The first stage of the long-awaited and controversial Oxford Street cycleway has finally opened – nearly four years after it was first proposed.
The $18.5 million, 1-kilometre separated bike lane runs along the northern edge of Oxford Street and part of Liverpool Street, linking Darlinghurst with the CBD.
Officially named the Oxford Street West and Liverpool Street cycleway, it forms part of the City of Sydney's broader push to expand active transport options.
First proposed on November 3, 2021, as a permanent cycleway, the project was scheduled to begin construction in October 2023, but this was delayed until March last year. Although initially expected to be completed by the end of 2024, the first stage opened on Friday – 1360 days after it was first proposed.
One factor contributing to the construction delay was the nearby Oxford & Foley development, which has also faced significant setbacks.
Despite opposition from some businesses, Lord Mayor Clover Moore welcomed the cycleway’s opening.
"Three thousand people cycle on it [Oxford Street] each day, so what we are doing is providing a safe place for them to do so," Moore said.
She said the route would improve safety for the thousands of cyclists travelling into the CBD daily.
"Ten thousand cyclists ride into the CBD every day, so this is providing a safe, economic option for people, and we are very excited about this opening," she said.
Moore also said the project was a milestone in the city's ongoing expansion of its separated bike network.
"We started our separated cycle network back in 2008, and we've built sections over time. We're at a very exciting stage now because we are connecting all those sections," she said.
She said the cycleway would also benefit the broader streetscape by improving walkability and creating a buffer from traffic.
"The buffer between the heavy traffic makes the street more pleasant for pedestrians, and that's going to make it better for businesses. When people walk and cycle, they spend more than they do when driving by in a car," Moore said.
A report by the Committee for Sydney – an independent, not-for-profit urban policy think tank – backed that claim, citing research that found retail spending increases when people walk or cycle.
One Brisbane study found that 70 per cent of restaurant income came from people who walked, biked or used public transport. A separate New York City study linked new cycleways with a 49 per cent increase in sales.
The current cycleway connects the CBD to Taylor Square. The City hopes the NSW government will fund the next stage, which would extend the path towards Paddington.
"What we are hoping is that the [state] government will finish the other section of Oxford Street, which will go from Taylor Square to Centennial Park. That will enable all the people from the eastern suburbs to cycle into the city," said Moore.
In response to concerns raised by some Paddington residents about the proposed extension, Moore said she hoped their fears "will be allayed by seeing how successful" the Oxford Street West and Liverpool Street cycleway would be.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: [email protected]
