A councillor’s vision for cycling in Willoughby

Andrew Nelson (second from left) at the opening Chatswood’s Frank Channon Walk in March 2024. Andrew is with 5 other Bike North members, and (front row) Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor and Tim James, Member for Willoughby (Image: Bike North)

Gearing up for a full audit

Last year, I had the honour of being invited to nominate for membership of Willoughby City Council’s Active and Integrated Transport Advisory Committee (AITAC). This committee's role included providing input for the preparation of the Council’s new bike plan.

When it became apparent that the studies for the new bike plan would not involve a comprehensive audit of its existing bike routes, I decided to undertake a personal audit.

I am an experienced cyclist. However, my knowledge of Willoughby’s bike routes was limited to my daily commutes from Chatswood West to Sydney - before retirement - and occasional shopping trips to the Chatswood CBD.

Armed with the Northern Sydney Cycling Guide and Map and Transport for NSW’s digital Cycleway Finder, I embarked on a journey to explore all of Willoughby’s cycling infrastructure over several weeks.

This endeavour proved to be highly illuminating!

The Willoughby section of the North Sydney Cycling Guide and Map. Note this is several years old now. (Image: Willoughby City Council)

The Cycleway Finder online map clearly shows existing infrastructure – and the gaps! (Image: Transport for NSW)

Discovering Willoughby's bike routes

To my pleasant surprise, I discovered that Willoughby boasts an extensive and well-thought-out network of bike routes linking all its town centres. Only Castle Cove lacks any kind of cycling facilities, because residents voted against an early proposal for a cycleway.

The bike routes in Willoughby radiate like spokes on a wheel from the Chatswood CBD, extending to local suburbs including Lane Cove North, Chatswood West, Roseville, Castle Crag, Willoughby, Northbridge, Naremburn, and St Leonards.

The terrain is relatively flat, with elevations ranging from sea level at Lane Cove to 100 meters, making for (mostly!) easy cycling, although there are some climbs from the west. Additionally, by following lesser-used streets, the routes largely avoid traffic lights, allowing for a smooth and uninterrupted ride.

The 3.5km shared path along the Pacific Highway was opened in 2022. It provides an important and level connection between Chatswood and St Leonards (Image: Willoughby City Council)

I found that the bike network had been meticulously planned. The routes follow streets with less traffic and incorporate shared paths, such as sections of Fullers Road and the Pacific Highway.

Connections to ongoing routes into neighbouring council areas have also been well-considered, such as those to Sydney via West Street and to Macquarie park via Epping Road. Routes north still need a lot of further work.

The auditing process

I meticulously planned each ride using the maps as guides. However, during the rides I relied on wayfinding signage. This led to some interesting and occasionally unpleasant experiences!  For example, I ended up on main roads and busy streets such as Mowbray Road and Penshurst Street, due to incomplete or misleading signage. In some instances, I had to re-ride segments to identify where things went wrong.

Taking a breather during an audit ride with Mayor Tanya Taylor (left) and Chatswood West Ward Progress Association President, Diana Pryde (Image: Mayor Tanya Taylor)

Throughout this journey, I recorded each ride with my GoPro, supplemented with additional photographs where appropriate. This enabled me to compile a comprehensive audit document for the Advisory Committee for future reference. The documentation is proving invaluable for stakeholders inside and outside council.

This is my Strava heat map which visually represents the routes I cycled during the audit. The map includes occasional GPS glitches such as along Epping Rd/Gore Hill Freeway (Image: Strava)

A key finding – and several challenges

One of the most significant findings from my audit was the realization that Willoughby’s bike route system is indeed robust, linking various centres and providing seamless connections.

However, some challenges need to be addressed:

1. Incomplete signage: Inconsistent and sometimes misleading wayfinding signage can lead to confusion and potential safety hazards for cyclists.
2. Gaps in the network: Certain areas, like Castle Cove, lack dedicated bike routes due to local opposition.
3. Failure to properly mark routes: A lack of appropriate and highly visible on road signage, especially in the Chatswood CBD.
4. Missing cycling facilities: Infrastructure such as bike racks and repair stands have disappeared over the years or are not appropriately placed.

My recommendations to improve the network

Based on my audit, I have several recommendations for upgrading Willoughby’s bike routes:

1. Enhanced signage: Ensure consistent and clear wayfinding signage across all routes to guide cyclists safely and efficiently. Mark routes with on road signage so that motorists are well aware they are sharing with cyclists.
2. Dedicated bike lanes: Where possible, create dedicated bike lanes to keep cyclists off busy main roads and improve safety. However, these are expensive, and will take years to achieve.
3. Community engagement: Engage with residents in areas like Castle Cove to address concerns and highlight the benefits of having a connected bike route.

Personal reflections and future contributions

This audit was very worthwhile endeavour. I gained valuable insights into the existing infrastructure and identified areas for improvement. My detailed knowledge of Willoughby’s cycling infrastructure will really help me to contribute to future improvements.

As a retired member of the Active and Integrated Transport Advisory Committee, I hope to leverage my findings to advocate for better infrastructure.

I am confident that we can create a safer, more connected and more enjoyable cycling environment for everyone in Willoughby.