Sydney Locals Launch Legal Action Over Oxford Street Cycleway

A simmering dispute over the Oxford Street cycleway has escalated, with Paddington residents and business owners launching legal action against the project.

The $70 million initiative, aimed at enhancing cycling infrastructure, has faced criticism for its potential impact on pedestrian safety and local commerce.

The controversy centres on the design of “floating bus stops,” which require pedestrians to cross the cycleway to access buses.

Kathryn Greiner, a former city councillor, Michael Waterhouse, and a number of other community members complained to the Australian Human Rights Commission in June last year about the island bus stops on the eastern suburbs route, citing that they pose risk to elderly members of the community and people with disability.

“I have a deafness problem, I don’t hear a cyclist’s bell,” said Waterhouse. “If you’re blind, you’re on a hiding to nothing because you simply have no idea what’s going on. Oxford Street has long, straight stretches, so cyclists can get to 40 or 50km/h.”

“People might say they want the more direct Oxford Street cycleway. We are not opposed to cyclists and cycleways. Safety for cyclists is important – convenience is not unimportant – but there needs to be a trade-off between that and the safety of elderly and disabled people,” Waterhouse told SMH.

The commission terminated the group’s complaint after finding there was no likelihood of the matter being settled by conciliation — which allowed the group of locals to file the complaint in the Federal Court.

Community divided over Oxford Street cycleway

Community sentiment has been deeply divided on the the Oxford Street cycleway development, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressing support along with cyclists, but community members arguing the development holds major risks.

Local businesses have also voiced opposition, citing potential disruptions to traffic flow and customer access. Some business owners have reported a decline in foot traffic during construction, expressing concerns about long-term economic impacts. 

Transport NSW have been ‘consulting with businesses and community’ over cycleway

Waterhouse and Greiner have proposed to Transport for NSW that they change the route of the eastern-most section of the cycleway — which would avoid Oxford Street — amending the route to run along Flinders Street in Darlinghurst, and Paddington’s Moore Park Road.

The group have also proposed that the City of Sydney implement a range of risk mitigation measures for the controversial bus stops, suggesting speed humps, traffic lights for cyclists at pedestrian crossings, and cameras for accountability and any crashes that occur.

“Transport [for NSW] has been consulting businesses and the community on a proposed separated cycleway on Oxford Street between Taylor Square and Centennial Park, including with the accessible transport advisory committee. No decisions have yet been made by the NSW government,” said a Transport for NSW spokesperson.

However, critics argue that the consultation process was insufficient and that the design prioritises cyclists over vulnerable pedestrians. 

Despite the backlash, the NSW Government and City of Sydney Council are proceeding with the project, emphasising its role in promoting sustainable transport and revitalising Oxford Street. The outcome of the legal challenge may set a precedent for future urban infrastructure projects, balancing the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, and local communities.

The matter is now before the courts.