling counts". Transport for NSW. Government of New South Wales. March 2016.
  25. ^ Roads Regulation 2018 (NSW) r 47

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