Leichhardt Bike Plan

BY BOB MOORE, LEICHHARDT BICYCLE USERS GROUP (LBUG), March 2001 (with some updates).

See also News and Issues for recent updates on cycling facilities and problems around Leichhardt.

Leichhardt Bike Plan and Bike Plan Notes give more details (word documents)

Bicycle facilities prior to adoption of bike plan in 1996:

Bike /parking lanes: A network of bike/parking lanes (shared car parking and bicycle travel lane) on sub arterials and local streets was implemented in about 1992- 1994.

1. Perry/Jane/Darley/Foster/Tebbut Sts ( Foster and Tebbut mostly sub standard width B/P lanes of about 3.2m or less, exposing cyclists who choose to use the lane to hazard from opening car doors).
Bike lanes lost in Jane St when CWL opened.

2. East-West Route Allen St (from Darley Rd)/Derbyshire Rd/ Moore St/ Booth St/Junction St/St Johns Rd/Glebe St/ Kelly St (The East West route to city was first implemented in mid-eighties after the 1982 Bike Plan, and included a path along Orphan School Creek from Wigram Rd to Foss St as part of the route. Bike/parking lanes were installed in Allen, Moore, Booth, and St Johns Rd.)

A cycle refuge crossing in Bridge Rd at Cross St/Junction St was constructed in mid eighties (1982 Bike Plan) to allow a safe crossing from the Orphans School Ck cycle route via Foss St. The Orphans Ck cyclepath has long since been impassable thus forcing cyclists onto busy Bridge Rd, or to take hilly side streets from Wigram Rd to Bridge Rd. A sign exempting cyclists from the right turn ban was placed at Ross St to allow cyclists to turn from Bridge Rd into Ross St, and thus avoid the steep bit of St Johns Rd. Another Right Turn exemption was put in at Booth Lane off Wigram Rd, just before Booth St. UPDATE 12/2004: Leichhardt Council signposted the route from Allen St to Glebe St in 2002/3. Orphans Ck route has been closed due to major redevelopment on the old Childrens Hospital Site, but a potential cycle route from Booth St to Bridge Rd at Lyons Rd, through the development, on Alexandra St is possible. This would to some extent solve the "missing link" problem between Booth St and Junction St. City Council and RTA cooperation would be needed.

3. Marion St also marked with Bike Parking lanes between Norton St and Flood St (MarketPlace).

4. Bike/parking lanes in The Crescent were done out of RTA funds and during other council upgrades (eg bike lanes thru roundabout at Chapman Rd) - maybe partly bike plan funded. Bike/parking lane northbound from roundabout (Nelson to Trafalgar) is too narrow - serves as a car park only. Indented parking bays would be possible. Other works planned in The Crescent/Ross St in the BP havent been done. Main problem is still the road underpass of the rail line at Johnston St - nth bound bike lane becomes a 0.5 m shoulder. RTA refused to make it wider and surface is bad, with RPMs on edge lines. A Watch for Cyclist sign is the only RTA concession to cycle safety. Speed limit still 60K. UPDATE (12/2004): A bypass of the bendy bits of The Crescent is now possible via a new path constructed by the City of Sydney Council from the rear of the Crescent Timber Yard, under the Light Rail viaduct to Chapman Rd Sth, which rejoins The Crescent at the roundabout at Nelson St. Missing is a convenient kerb ramp where the path meets Chapman Rd Sth.

There is some bike lane marking in Johnston St just before The Crescent, to allow cyclists to enter The Crescent in their own lane.The marking is useful at the intersection but is not logical further back past the exit from the quarrystone premises, because the bike lane starts from the kerb rather than next to the travel lane.

5. Wentworth Park Rd has bike/parking lanes marked. Possibly some bike logos were marked. (NB Now part of City of Sydney Council area.)

6. Darling St/Balmain Rd from near Rozelle Hospital main gates ( Cecily St) to Leichhardt St.(Bike lane marking has worn away in Balmain Rd between Lilyfield Rd to Perry St). Section of northbound bike lane was marked in Balmain Rd from Paramatta Rd to Leichhardt St - since been remarked twice. This is useful, but some cyclists use it in the wrong direction, i.e southbound. Some pavement arrows are needed. UPDATE 12/04: Lane lines worn out again and Council cannot make up its mind on whether to redo or install traffic calming devices.

Note: Bike logos were not placed in bike/parking lanes due to confusion over a court case, since resolved, but still no bike logos or bike route signs. Basically this has meant 99% of motorists do not appreciate that there are any bike/parking lanes in Leichhardt. Most residents think thes lanes are a wide parking lane and park anywhere, negating the purpose of the bike/parking lane. (Some logos have since been painted in these lanes, some even of the correct large size 1100xa800 as recommended in Austroads 14. In Glebe, parking bays have also been marked to encourage cars to park in close to kerb)

7. Shared path declared along Victoria Rd from Iron Cove Bridge to Darling St, and kerb ramps built at Terry st and Wellington St.

Since 1996:

Anzac Bridge -  Construction of shared pedestrian/cycle path from the Crescent to the new Anzac Bridge in 1997 greatly aided cyclists getting to the City. Cyclepath duplicated on northern side of bridge approaches in 2000 improved access from Balmain. Missing link is now the section along Victoria Rd footpath from Robert St to start of cycleway. Also problems with poles being erected on path on The Crescent section. Despite many calls for action, there are no shared path signs on the section from The Crescent to Victoria Rd. ( Note: since about 2001 some of these poles have been removed but still no shared path signs in The Crescent between Johnstone St and the CWL).Since 2000: Shared path now extended to Roberts St, Rozelle and on to the Anzac Bridge Cycleway. Problems at Bus Shelters at White Bay due to narrow footpath and large poorly sited shelters..UPDATE 11/04: Cycleway on south side of the western approaches to Anzac Bridge has been dug up to make way for an extra traffic lane westbound off the Bridge - said to be needed because of extra traffic generated by the Cross City Tunnel. An overpass, at the Victoria Rd intersection, for cyclists and pedestrians will be built by mid 2005 to restore easy access to the Bridge, via the northern path.

Lilyfield Rd - recently finished as part of RTA Regional route from City to Concord. Council constructed the cycle by pass lanes at the road narrowing at Gordon St in about 1996.
RTA currently checking some problems, such as incorrect line marking at Catherine St and Denison St, and a poorly marked bike lane at the Norton St intersection. Problems at Gordon St with motorists often executing left turns across the path of cyclists going straight ahead on Lilyfield Rd.

Terry St, Rozelle - some bike lanes marked and signed between Wellington St and Victoria Rd- in places where cars can also park - not entirely logical. Developers talked Council into narrowing Terry St and thereby not having space to include the cyclelanes that were in the original approved plans. Crossing of Terry St at Victoria Rd dangerous due to left and right turning cars off Victoria Rd. Crossing of Victoria Rd at Terry St is a tedious two stage process, with cyclists having to wait for two sets of lights.

 City West Link. Bike lane (1.5 m shoulder) marked between Balmain Rd and Hawthorne Canal. Gets filled with debris. Needs regular sweeping. Wide kerbside lanes (4.2m) were allowed for in stage one of CWL east of Balmain Rd, and provided a smoother path for cyclists. New lane marking to provide an extra lane just east of Balmain Rd has reduced lane width, making this uphill section more dangerous for cyclists. Could be a footpath diversion for last 100m before Balmain Rd.

 Foreshore path constructed between Lilyfield Rd and Glover St, partly out of bike plan funds in about 1996/97 ( Trevor Jennings). Foreshore path next to Canal Rd  suffers from cars parking with noses over path. Wheel stops needed.

Path thru King George V Park done out of DUAP foreshore grant in 2000. Glover St steps replaced with a ramp in late 2002, great job! Path duplicated between Glover St and Canal Rd in 2004.)

Hawthorne Canal path may have been built partly out of the bike budget. Paved connection to Daniel/Loftus and Darley Rds was done in 1999 or 2000. Bike lane line marking from the cul-de-sac off Darley Rd to Allen St was done earlier, probably when the Allen St bike /parking lane was marked, pre 1996. Residents park cars in the bike lanes. Dog owners have effectively made the path useless on weekends near Cafe Bones - at least cyclists can use the path on the Haberfield side. A duplicated path is needed, avoiding Cafe Bones.

Cycle path along Johnstons Ck from Taylor St under The Crescent to Jubilee Park was constructed using money from Harold Park redevelopment sources. A further extension takes it on towards Bicentennial Park - still some problems at road crossings but useful..

Whites Creek. This is a useful north-south cycle route from Parramatta Rd to Brenan St. Sections have been improved but not in a very coordinated way. A section of cycle path through the Council constructed wetlands was built in about 2002. A refuge crossing at Styles St on the Whites Ck route was installed around 1996, and a missing kerb ramp has recently been installed. The crossing is potentially dangerous due to cars travelling too fast on the down hill from Collins St, and the limited refuge and footpath space for cyclists. Other works like sign-posting and resurfacing/repairs along Whites Ck and Whites Ck Lane (particularly under Booth St) from Parramatta Rd (Macquarie St) to Brenan St are urgently needed. UPDATE 2004: The path from Piper St to Brenan St was upgraded using RTA funds, improving sight lines and surfaces. Still a bit rough at the Brenan St connection. LBUG suggested the money would have been better spent on upgrading the whole route and using the existing back lane on the other side of the canal instead of upgrading the path.

Balmain- NOTHING! not even parking rails in the shopping strip. Exception - some bike lanes marked in new development in Hyam St as part of the East Balmain Route in Bike Plan - still awaiting sign posting. Buchanan St has been narrowed and car parking allowed, thus negating hoped for bike lane along this part of the route. UPDATE:since 2002 some sign posting of the East Balmain route has been done, linking in with a route from Birchgrove and Mort By - good for tourists and a handy way into East Balmain. Also, in c.2003, bike/parking lanes were marked in Darling St from Victoria Rd to about Roundtree St in Balmain. Useful in places but there are problems at roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.

Contra flow lane installed in Arundel St, Forest Lodge, between Uni footbridge and Derwent St (eastern end of Arundel) - nice but not that useful - most cyclists use Catherine St, also parked cars on northern side of Arundel are pointing right at the cyclists. The logos were put in pointing the wrong way. 2003:Now City of Sydney's problem.

Some kerb ramps here and there - cnr of Eglington and Northcotte Rds, Glebe Pt; cnr of The Crescent and Chapman Rd, Railway Pde cul de sac; Quirk and Hornsey Sts at Victoria Rd. Also in Derbyshire St behind Leichhardt High. Other kerb ramps being gradually installed on many streets for pedestrians will make cycling easier, although they may encourage footpath cycling when using the adjacent road would be preferable and safer, as many accidents happen at intersections of footpaths with side streets.

Road closure at Allen St and Norton St was designed to allow bicycles through - still a bit tight,  and it is difficult to make a right turn from Norton northbound into Allen St. Also encourages cyclists to ride across a pedestrian crossing, which is illegal. Other road closures have been installed with provision for cyclists - eg Railway Pde cul-de-sac and Francis St. Update: A recently installed sign requesting cyclists to dismount when crossing Norton St is NOT the answer!

Bicycle Parking. Council acquired a number of inverted U shape rails from Bicycle NSW in the 1990's and has installed some along Norton St, at the Aquatic Centre, in Elkington Park and outside the Council Chambers. Some bike racks were left, uninstalled, leaning against a fence next to Balmain Library.(since removed, one installed outside Library). Parking urgently need in Rozelle and Balmain. Bike parking in the Woolies carpark has been promised by Woolies but has been delayed by Council refusing an application by Woolies for other changes to the car park. Bike parking in Norton St could be improved. Some bike parking is provided in Norton Plaza car park. The toast rack style parking outside Norton Plaza is not very useful and has long been dropped from bike planning guidelines. Some innovation is needeed - Toronto rings for example.

Mention should also be made of inclusion of bicycle planning guidelines in the new Town Plan, including bicycle planning requirements for developers, and also availability of some section 94 and Parking fee money for funding the Leichhardt Bike Plan.

What wasnt done that might have helped/what was done that didnt help:

 Introduction of one way street systems and angle parking in Rozelle failed to cater for cyclists - stopped a route from Terry St to Roberts St via Nelson St. One way systems in other areas make it hard for cyclists to get access - eg Wetherill St could allow cyclists to go west, to avoid busy Leichhardt St. Angle parking precluded bike/parking lanes in Catherine St, Leichhardt.

 "Traffic calming" in Elswick St leading to Fort St High from Marion St failed to include bike lanes. Angle parking was thought to be more important, even though no shortage of car parking was evident.

 No bike/parking lanes in Norton St, Glebe, Balmain or Rozelle shopping streets, where they might do some good. UPDATE 2004: Some now provided, of varying standard.

 No route behind The Crescent Timber yard to connect two sections of Chapman Rd to avoid the bends in The Crescent - still could be done. UPDATE 2004: Now almost done. Just needs signage and a kerb ramp at Chapman Rd Sth.

Path in Bicentennial Pk, Glebe, diagonally across to corner of Northcotte and Eglinton St getting rougher and rougher. Needs remaking. UPDATE 2004: City of Sydney has redone the paths to a good standard. Path to be extended around to Blackwattle Bay as part of Clover Moore's foreshore plan.

Road narrowing at Perry and Emmerick Sts still too narrow on east bound side, with a big tar bump just before it to throw cyclists off line. This tar bump mentioned in 1996 bike plan is still there in 2001. The west bound gap was widened to allow room for cyclists. UPDATE 2004: Tar bump finally repaired on one side, but getting bad on the other side (westbound side).

Speed limit of 60Km/hr on RTA controlled local roads is too high - particularly on The Crescent which is substandard for motorists as well as cyclists, Would it hurt motorists to have a lower limit? Council's 50 K limit on other streets is a step in right direction, according to most research. The 40 K trial in the Balmain /Rozelle area has apparently not been well complied with. RTA is planning to spend a lot on traffic calming and speed reduction devices.

 Road closure in Quirk St near O'Connor Reserve prevents access for cyclists along a route allowing cyclists to avoid Victoria Rd. A simple change to the barriers could improve things.

 CWL - RTA failed to allow any sensible crossing facilities for cyclists at Balmain Rd or Catherine Sts. Catherine St has three lanes southbound! No shared path sign on footpaths mean cycling is effectively illegal northbound. Balmain Rd footpath on eastern side has been closed. Pedestrians have to make a three stage crossing to regain the paved footpath on Balmain Rd, south of the CWL. UPDATE 2004: RTA has been instructed to put in the bike crossing at Catherine St (letter to LBUG from Parliamentary Secretary, June 2004), but still no action!

 CWL lanes narrowed uphill east of Balmain Rd to allow for a turning lane - wide 4.2 m kerbside lane originally designed for cyclists lost. Need a shared footpath up the CWL from Catherine St or at least from Percival St.

 Pothole mentioned in Ross St near St Johns Rd in 1996 Bike Plan still not fixed - actually a sunken repair with an exposed edge. ( In northbound kerbside lane about 5 m S of St Johns Rd.) Now City of Sydney area.

Angle parking in Catherine St, Leichhardt, prevented marking of bike/parking lanes. Proliferation of angle parking in other areas making roads less safe for cyclists (danger of reversing vehicles and loss of space for cyclists, also encouraging more car ownership by providing free parking.)

Forum development - no connection via Dot Lane from Norton St to Balmain Rd (part of a possible link from Norton to Nelson St via Hay, Redmond and Albion Sts).

Pedestrian refuges often create squeeze points for cyclists and disrupt bike/parking lanes.

Use of raised pavement markers along lane lines makes streets more hazardous for cyclists. RPMs on well lit streets would seem to be overkill. RPMs often sited inside bike/parking lanes rather than in the travel lanes as RTA guidelines recommend, but even if in travel lanes they are often on the line a cyclist will take to avoid car doors.

Driveways and kerb ramps with substantial lips are still being built. These make bicycle access more difficult and can lead to punctures or loss of control. Tighter controls on builders and concretors needed to conform with accepted standards - smooth driveways and 1 in 10 slopes.

New bus shelters sited without thought for possible effects on cyclists using footpaths (children and accompanying adults now legally able to use footpaths). Examples - The Crescent between Johnston St and Railway Pde, Robert St between Victoria Rd and Mullens. These footpaths form part of routes in the Bike Plan and would need to be signed as shared paths.

Priorities- some suggestions.

East West Route upgrade. ( see earlier letter to Council). Ensure missing link is constructed through Childrens Hospital site, or bike lanes marked in Bridge Rd. Sign posting from City to Leichhardt.

Balmain routes. Crescent St to Evans St. Robert St/Buchannan to Donnely/Adolphus/East Balmain.

Quirk St, Rozelle. ( Victoria Rd to Evans St, through OConnor Reserve. Widen gap around road closure in Quirk St, signpost, kerb ramp at Evans St)

Dot Lane connection Norton to Balmain and Hay Sts.

Logos in all bike/parking lanes ( 1800/1100 is the standard, as on Lilyfield Rd)  and erection of bike route signs. Parking guide lines marked on Booth/Moore St and Darley Rd to encourage drivers to park close to kerb.

Chapman Rd connection ( short section of path needed under railway viaduct to link north and south sections of Chapman Rd. Logs removed from access behind the Timber Yard.)

The Crescent/Ross St- better lane marking, warning signs, indented parking, stand up lane(Wigram Rd), lower speed limit.

Balmain Rd - construct footpath from Moore St west to City West Link. Redo line marking and logos Lilyfield Rd to Perry St (totally worn off).

Bike parking in Balmain/Rozelle shopping centre in Darling St and in Glebe Pt Rd.

Bike lanes on Bridge Rd from Booth St to Fish Markets ( with RTA)

Contra flow lane in Wetherill St.

Improvements to Allen St/Norton road closure and provision of right turn lane for cyclists Norton into Allen St east.

Bike/parking lanes in Darling St, Rozelle to Balmain. Also in Norton St. ( Glebe Pt Rd seems to function OK with no lane marking, but could be considered.)

Whites Creek and Whites Creek Lane route from Albion St to Brenan St - repairs, repaving, hazard removal and sign posting.

Resite bus shelter in the Crescent to make room for a shared path from Railway Pde to Johnston St. ( Note- this has been done, now much improved, but path needs to be signposted as a shared path. Similarly with Robert St bus shelter near Victoria Rd. Improve Robert St footpath next to power station to give a shared path route between Victoria Rd and the start of Mullens St.

Sign post Booth Lane/Trafalgar lane/Piper St route. Construct cycle refuge crossing of Johnston St at Piper St South.

Sign post Glebe Pt/Leichhardt St/Sheehy St/Taylor St route in Glebe. (Now in City of Sydney Council area.)

See also News and Issues for recent updates on cycling facilities and problems around Leichhardt.

Leichhardt Bike Plan and Bike Plan Notes give more details (word documents)