By Graham Marshall
I started to ride to work in the city on a casual basis when I first moved to North Ryde about ten years ago. I was encouraged by the excellent bike path along Epping Road which made it seem safe and a good way to get extra exercise. After a while, I bought an e-bike and started riding in every day, but then stopped because of extra family and education commitments.
When we started coming out of the pandemic lockdown I was able to hybrid work, spreading my days between home and the office. With a ‘rest day’ possible between each ride to the office, I bought a new e-bike and started riding in again two or three times a week.
The bicycle infrastructure on my trip is generally very good, although there are still some pain points.
North Ryde to Lane Cove
I am able to take back streets from my house to the Epping Road bike path at Lane Cove Road. This path alternates between shared path sections and other sections with two bike lanes and one pedestrian lane. Generally, here visibility is good and it feels safe, although there are streets where I have to carefully look over my shoulder for turning traffic before crossing. There are also sections with driveways, so I take it slow in case there is a car exiting.
Taking back streets to the Epping Road bike path at Lane Cove Road on bin day
(Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
This path alternates between shared path sections and...... (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
other sections with two bike lanes and one pedestrian lane (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Lane Cove to Naremburn
I feel happy about e-biking every time I tackle the peaks riding from Sam Johnson Way in Lane Cove West, up to the summit of the pedestrian bridge over the freeway at Naremburn. The cycling infrastructure ranges from dedicated, separated lanes set aside on Epping Road, to shared pathways at the edge of the freeway, to completely off road paths that go under the freeway. There are some tricky corners in the off road section so taking it at a safe speed is important. Crossing the Naremburn bridge is definitely a high point of the whole ride.
Sam Johnson Way in Lane Cove West. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Shared paths under the freeway at Naremburn. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Pedestrian bridge over the freeway at Naremburn. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Naremburn to Harbour Bridge
Unfortunately, this section is more challenging to navigate than the dedicated path sections, with lots of potential for improved cycling infrastructure.
There is an option of riding up a path to Merrenburn Avenue, then turning right at the traffic lights onto Brook Street to come up the very wide and recently improved cycling lane on the freeway on-ramp.
Taking that route avoids having to cross the freeway on-ramp, which can sometimes take a long time if there is a lot of traffic. Unfortunately, that route only works on the way in. On the way back the only real route is an uncomfortably narrow path on the edge of the freeway, with no safety barrier either. I am not aware of any plans to improve that section, but it would certainly be welcome.
Taking the freeway cycle lane, I turn right onto West Street, which is a multiple personality cycle route. In the first section there is a wide cycling lane marked out, but that is also available for parking. Further on there is no clearly separated cycling lane, although traffic is usually light or slow, so I don’t feel unsafe. Improvements to West Street are coming.
I take a zig zag route from West Street to Pacific Highway, down Church Street, Angelo Street, Berry Street and Miller Street. Pacific Highway feels daunting but is generally low or slow traffic. I was very excited when the State government announced plans for a pop-up cycleway in 2020, and disappointed when those plans were scrapped.
The dangerously narrow and unprotected bike path along the Warringah Freeway near brook Street in Cammeray. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
The newly widened bike lane on Brook Street. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Right onto West Street, which is a multiple personality cycle route. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)
Harbour Bridge to Pitt Street
When I reach the Harbour Bridge I am grateful that the long campaign to build a proper ramp to replace the steps is finally getting traction. At the other end, I take a right onto Upper Fort Street to head down to Argyle Street. The intersection is usually a blind spot, because buses park in Argyle Street, so I have to take my time making sure no car is coming up unseen. I head down Argyle Street towards Circular Quay, and then pick up the Pitt Street cycleway. Starting as a pop-up, this bicycle path was made permanent and provides a direct (and beautiful!) route to my office at 1 Martin Place.
The new Pitt Street cycleway. Starting as a pop-up, this lane was made permanent with high quality finishes and public realm upgrades such as landscaping and benches. (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)