Western Sydney wins big with bike blueprint

More than 600km of bike lanes are planned in Western Sydney under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Strategic Cycleway Corridors Program, aimed at creating a connected cycleway network for the booming population.

Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said once fully completed, the network would revolutionise the way people move around Western Sydney.

“This is a blueprint for bike lanes that maps out 58 corridors stretching from Box Hill to Burwood, down to Macarthur and back up to Western Sydney Airport and Penrith, transforming the way Western Sydney families travel,” Mr Stokes said.

“Building this infrastructure will allow people to leave the car at home and move from suburb to suburb on bikes, promoting healthy lifestyles, helping the hip pocket, easing congestion and reducing emissions.

“The release of these corridors is a vital step because it gives a clear picture of where we need to direct our investments in active transport over the coming years.”

The release of the Strategic Cycleway Corridors for the Central River and Western Parkland Cities follow the release of the Strategic Cycleway Corridors for the Eastern Harbour City in 2022.

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said Sydney’s north west would soon benefit from the Liberals and Nationals Government’s record $950 million active transport spend, with $3.3 million committed to a shared path on Schofields Road.

“The pandemic bike boom has showed no signs of slowing and we’ve heard the message from north west Sydney residents loud and clear – they want better and safer cycling options,” Mr Conolly said.

“That’s why we’re announcing that Blacktown Council’s application for Get NSW Active funding has been successful, and will fund the construction of a 3 kilometre shared path on the northern end of Schofields Road.”

Liberal candidate for Riverstone Mohit Kumar said the Schofields Road shared path would provide a crucial connection, allowing more locals to walk and cycle safely.

“The shared path will run for three kilometres between Railway Terrace and Tallawong Road, linking riders to the Tallawong Metro station in the east and Schofields station in the West,” Mr Kumar said.

“It will also connect to an existing two kilometre shared path that will link walkers and riders to Rouse Hill Town Centre.”

Corridors will be developed in stages to progressively expand the connected network. The plan identifies several immediate opportunities to investigate to connect key existing cycleways:

Transport for NSW will continue to work with councils and partners to progress these immediate opportunities as well as expanding the program to include other corridors within the strategic network.

For more information on the Strategic Cycleway Corridor program go to: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/walking-and-bike-riding/strategic-cycleway-corridors