A stretch of waterfront path in Sydney’s inner west has been treated to a suite of bike-friendly upgrades to make the popular route a safer and even more enjoyable one.
The Bay Run is a 7km loop around Iron Cove, a bay on the Parramatta River, and winds through the suburbs of Lilyfield, Rozelle and Haberfield among others.
The flat route and scenic surroundings make the Bay Run a popular recreational path for joggers, walkers and bike riders, with an estimated 5000 people making use of it daily.
A $5 million injection, funded in part by Transport for NSW, has given a busy section of the route an impressive makeover.
The upgrades centre around a transformation of the Lilyfield Road Bridge, which now features improved safety courtesy of freshly concreted separated paths for riders and pedestrians that extend to the UTS Rowing Club 300 metres away.
The makeover also marks a key milestone for the adjoining GreenWay project, a planned 6km environmental and active transport corridor running from Iron Cove to the south. A new ramp has been constructed to better connect the two by linking the Lilyfield Road Bridge path with the shared path along the Hawthorne Canal.
“I believe the Lilyfield Road Bridge upgrade is going to be one of the most popular gathering places in the GreenWay corridor,” says Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
New seating, recreational areas and an outdoor fitness hub have been built at the Lilyfield Road Bridge foreshore area to create a spot for people to rest and gather. New lighting has been installed on the upgraded section of the path to improve safety for those travelling after dark.
“The Bay Run is a local icon and a walking and cycling superhighway,” says Transport Minister Jo Haylen. “Thousands of people use the Bay Run every week to get out and enjoy the fresh air, exercise or commute. The new lights mean people can safely use this vital commuter link late in the evening or early in the morning.
“The transformation of Lilyfield Road Bridge completely repurposes this old road link into the perfect spot to stop, relax and enjoy the beautiful views over the bay. It now features gym equipment and widens the space available for people walking and cycling, eliminating one of the Bay Run’s few remaining pinch points.”