The local government election results are coming in thick and fast. And all indicators show strong community support for walking, cycling and better streets.
While we haven’t yet analysed the final results across NSW to understand the impact of our 2024 Council Election campaign to find #CouncillorsForActiveTransport, Bicycle NSW is feeling positive!
Despite this, the run up to polling day in some areas was rife with negative attacks on candidates who support cycling.
Did this make a difference? Read on to find out what happened in two metropolitan councils on different sides of Sydney Harbour. Both councils have controversial active transport projects underway. But the election outcomes demonstrate that fearmongering doesn’t cut through with the quiet majority who just want safer, greener neighbourhoods with more options for getting around.
Continued stability for City of Sydney
Despite the best efforts of some determined detractors, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been returned for a sixth term on a platform of progressive policies to secure Sydney’s future as one of the world’s top green liveable and creative cities.
For twenty years, Moore has worked to build cycleways and improve public transport across the City of Sydney. She has faced incredible opposition from the NSW Government and a hostile press. But there has been steady progress with delivering transport choices for all – while making streets greener, quieter and safer.
An unpleasant campaign
Moore has said that 2024 was one of the ugliest election campaigns that she has ever experienced. Specifically, there was a bewildering amount of negative campaigning and misinformation in relation to the Oxford Street Cycleway.
What is going on with the Oxford Street Cycleway?
The project to complete a critical regional bicycle link from Bondi Junction to the CBD is a joint endeavour between City of Sydney and Transport for NSW. City of Sydney is responsible for the west end from Hyde Park to Taylor Square. Construction on this section has already commenced and is due to be complete within months.
The Lord Mayor (centre) donned a hard hat for the sod-turning ceremony as construction commenced on the Oxford Street West cycleway in March 2024 (Image: City of Sydney/Nick Langley)
The NSW Government is responsible for the Oxford Street East project from Taylor Square to Centennial Park.
The design and delivery of this eastern section is mired in controversy. The southern side of Oxford Street in Paddington, where the cycleway will be located, is in City of Sydney and has full support of council. The northern side is in Woollahra where councillors have reversed their previous position to support the cycleway.
Cycleway opponents targeted Moore, spruiking conspiracy theories, threatening violence and stoking fear in an attempt to gain support from residents nervous about change.
However, as has happened many times before, in many corners of the world, politicians who focus on sustainable transport and greener cities win votes.
Support for active transport in Sydney has been evidenced not just by the Lord Mayor’s return to office, but also by Transport for NSW's own community engagement.
It’s a fact! There is a mandate for more active travel in Sydney
Last year, more than half (57%) of Transport for NSW’s online survey respondents supported the Oxford Street East cycleway. One third (34%) opposed it and 9% were neutral. In the comments, 71% of general comments and 66% of comments about safety were positive.
In fact, Transport for NSW found that regardless of how respondents felt about the actual cycleway, the majority shared an aspiration for a better street with lower speed limits and wider footpaths. Support was strong amongst both supporters and opponents alike for a quieter, less polluted, safer and more enjoyable street.
Bicycle NSW’s Build a Better Oxford Street campaign was developed with passionate BIKEast advocates. A petition was launched in 2023 which now has 2612 signatures. The comments left by people signing tell the story of the quiet majority who support the project:
“I live very near Oxford Street. I am a cyclist. I want less car traffic with all its noise and air pollution and risk of accidents.”
“Having grown up in Paddington, it is so sad to see how much Oxford Street has declined… slowing down the speed limit and encouraging cycling will make the area much more pedestrian friendly.”
“I strongly believe it will enhance the amenity of Darlinghurst, where I live and work. If Paris can make the shift to more bike lanes, so can we.”
People really just want a vibrant and attractive high street in Paddington!
Cycling is ramping up across the harbour
In March, the tender for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Northern Access Ramp was awarded. This is Australia's longest running bicycle advocacy campaign. Bicycle NSW has been involved for over 40 years and Bike North has championed the project since 1996!
Work on site finally began in September 2024. The days of having to haul your bike up 55 steps from Milsons Point to reach the cycleway on the western side of the bridge should be over by the end of 2025! And not a moment too soon for those keen to access the city with children, heavy e-bikes or cargo bikes.
Why is the Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp so divisive?
Anyone would think that the improved access to low-impact, green and healthy transport would be a win for everyone in the community. But no. A small group of powerful and politically-connected locals with too much time and money have fought very hard to halt the project. The ramp has been a political wedge within council as councillors representing the Milsons Point objectors voted against each step that moved the project forward.
North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker and several other Councillors have been steadfast in their support for a ramp. These collaborative politicians have worked hard to get the best deal for North Sydney rate payers. Their reward? A dirty social media campaign that tried to frame them as liars who ignore the wishes of the community.
And - surprise surprise - the noisy opposition didn’t cut through. Baker and her team not only sailed back in but increased their representation on North Sydney Council. They will serve alongside others who supported the ramp. Meanwhile, Councillors promoting lies and misinformation around the ramp lost votes and even their seats on Council.
Mayor Zoe Baker (second left) and Councillor Shannon Welch (third left) at the ribbon cutting of Stage One of the West Street cycleway with staff, community members and representatives from Bike North. Both Baker and Welch signed the Bicycle NSW pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport. And both have been staunch advocates for active transport projects in North Sydney. Council has recently endorsed Stage Two of West Street.
(Image: North Sydney Council)
Cycleways detractors are a small but powerful minority
All of this indicates that vocal opponents to bike infrastructure projects are but a small segment of the community. Albeit a powerful, motivated and well-connected segment.
“In general, the electorate continues to show an increasing interest in candidates supporting active transport,” says Bicycle NSW CEO Peter Mclean. “This has been demonstrated in a number of different areas across NSW - including outer suburban context such as Camden where my campaign included a commitment to Active Camden”.
Bicycle NSW is pleased to confirm that Peter was re-elected!
The final results have just been released so stay tuned for a more detailed election analysis.
Before you go….
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