Not everyone will be happy with the NSW government’s new City Centre Access Strategy, and that is expected when dealing with complex transport issues, multiple stakeholders, and the fixed infrastructure in a city the size of Sydney.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports this week that planned expansion of bike lanes will be particularly detrimental to workers and tradespeople who rely on access to on-street parking spaces and loading zones in the CBD. Fairfax Media has done its own counts and estimates that up to 250 spaces/loading zones will be lost, although the government has yet to release official figures and suggests that the plans will affect less than 20% of loading zones.
City of Sydney Mayor, Clover Moore, welcomed the plan saying “It balances competing demands for limited road space and delivers better public transport options while reducing congestion and wasted time spent sitting in cars for those with no option other than to drive.” <span;>As part of the plan, the government has set an “ambitious” target of doubling local and district bike trips by 2016.
“Sydneysiders are cycling in record numbers. Bike counts show that there are 31,600 City of Sydney residents currently on a bike every week. We need to get cracking so that they have the infrastructure they need to stay safe on the road,” the Lord Mayor said.
If cycling targets are to be met, it is not just additional bike lanes that will be required. A recent article by our Senior Traffic Engineer, Andrew Morse, highlights the need for additional services for bikers, particularly End-of-Trip Facilities, to adequately support those choosing to leave the car at home.