New perspectives on the Greater Sydney Bike Trail

At Bicycle NSW, our work benefits from listening to all our Members' experiences - from those that have supported advocacy efforts for multiple decades, to those who have only recently begun to cycle.

And fresh perspectives are always helpful. In this piece we hear from Ali Macleod, a passionate cyclist who is new to Sydney. As he continues to settle in, he decided to explore some of the city's best cycling infrastructure via the Greater Sydney Bike Trail.

Navigating a new city

When I first arrived in Sydney eight months ago, I spent a lot of time on public transport. I became familiar with the chill of the 438x bus air-conditioning, and the scenic light rail journey between Central and Marion Street.

It was unusual, because for the previous five years I had cycled everywhere, mainly in London, and then during a stint in the French alpine town of Annecy. What started with utilitarian journeys, and short rides for mental well-being, developed into long-distance tours and a passion for exploration by bike.

So it didn’t take long to find a set of wheels in Sydney. There was a spare run-around bike at my shared house in Erskineville, a vintage road frame with a rusty chain that was worth no more than $150. It unlocked other avenues, ways to weave through the city, and brought me face to face with some of the cultural differences of cycling in Australia.

The relationship between cyclists and drivers in the UK is rocky - but I’ve found the roads here to be far more intimidating. When a Raptor pulls up next to me, with the bonnet at head height, I’ve reflected on my complaints about sharing the road with a Nissan micra. The widespread use of 'utes' is something that I’m still adjusting to.

As a result, I’ve begun to seek out bike lanes more than ever, and I’ve been incredibly surprised by some of the routes that can be stitched together using cycling infrastructure. It didn’t take long to discover the Greater Sydney Bike Trail, a 230km loop that connects a tapestry of shared paths, developed by Garry Robinson. It reminded me of the London’s Smoke Ring route, something that escaped me for years.

So over a winter weekend I decided to use almost every daylight hour accessible, with the aim of completing the 230km over two days.

Cycling infrastructure through Parramatta and into Cammeray

Reflections

For the most part, my discovery of cycling has allowed me to develop a sense of adventure, explore remote landscapes, and enjoy solitude.

This route has a very different kind of appeal. It gave me a reason to visit the peripheral parts of Sydney, and begin to understand how the city is shaped. I spent the entire weekend as a passive observer, drifting through people’s weekend routines: the smells of home cooking in Liverpool, families enjoying a day out to Luna Park, or 11-a-side football matches in Mascot.

Even if you’ve lived in Sydney all your life, I imagine that the Greater Sydney Bike Trail would allow you to experience new places, and sights and sounds. That would be its main selling point, but here are three more:

There is something for everyone. Extensive sections are 100% cycle lanes where even the most beginner of riders could feel comfortable. The paths overlooking Botany Bay, and along the Paramatta River, were quiet and very popular with more leisurely riders. Whilst other sections like the M7 cycleway, or through Lane Cove national park, are a good excuse to open the legs and go a little quicker.
It is unexpectedly peaceful. At first glance, the route falls short of reaching the more popular nature spots such as Royal National Park, or Ku-ring-gai National Park. But, there are plenty of kilometres to yourself, free from the sounds of traffic, whether it is stopping for a moment by the lakes in Chipping Norton, or slinking through the backstreets of Cammeray.
Accessible by public transport. The nature of a suburban route means that you can get away with very little planning. Whatever itinerary you choose to create from the route, the start and end of your ride can be supported by public transport.