Make your donation go further this End of Financial Year
Once again, we have been busy. Our small team continues to work tirelessly to make NSW better for bicycle riding. Meeting with governments, organising community campaigns, writing detailed submissions, keeping track of major infrastructure projects - the work of Bicycle NSW never stops.
It is so important that we are able to employ full-time advocacy staff, on the ground, here in NSW, to represent the interests of our Members.
As you know, our efforts are entirely funded by membership fees and public donations. With the End of Financial Year (EOFY) 2025 approaching, there is a fantastic opportunity to make your support go even further.
Every donation over $2 is fully tax-deductible. Please donate before 30 June 2025! You will ensure that Bicycle NSW can keep up its advocacy work - while reducing your taxable income.
CEO, Peter McLean, calls for end of financial year donations
The run up to EOFY is always a great moment to reflect on what we have been up to over the last 12 months – and what we will focus on for the next year.
Of course, this only a snapshot of Bicycle NSW’s activity. So much more is shared regularly through our blog, newsletters and social media posts.
Some highlights of 2024-2025
- Two election campaigns
Bicycle NSW has led two election campaigns. In the run up the NSW council elections in September 2024, over 200 candidates signed the Bicycle NSW pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport2024. 111 of these were elected, 9% of all councillors in NSW. It was clear that voters reward candidates supportive of active transport and greener, safer neighbourhoods. And we now have champions of walking and cycling in 43 councils!
The federal election campaign introduced Bicycle NSW to every candidate and asked for a commitment to shaping better e-mobility policy in Canberra – as well as much more federal funding for active transport. There was a lot of interest in our platform and meetings are now underway with new and returned MPs from across the political spectrum.
- Fantastic new infrastructure
Significant projects were completed this year. Many of these reaches the finish line after years of sustained advocacy at the highest level.
The 30km Casino to Lismore section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened. This fantastic achievement builds on the groundwork laid by the Transport Administration Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill, passed in 2022 after a decades-long campaign.
In Greater Sydney, the Sydney Gateway Active Transport Link was extended from the Alexandra Canal to the domestic terminal, a major step towards completing the regional bicycle network in the Bayside area.
Jo Haylen MP, former NSW Transport Minister, and Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO, with some of the project team at one of the new rest areas on the Alexandra Canal Active Transport Link. A huge advocacy effort from Bicycle NSW and BUG members ensured that the Sydney Gateway investment delivered really positive outcomes for active transport (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Castlereagh Street opened and quickly became everyone’s favourite Sydney cycleway. The new look street is a wonderful demonstration of how bikes can contribute to better cities.
Two vehicle lanes were reallocated on Castlereagh Street – one for the cycleway and one to create space for outdoor dining, benches and many new trees. City of Sydney continues to be a leader in delivering cycling infrastructure, with the Glebe to Ultimo and Ngamuru Avenue projects also opening in the last year (Image: Bicycle NSW)
A wider and much safer bicycle path was constructed along the Warringah Freeway south of Naremburn. This was only because Bicycle NSW applied a lot of pressure on Transport for NSW to reinstate walking and cycling infrastructure into the scope of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade project.
Bicycle NSW Bike Planner Sarah Bickford with Carolyn New and David Thomson of Bike North on the upgraded active transport link adjacent to the Warringah Freeway. This a small but important win from a project that has made cycling from the northern suburbs to the Sydney Harbour Bridge more difficult than ever (Image: Bicycle NSW)
- Regular trips to NSW Parliament House
Bicycle NSW is a frequent visitor to Parliament. We have met dozens of new and returned MPs since the last state election. The short but productive sessions provide a great opportunity to build relationships and discuss how we can work together to accelerate the roll-out of active transport projects in each electorate. Our key message? A substantial expansion of the Get NSW Active grants program must be a priority for government.
Just a few of our recent MP meetings. We don’t always have time to grab a photo! From top left: CEO Peter McLean and Bike Planner Sarah Bickford with Richie Williamson, Member for Clarence, Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford, Natalie Ward MLC, MLC, Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, and (with David Thomson, Bike North’s advocacy lead) Matt Cross, Member for Davidson (Images: Bicycle NSW)
- A seat at the table for policy reform
Bicycle NSW has presented evidence at several Parliamentary Inquiries over the last year, including a very deep dive into e-mobility policy and regulation. We are currently closely involved in the long-overdue review of the NSW Roads Act.
Bicycle NSW is always on the key stakeholder list for major infrastructure projects and strategic planning work. This enables us to represent the needs of bicycle riders at the early stages of projects.
CEO Peter McLean in action at Parliament House during inquiries into the impact of the Rozelle Interchange, the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options, religious exemptions for wearing helmets, and (bottom right) at a sustainable transport forum convened by Kobi Shetty, Member for Balmain (Images: NSW Parliament)
- Submissions and letters sent every week
Over the course of the year, we have written more than 50 submissions and letters to councils, ministers, government bodies and Transport for NSW. This is more than all the other state peak bodies combined! At least a third relate to projects in regional areas.
Things to look forward to in 2025-2026
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway northern access ramp
It has taken four decades of advocacy! Work on site has begun. The days of having to haul your bike up 55 steps to reach the cycleway on the western side of the bridge should be over by early 2026. And not a moment too soon for those keen to access the city with children, heavy e-bikes or cargo bikes.
- M6 Active Transport Corridor
Although the M6 Stage 1 motorway project is besieged by subsidence issues, the 3km of pedestrian and cycling paths in a green corridor of revitalised parks and creeks between Kyeemagh and Monterey are still on track for completion in late 2025.
- Oxford Street West Cycleway
A generous separated cycleway is about to open on Oxford Street between Hyde Park and Taylor Square. This flagship project will deliver a safer, quieter and more liveable Oxford Street which is better for businesses, residents and bike riders.
A site visit to the Oxford Street West cycleway with colleagues from Better Streets, City of Sydney and Camcycle (Image: City of Sydney)
The completion of this section of Oxford Street will put considerable pressure on Transport for NSW to get on with the Oxford Street East project. Our campaign to Build a Better Oxford Street is not over yet!
Many other projects will keep us very busy behind the scenes:
We will fight to keep the South West Active Transport Link from slipping from the scope of works for Sydney Metro, and ensure that NSW Government adheres to its commitment to deliver the Sydney Park Junction project as per the original condition of consent.
We will campaign for Transport for NSW to build a critical missing link to the Alexandra Canal cycleway and a safe, compliant ramp on the south side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Bicycle NSW is involved in several active transport to school pilot projects. We will develop Active Travel Plans for 12 school across Western Sydney in 2025.
We will continue to support the e-mobility revolution, collaborating with stakeholders and advising government. A key project is a schools’ digital student bicycle licence that will be trialled with several partner councils, meeting the clear need for basic bike education.
Finally, our campaign to stop the overuse of bollards on cycling infrastructure is gaining momentum with Transport for NSW now reviewing policies for terminal treatments.
The Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund
The Bicycle NSW Environmental Trust is now trading as the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund.
The Trust was established in 2003 to promote bicycle riding as an environmentally beneficial means of transport. The Trust helps Bicycle NSW and other nation-wide advocacy groups and peak bodies to continue our valuable work of getting more people riding bikes through advocacy, community building and educational programs.
Find out more about the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund
CEO Peter McLean and Membership Coordinator Yvonne Poon discuss the Castlereagh Street Cycleway, just around the corner from the Bicycle NSW office. Our team is small but our work is amplified by many volunteers from Bicycle User Groups and the wider bicycle community. We thank everyone who has helped us this year. (Image: Bicycle NSW)