Land management of large sites like Sydney Airport can make or break connected cycling infrastructure.
Last week Bicycle NSW attended the Sydney Airport Active Travel Forum, which has met regularly over the past four years to make things better for people who walk and ride bikes.
Bicycle NSW has made previous submissions to improve bike riding and increase the mode-share of people travelling to the airport by foot and bike. These called for safe, connected pathways around the perimeter of the airport to enable people from surrounding suburbs to travel safely and as directly as possible to their destinations.
This connected pathway is best described on the Orbital website, produced by Tony Arnold. Councils and Sydney Water have worked hard to plan and build connections in from all sides. They’ve maximised the use of pathways along streams and other flat, off-road, enjoyable places to ride.
Millions of dollars invested in working to connect this infrastructure will be wasted if the Sydney Gateway development breaks connections for riders. Bicycle NSW, together with local BUGs met with land, transport and project managers to discuss the issues. Sydney Airport expects huge increases in passenger and freight movement. That means more staff and more road congestion unless safe off-road alternatives are provided for people travelling through, past and around the airport.
“We support the Orbital and the benefits it offers local communities, commuters and everyone who uses the airport. Nobody wants to be stuck in a traffic jam when they’re trying to make their flight,” said Bicycle NSW General Manager of Public Affairs, Bastien Wallace.
Bicycle NSW commends Sydney Airport’s efforts to increase active transport and calls for government support to deliver safe, connected, active transport infrastructure.
