Transport and access

Building more roads into the city centre is not an answer to crowded public transport because this will only encourage more people to drive. Congestion already costs residents and businesses $3.5 billion each year and this amount was predicted to increase to $8 billion by 2020.

Sydney’s GDP is $250 billion each year. This is one quarter of the nation’s and two-thirds of our state’s GDP. Doing nothing is not an option because the future of Australia’s biggest city will be under threat.

The city centre will continue to grow and we have to ensure there is more space for people and trees. This will help attract and retain high value jobs in innovation and other sectors.

We are encouraging people to travel by public transport, bike or foot to ensure our city remains sustainable and attractive while still meeting the needs of businesses that have set up shop in the local area.

Since 2013, we have worked with the NSW Government to implement its Sydney city centre access strategy.

The plan was designed to support growth. It contained actions to improve transport modes within the city centre. It focused on the experience of residents, workers and visitors who between them currently make more than 1 million trips daily to, from and within the city.

It introduced the concept of reallocating limited road space to deliver better public transport options more suited to improving the centre, such as light rail on George Street.

Castlereagh Street cycleway was built as far north as Liverpool Street. Pop-up cycleways now extend the network, including on Pitt Street north of King Street.

The NSW Government has progressively reduced speed limits in the city centre to no more than 40km/h. This is an important step that keeps people safe but also supports a more pleasant and productive city centre.

The NSW Government and the City of Sydney are updating the strategy in 2020/21. Key issues for the City include completing the cycleway network, ensuring as much loading and servicing is done off-street as is possible, and space and less waiting times for walking, especially around the new Sydney Metro stations.

In the last decade, cycling trips have doubled and attitudes to cycling have shifted significantly. 

We are committed to making bicycle transport easier and safer, so it’s an attractive option for more people.

In 2010, we commissioned independent research to quantify the economic benefits of the proposed inner Sydney regional bike network.

The cycling strategy and action plan 2018-2030 builds on the progress of the last 10 years and keeps us moving towards our target of 10% of all trips in the city to be made by bike.

The national cycling participation survey (NCPS) is a standardised survey that has been repeated biennially since 2011. The NCPS provides data on cycling participation at a national level and allows for estimates of participation for each state and territory, and the capital cities and non-capital areas within each state and territory.

Pop-up cycleways introduced as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 are helping the community understand the benefits of a more complete cycleway network, and how any impacts can be best managed.

Residents, workers and visitors have a right to enjoy safe streets, regardless of the time of day.

We are committed to making our streets as safe as possible.

Part of our commitment is the installation of street safety cameras, which is traditionally a state government responsibility but due to a lack of funding over the past 10 years we have instead ensured their installation. 

The federal government rejected our appeal for new camera funding.

We encourage sustainable transport networks by:

• making pedestrians a priority and creating wider, safer footpaths
• creating safe and accessible cycling paths
• rewarding sustainable transport, including low-emission vehicles and car share
• transforming George Street into a wide, pedestrian-friendly boulevard with a light rail link that will eventually connect 3 town squares at Railway Square (Central train station), Sydney Town Hall and Circular Quay
• working with the state government for better public transport options that are more convenient and able to carry more passengers.

We’re committed to making Sydney an easier city to explore on foot. We are spending over $15 million each year to build new and upgrade existing footpaths, and install pedestrian crossings.

As part of our walking strategy and action plan, we’re working to improve the walking experience for people of all ages.

Please note, the plan is a supporting document to our environmental action 2016–2021 strategy and action plan, which is our most up-to-date set of environmental targets and actions.

Key actions

• Creating at least 5km of additional pedestrianised streets and laneways
• Improving pedestrian lighting and footpath networks
• Working with the NSW Government to reduce pedestrian waiting times at crossings
• Investigating and promoting safer routes to schools
• Developing events and communication campaigns that promote walking
• Upgrading main streets to support the local economy
• Creating an integrated wayfinding system across the city
• Working with neighbouring local governments to improve walking infrastructure
• Making public spaces more accessible for everyone
• Taking a people-first approach when designing new developments and urban renewal areas
• Undertaking a walkability audit every 5 years to monitor improvements.