Concern over cycleway construction

A neighbourhood group has expressed concerns that construction work going on in Bourke Street, Surry Hills is harming local trade.

A new cycleway is being constructed as part of City of Sydney Council’s new network, while at the same time pipes under the street are being repaired.

Brian Noad from the Nichols Street Community Group says the building is having a negative impact on businesses.

He said wire mesh fencing around the construction site makes it difficult to see the businesses open behind it.

Lumiere coffee shop at Taylor Square is one business that has reportedly suffered.

“Their revenue has been decimated in the last couple of months because of the building of the cycleway right in front of their property,” Mr Noad said.

“No-one wants to sit around and have a coffee with jackhammers.”

He said Council has not offered proprietors any compensation for lost revenue.

Chairperson of the Surry Hills Business Alliance, Brian Adams, said local business owners were “incensed” by the lack of consideration.

“Council does everything it can to deter the business person and yet with [City of] Sydney Council at least two thirds of their rates come from small business,” he said.

A Council spokesperson said that according to research firm AECOM, the new cycleways were expected to help businesses in the long run.

“We can now say with confidence that our investment in cycling will deliver solid economic returns,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s an outstanding investment – for every $1 the benefit to our economy is approximately $4 compared with an average of $2 for roads.”

The spokesperson added that “Council works closely with local businesses and makes every attempt to minimise disruptions during the construction of cycleways.”

Mr Noad’s other concern was that many cyclists ignore road rules and ride dangerously.

Based on his own personal observation of 445 cyclists at 45 different intersections, Mr Noad said he saw an alarming number of cyclists behaving in dangerous ways.

“Overall, 38 per cent of observed cyclists ignored red lights, failed to wear helmets and illegally rode on footpaths,” he said.

He called for tougher penalties for dangerous cyclists and said those caught riding badly should be forced to attend a ‘Cycling in the City’ workshop run by Council.

But Richard Birdsey from Bicycles NSW said that the penalties in place for rogue cyclists are harsh enough.

“The police already have the power to prosecute, fine and take points off the Drivers Licence of cyclists that break road rules,” he said.

“Cars and pedestrians do exactly the same things as observed by this so-called ‘survey’. If we want safer streets then all road users need to slow down, look properly and be more considerate.”

By Jennifer Lush