$1.2 billion Warringah Freeway upgrade fails to include cycleways

[trailgumby]

If anyone is wondering where their state advocacy body membership money goes, or why they should become a member to help fund the work they do and boost the number of people they represent, here is an example.

A billion-dollar freeway upgrade on Sydney’s north shore fails to address the “missing link” in the north shore cycleway and has forced NSW Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes to step in and bring the highway builders back to the negotiating table.

The four-kilometre Warringah Freeway upgrade between North Sydney and Naremburn aims to cater for the expected traffic from a new harbour crossing but does not include any cycleways.

...

“Bicycle groups have raised with me concerns about this process,” he said. “I’ve directed Transport for NSW to reset consultation with them and to provide immediate clarity about the future of the network.”

Bicycle NSW president Peter McLean said Transport for NSW needed to “hold the contractors to account” since a condition of the project was that the builder needed to consult councils and cyclist groups.

This was brought to the attention of Minister Stokes in a meeting the week before last by the Bicycle NSW CEO and affiliated bicycle user group Bike North after giving notice to the contractor they were suspending participation in the mandatory community consultation until such time as meaningful plans and documentation were provided.

This is a high profile example, but is an example nonetheless of the less visible work that bodies like BNSW do every day, responding to Council public consultation and holding contractors, local and state government to account to deliver what their policy documents say they should.

Those who do this essential work need to eat and feed their families just like we do. As the proverb says, it's rude to muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. If riders want this work to continue, it needs funding through memberships and donations

NSW: https://bicyclensw.org.au/bnsw-membership/
ACT: https://www.pedalpower.org.au/membership/
SA: https://bikesa.asn.au/membership
Victoria: https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/membership/

[skyblot]

This is a high profile example, but is an example nonetheless of the less visible work that bodies like BNSW do every day, responding to Council public consultation and holding contractors, local and state government to account to deliver what their policy documents say they should.

Those who do this essential work need to eat and feed their families just like we do. As the proverb says, it's rude to muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. If riders want this work to continue, it needs funding through memberships and donations

NSW: https://bicyclensw.org.au/bnsw-membership/
ACT: https://www.pedalpower.org.au/membership/
SA: https://bikesa.asn.au/membership
Victoria: https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/membership/

Exactly. And because a lot of this work is done quietly in the background most people don't realise it is happening, or that it makes a difference. I'm sure a lot of people only think in terms of the next charity ride...

BQ (Bicycle Queensland https://bq.org.au/) have been regularly running facebook posts re their advocacy movements, and while it takes time and effort to do this I appreciate knowing what is going on in the background.

[mikesbytes]

Is there an update on the lack of Warringah Freeway cycleways?

[familyguy]

Given the state of the works, it will be a long time as a work site. Undoubtedly with a dozen changes yet to roll through which cripple links across and/or through and makes "your drive to work smoother" (but longer, nyah).

[Mububban]

One thing I must compliment the WA government on is whenever they do a major roadwork on a highway or freeway, they seem to add in beautifully constructed separated bike paths alongside the roadworks. It really does make getting around much safer than being on road, and doesn't compromise your speed either because the paths are so wide and well maintained, with good visibility.