Did you see this article in the Wentworth Courier last week inferring that a cycle lane would “destroy” the Bondi Junction Village Markets and other small businesses?
How do we get the truth out there? “While cyclists tend to spend less per shopping trip than drivers, they also tend to make more trips, pumping more total money into the local economy over time.”*
A bicycle is the perfect way to get to Bondi Junction markets!
When will Waverley Council embrace making Bondi Junction liveable and sort out the issues with Spring St and build the Bondi Junction cycleway? How long will we have to wait for this top priority route?
13 Jul 2016, Wentworth Courier, Sean Thompson
TOUR DE MARKETS
Cycle plan threatens Bondi Junction stalls
A PROPOSED cycle lane would “destroy” the Bondi Junction Village Markets and other small businesses already struggling to attract customers, according to shoppers.
Waverley Council staff have spoken to business owners and the markets manager about options for a cycle lane in the middle of the Oxford Street Mall.
A petition against the plans has started on change.org, with objectors saying the bike lane “will most likely result in the market shutting permanently”, while the stallholders are also concerned about its viability. SHOPPERS in the Oxford Street Mall say a dedicated cycle lane through the retail strip would “destroy” the Bondi Junction Village Markets and other small businesses already struggling to attract customers.
Waverley Council staff have spoken to business owners and markets manager Lisa Martin about options for a cycle lane in the middle of the mall after Roads and Maritime Services put a stop to the original plans for a route around Spring St.
The path through the mall would create a link between Bondi Junction and the beach as part of the Waverley Bike Plan 2013.
A petition against the plans has started on change.org, with objectors saying the bike lane “will most likely result in the market shutting permanently”.
The markets are open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 5pm, and have operated in the mall for more than 20 years.
Cyclists are already using the mall as a short cut, with the Wentworth Courier witnessing a number of riders weave through customers last Friday morning.
One customer, who did not wish to be named, said the market was the only place for them to buy specialty products.
“We’re not against cyclists, we just don’t want the markets destroyed,” she said.
Ms Martin said the council approached her a couple of months ago about different options for bike paths.
“There was talk of one along Spring St but that had hit some hurdles, so it was suggested that it run down the mall,” she said.
“It’s already quite unsafe for our stallholders to set up and pack up in the peak cycling times of the early morning and late afternoon, and we’ve had a number of incidents in the past where equipment has been damaged.
“Our stallholders are helping drive foot traffic to the mall. We’re not anti-bicycle, we just don’t think it’s the right place for proper lanes.”
A council spokeswoman did not respond to questions before deadline, saying the matter needed more detailed explanation.”
