Clover Moore’s vision of a system of cycleways extending across inner-city Sydney came closer to reality after councillors voted in favour of its “liveable green network” strategy last week.
According to Sydney’s Lord Mayor, the strategy sets the framework for high quality public streets and spaces and sustainable transport in the coming years and decades.
As well as connected green spaces and bicycle lanes, motor vehicle speed limits will be dropped to 40km per hour in the central business district, while more bubblers will be provided in public places to reduce consumption of bottled water.
“About one million people come into the local government area every day for work, study, shopping or recreation, and 85 per cent come by public transport, walking or cycling,” Ms Moore said.
“Improving public streets can make walking and riding real transport choices for short trips between the city centre, neighbourhoods, public transport, parks and education and cultural and recreational facilities.
“Shading, bubblers and places to sit with WiFi, as well as way-finding signage and public art, can help create vibrant and attractive streets.”
Earlier this year a survey by University of Technology Sydney journalism students found that many residents would drink from bubblers if they were more readily provided.
Ms Moore has come under fire for her ambitious bicycle lane plans, amid claims that they and her politics were driving business out of the city centre.
The backlash was visible on Twitter, where one trending topic last week was “Sydney Can’t Afford Clover Moore”.
Ms Moore replied that the Property Council’s most recent national survey showed demand for office space in Sydney’s CBD had recorded its strongest growth in the past three years.
Commercial office growth in the city centre was nearly eight times that of other Sydney metropolitan business districts, and almost doubled Melbourne’s growth, Ms Moore said.
She said the business move to western Sydney being witnessed now was the result of the former State Government’s decentralisation initiatives.
Meanwhile, Ms Moore has been buoyed by reports that cycleways may be increasing housing prices in areas where they have been built.
