Parking - On-Street Bicycle Parking - LGA Wide

18/09/2025 - Parking - On-Street Bicycle Parking - LGA Wide

X022545.009

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee review the installation of "Bicycle Parking Only" and "No Stopping Bicycles Only" signs at 24 sites across the City of Sydney Local Government Area, as shown in the attached table and plans.

Advice

The Committee provided the following advice for this Item:

Community feedback received is summarised as follows:

·         Site 158 - 1 supporter,

·         Site 159 - 1 supporter,

·         Site 164 - 5 objections,

·         Site 177 - 2 objections, & 1 request for info,

·         Site 187 – 1 objection

·         Site 193 - 10 objections,

·         Site 194 - 1 objection.

·         Sites 193 and 194 are no longer being considered for installation.

Site 164 is subject to further investigation regarding waste collection. City staff will investigate options for loading zones near Site 187 and will refer the community member’s concerns about the footpath to the maintenance team. The suggestion for a pedestrian crossing is not supported due to proximity to signals.

The Representative for the Member for Balmain requested that private bicycles will not be forced to use designated bike parking areas. He also advised that Cook Street would not be suitable for mandatory designated bike parking areas. This has been noted.

TfNSW requested more information regarding how footpath space and bicycle parking demand are assessed in respect to proposed installation of designated bicycle parking spaces in on-street locations rather than on the footpath. Per the City’s Walking Strategy and Action plan, on locally controlled streets space is to be allocated for walking as the top priority over other road users. This is consistent with the Transport for New South Wales Road User Space allocation policy, which states that road space shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the network vision and road function of a site, with people walking considered first above all other transport modes. In this case network vision and road function are defined under the TfNSW ‘Design of Roads and Streets’ movement and place framework. Designated Bike Parking areas are proposed in on-street locations with sufficient demand and only in areas where this is consistent with the present and envisioned function of the road under this framework. The installation of these parking areas is also a tool that can be used to help achieve the City’s vision for safer streets that encourage active transport use over motor vehicle use, as they can change the character of a street and enhance visibility of alternate modes of transport. Note this vision is set out in the Sustainable 2030-2050 document and the Walking Strategy and Action Plan. Per these policies, installation of parking on-street is the preferred option when feasible. The request for information relating to demand for Site 152 (Hickson Road) bicycle parking area will be forwarded to the City’s cycle team.

TfNSW also requested ongoing updates on the performance of existing designated on-street bicycle parking areas. This will be referred to the City’s cycle team for their consideration.

As advised City staff are not aware of any complaints of share bikes falling or being left in the carriageway at designated on-street bicycle parking areas even at highly used locations such as Ultimo Road / Thomas Street.

The comments by TfNSW that City staff must use due diligence when considering intersection swept paths and sight distance checks for designated bicycle parking spaces at intersections is noted.

Background

The City of Sydney supports share bikes as a sustainable, low-cost transport option for everyday travel and deliveries. Use has grown rapidly, with 1.94 million trips in 2024 (a 92% increase from 2023), and an estimated 2.6 million trips in 2025. However, the rise in share bike and food delivery use has led to more bikes parked on footpaths in busy pedestrian areas. The community is requesting that these bikes be parked on the road to protect footpath amenity.