A competition to design a Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp – allowing riders to bypass carrying their bicycle up 55 steps on their morning commute – ill be held, after the community backed a proposed ramp from Bradfield Park to the existing bridge deck cycleway.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the community will be asked for feedback on three shortlisted architectural designs before a winner is announced later this year.
The release earlier this year of two artists’ concepts, a linear and a spiral option at Milsons Point, sparked division between cyclists, the local council and residents. The Sydney Morning Herald has been covering the issue throughout the year.
The spiral version (pictured below) was not well received.
“The Harbour Bridge cycleway is one of the most popular bike routes in the city, with an average of 2,000 cyclists using it each day. Patronage is expected to increase once the ramp is built and cyclists no longer have to carry their bikes up the stairs.
“Transport for NSW will continue to engage with residents and community groups as the design process progresses, as well as with Heritage NSW.”
Transport for NSW conducted consultation that reached 6,300 people and heard from 2,759 through surveys and submissions. 82 per cent voted in favour of the bike ramp, with the majority wanting the linear option over a looped ramp at Milsons Point.
