Waverley Council to hold public opening of Bondi Junction Cycleway
Image: Hayley Katzen; Michael Burge; Ellen van Neerven; Mykaela Saunders; Gavin Yuan Gao. Images: kyoglewritersfestival.com
By ERIN MODARO
Waverley Council is celebrating the opening of the Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape upgrade, with a public event being held on June 14. The completion of the Bondi Road to St James Road section of the cycleway is a part of an $18 million project funded by both the federal and state governments, executed by the Waverley Council to connect Bondi to Sydney city for cyclists.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos will attend event to launch the newest section to the public, with the event also featuring free trishaw rides by Cycling Without Age.
“The Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape Upgrade is a priority project of the Council’s Complete Streets plan to enhance the vibrancy of the Bondi Junction CBD, making it a more beautiful place to live, visit and do business,” Mayor Masselos said.
Mayor Masselos also confirmed that the upgrades fall in line with the councils sustainability target of net zero by 2035, as the cycleway contributes to the reduction of cars in the area, as well as an increase of trees lining the streets. The council will also be mitigating safety concerns with an “awareness campaign” for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as additional signage in the area of the cycleway.
Cycleways to link eastern suburbs and inner-city
The entirety of the cycleway will link Oxford Street, Syd Einfeld Drive and Bondi Road to provide cycling space throughout the centre of Bondi Junction. NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said in a statement last month that the cycleways already constructed have been a success.
“We’re already seeing up to 5,000 bike riders a week on sections of Oxford Street and this number will only grow as people become more and more confident to use what was a missing link in the network.”
The 7 stage plan for completion of the project began in August of 2019, with the Bondi Road and St James Road section completing the second-to last of the cycleways. The council states that the final 210 metres of cycleway connecting Oxford Street to Centennial Park is expected to be completed late 2022.
