Bike riding across NSW is booming in certain pockets where there have been investments in infrastructure, such as the City of Parramatta.
Since 2013, Parramatta Valley Cycleway (PVC) has seen growth from 7,736 monthly riders to 19,238 in 2019. The PVC is a 20km shared path, which has enabled people to walk and cycle from Parramatta Park and Sydney Olympic Park via Parramatta CBD.
With the final connection at Subiaco Creek finished in June 2017, the PVC jumped 5,000 riders the month after it opened.
Currently, NSW has the lowest rates of bike riding participation across Australia. We are however the only state to see an increase on a weekly bike riding basis, since 2017. With councils, like City of Parramatta, delivering connected cycling infrastructure, often on behalf of the NSW Government, we hope to see this upward trend continue.
Bike plan
With a bike plan in place, City of Parramatta are ahead of many other councils across NSW. They aspire to increase the proportion of people cycling in Parramatta to 5% of all trips to work, and 10% for those ending in the CBD.
Recently, the City of Parramatta opened a new section of the PVC in Rydalmere which separates pedestrians and bike riders. Stage 2 and 3 will continue this separation along key parts of the PVC to further ensure the safe and happy use of the path for all involved.
“We are thrilled to see this investment in bike riding. City of Parramatta has clearly shown that if you build the infrastructure the riders will come,” commented Kim Lavender, Bicycle NSW Communications Manager.
Bicycle NSW encourages all councils across NSW to support and invest in cycling infrastructure. Thereby helping ease congestion, reduce carbon emissions, boost the economy and create a healthier and happier society.
