Working with Local Government
BIKEast has encouraged local councils to develop Bike Plans, and now we want to work with them as they implement the plans to create a network of safe and easily rideable bike routes; so that residents can use their bikes for everyday travel and transport in and around the Eastern Suburbs.
Botany Council
2008
The CoBB Public Works Committee currently meets once a month. Interested bicyclists can keep an eye on what's happening in Botany by reviewing the agendas/minutes for upcoming/recent meetings, and lobby Councillors and Council staff accordingly.
Councillor Greg Mitchell is currently chair of Council's Local Traffic Committee.
2005
The City of Botany Bay is maintaining its current bicycle network and together with the RTA, is proposing to amend on-road landscaping structures that obstruct and pose hazard to cyclists.
Randwick Council
Interested cyclists can come along to Bicycle Meetings with Randwick Council, comment on agendas/minutes for upcoming/recent meetings of the Randwick City Traffic Committee which meets once a month or lobby Councillors and Council staff accordingly.
2008 and 2009
Meetings with Council representatives: BIKEast meets with Randwick Council transport planners regularly (3 times a year) to oversee implementation of the Bicycle Plan and deal with all matters relating to cycling within and near the Randwick Council area.
Minutes from 20 May 2009 (242 KB PDF).
Heffron Park: BIKEast made a submission (206 KB PDF) to Council regarding the draft Plan of Management.
Musgrave Street Gate – Centennial & Moore Parks: After four years of representation, a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing was provided at Darley Road, Avoca Street and York Road intersection to connect the Queens Park shared path to Centennial Park. However more work is needed to redesign and make this intersection safer. BIKEast continues making suggestions for the reconfiguration and use of space at this intersection.
Bicycle Plan Update was exhibited from 5 February to 4 March 2008 and adopted by Council in December 2008. It aims to:
- improve links to key destinations within the City, such as the University of New South Wales, Coogee and Maroubra Beaches, and Heffron Park
- identify a network of routes
- establish a practical works program for cycling infrastructure
- identify cycle paths and facilities that can be used by the whole community
- establish priorities for construction work
- update the previous bicycle plan proposals to meet current standards
- develop a plan that can be used to obtain external grant funding
- link in with regional plans by the Southern Sydney Region of Councils
- consider Anzac Parade as a potential bike path.
2006 and 2007
BIKEast initiated and participated in discussions between Randwick and Waverley Councils, RTA and Centennial Parklands regarding the pedestrian and bicycle safety and access to Centennial Parklands at the intersection of Darley Road, Avoca Street and York Road.
BIKEast participated in the update of the Randwick 1998 Bicycle Plan (Randwick Bicycle Plan Update was finalised in November 2006).
2005
Significant projects completed:
- the Darley Road cycleway along the southern boundary of Centennial Park
- upgrade of the existing shared path between the Randwick gate and along Alison Road to Wansey Road
Together with RTA’s Darlinghurst - Mascot Airport regional cycleway, a network now exists to the west and south of Centennial Parklands linking the parks to the surrounding suburbs and residents with Randwick TAFE and UNSW campuses. Most of these cycleways are off-road.
Sydney City Council
2005
In recent times submissions have been prepared for the then South Sydney City Council updated Bicycle Plan and City of Sydney’s draft Bike Plan and Oxford Street and Darlinghurst Road ‘Gateway’ Projects. Following direct representations at Council meetings (together with other representatives of the Bicycle movement), BIKEast’s recommended changes to the SSCC plan were agreed to with a few minor exceptions and for the Gateway projects some bicycle facilities and ample bike parking has been included where previously there was nothing.
The new City Council has adopted a sound set of policies to plan and develop bicycle facilities and integrate the network throughout its area. Significant new work has commenced. The policies reasonable match BIKEast requests made in its submissions.
BikeSydney has recently reconvened and is now meeting regularly to review progress on bike facilities in the CBD and its immediate surrounds. As such BIKEast lobbying will be focussed on cross-boundary issues.
Waverley Council
2008
Waverley Council is putting on bike workshops in early 2009.
Workshops will be held on:
Back On Your Bike - Improve and learn new bike skills to get your confidence up for riding on cycleways.
Commute By Bike - Commute by bicycle instead of car. Gain the skills to ride on the road and learn safe routes.
Bike Maintenance - Basic and course on changing a tyre, brake and gear adjustment and chain maintenance.
To book a course, visit the Eastern Suburbs Community College website or call 9387 7400.
If you know someone who is interested in cycling but hesitant about riding in the area or their bike is in the garage with flat tyres, these courses would be great for them, so spread the word.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sam McGuinness, Sustainable Transport Officer, Waverley Council.
2005
BIKEast made a detailed submission to Council re-drafting Draft Development Control Plan No. 14 - Land Use & Transportation (dealing with parking), to ensure adequate standards for bicycle parking and amenity are included. An audit of the existing partially completed, marked cycleway between Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach and vital missing links into Woollahra from New South Head Road into Victoria Road, was also undertaken.
The Council commenced line-marking of the Bronte Beach - Queens Park bicycle route as promised in 2003, which work BIKEast audited mid-year to ensure evident hazards points and non-compliance with AUSTROAD standards were addressed and made good.
BIKEast has made representations about the need for facilities in and around Bondi Junction and a BIKEast executive member is on Council’s Bondi Junction Committee. This should ensure adequate provision for cyclists in and around the Junction, soon.
The WMC Traffic Committee currently meets once a month. Interested bicyclists can keep an eye on what's happening in Waverley by reviewing the agendas/minutes for upcoming/recent meetings, and lobby Councillors and Council staff accordingly.
Councillor John Wakefield is currently chair of Council's Traffic Committee.
Woollahra Council
2008
The Woollahra Local Traffic Committee currently meets twice a month. Interested bicyclists can keep an eye on what's happening in Woollahra by reviewing the agendas/minutes for upcoming/recent meetings, and lobby Councillors and Council staff accordingly.
The Woollahra Community & Environment Committee currently meets twice a month. Interested bicyclists can keep an eye on what's happening in Woollahra by reviewing the agendas/minutes for upcoming/recent meetings, and lobby Councillors and Council staff accordingly.
2005
In 2003/04 significant submissions were made and meetings attended. These were in response to the Cross City Tunnel, ‘White City’ Inquiry into the Tennis NSW proposals, the Rose Bay Promenade up-grade, Council’s draft Management Plan, the Bike Plan Working Party and in to several Traffic Committee matters. This was to ensure bicycling safety and other interests were addressed. As a result bicycle facilities are to be included in projects in many areas.
In contrast to recent minimal funding, the Council elected in 2004 has now allocated adequate funds and provision of bicycle facilities will be integrated with road up-grading works. The Mayor and some Councillors have been briefed and priorities for the area have been submitted. Many bicycle projects proposed under the Bike Plan, which languished under the last Council, will therefore now proceed.
Woollahra Council has provided a bike-lane up most of Birriga Road Bellevue Hill and after lobbying provided an off-road section near Bundarra Road (see map). This is a good facility, though only part of the required route linking North Bondi/Bondi Junction.
In March 2001, BIKEast audited bicycle logos and some lane-markings undertaken in 2000. All logos needed re-doing because of contractor failure. Most of this work – covering parts of Paddington, Ocean Street, Woollahra, and along Edgecliff Road to Bondi Junction – was substantially completed by the end of 2002.
Future works costing about $75,000 are proposed for 2003-04. These include:
- Rushcutters Bay Park/Lyne Park along New South Head Road via Double Bay;
- Completing all Bike Plan facilities within Paddington; and
- Undertaking new work in the Bellevue Hill area.
The above will substantially complete first stage works for the eastern half of Woollahra’s area, except for the Double Bay/Bondi Junction route along Manning Road. However, the second stage – route signage – has yet to be designed or funded.
The Woollahra Bike Plan Working Party will be updating priorities, including considering the response to the Cross City Tunnel project in response to BIKEast’s submission.
BIKEast has commenced discussions with the Paddington Society about directional signage through Paddington.