Opponents Question Plan to Replace Sydney CBD Parking With Cycle Lanes

Debates rages on in response to the City Centre Access Strategy as it's revealed that the CBD could loose around 20% of its parking places and loading zones on two key streets to make way for the expanded cycle path scheme.

1 minute read

October 9, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Kat Martindale


Further reading of the City Centre Access Strategy published by the O'Farrell government last month has revealed that hundreds of parking places and loading zones are to be replaced by cycle lanes. Fairfax Media, owners of the Sydney Morning Herald, suggest that this could mean the loss of 250 spaces, and suggest the dedicated cycle lanes would come at a great inconvenience to city business and their workers. 

Chan Vongsarath, an electrical contractor working nearby commented that ''it's not feasible to pay $50 an hour for off-street parking and carry our tools down from the top floor''. 

The City of Sydney Council have said that early estimates suggest that the CBD would loose 20% of its parking places and loading zones on Castlereagh and Kent streets. Wentworth Avenue, Pitt Street, King Street, Liverpool Street, Hay Street and Campbell Street would also loose some parking bays.

This decision is backed by the government's resolve to encourage off-street parking and estimates that there are 7,000 to 21,000 vacant spaces in the CBD per day. It is a position that David Borella, president of Bike Sydney, agrees with. ''We all still want our coffees and shopping items but the current transport landscape by far too much prioritises the parking of cars.'' 

Saturday, October 5, 2013 in Sydney Morning Herald

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

April 23 - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

April 23 - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

April 23 - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.