Sydney Harbour Bridge steps

Together we can fix the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps

#TOGETHERWECAN

The problem

A lack of ramp access to and from the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has long been a source of frustration for bike riders.

With more than 2,000 daily bike trips, the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway is the busiest link in Sydney’s metro bike network – yet each morning riders and pedestrians are forced to navigate 55 steps to access the city’s iconic bridge.
The stairs prevent the elderly, parents with prams, kids, people with disabilities and other would-be bike riders who cannot physically get their bike up the steps from cycling into the CBD from the northern suburbs.

As a result, many cyclists commuting to the city have been forced into taking the ferry to Circular Quay before getting on their bike.

The solution

It’s simple – build a new ramp to replace the infamous steps and provide a connection to the future North Shore Link Cycleway.

A new ramp will improve connectivity and accessibility to the existing and future metro bicycle network.

The removal of the steps is also an important step forward in transforming Sydney into one of the world’s top riding destinations.

Current status:

For years, Bicycle Network has been campaigning to see a ramp built to replace the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps.

Despite limited details, things started to look positive with a series of announcements beginning in 2016.

However, until we see solid timelines or a shovel in the ground, we will continue to campaign for the removal of the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps.

We can appreciate that sometimes, these things take time. But we’re starting to get a little impatient.

We’ll make sure that decision-makers are held to their word and that the ramp meets the needs of people who ride bikes.

Timeline of announcements:

August 2016

the NSW Government announced plans for a ramp on the northern end of the bridge.

December 2016

Plans for a 200 metre ramp on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were once again confirmed as part of $35 million in funding but the detailed were decidedly light (sadly this website has since been removed).

As part of $35 million in funding from the state government, a new dedicated cycleway would also be constructed from the southern end of the bridge to Kent Street in the central city, removing the need for cyclists to use roads or shared footpaths.

At the time, Roads Minister Duncan Gay told the Sydney Morning Herald that the new ramp and cycleway would allow cyclists to ride more easily over the bridge, which he described as the “best cycleway in the world”.”We are putting important infrastructure in for the future of the city and for the future of cycling,” he said.

New ramps and cycleway for Sydney Harbour Bridge – Sydney Morning Herald, 7 December 2016

September 2017

Following an announcement in September by Roads Minister Melinda Pavey community consultation was set for November and December 2017.

November 2017

Designs for both the northern and southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway opened for public comment until the 15 December, 2017.

The plans include:

a step-free access for bike riders at the northern end of the cycleway by constructing an elevated ramp
provided a dedicated connection for bike riders from the cycleway to the Kent Street Cycleway and an improved shared bridge over the Cahill expressway.

See the proposals.

Bicycle Network prefers Option 2 (page 24) for the northern side of the bridge, providing a straight ramp supported on columns parallel to the western bridge approach wall through Bradfield Park.

Read Bicycle Network’s comments on the proposals.

March 2018

At a press conference Roads Minister Melinda Pavy announced that people who ride bikes will have to wait another two years before we see final plans and funding methods.

Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said there were “some big challenges” to the project including Milsons Point residents who fear the ramp will detract from their views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and impinge on nearby Bradfield Park.

Instead, the government has decided to prioritise construction of lifts at either end of the bridge, the cost of which has blown out to about $15 million, from $10 million.

North Sydney Councillor Gibson said residents preferred construction of a lift for cyclists.

November 2019

An updated proposal for a bicycle ramp replacing the inaccessible Sydney Harbour Bridge steps is expected to be released in the coming months.

In NSW State parliament, the Shadow Minister for Active Transport Jo Haylen, asked the Minister for Roads, Andrew Constance for an update on the long-awaited ramp.

May 2020

Bicycle Network backed a Bike North proposal to add an extra bike lane to the Sydney Harbour Bridge to create more space for people who ride as lockdowns ease.

June 2020

Transport officials are finalising plans for cycle ramps at the northern and southern ends of the Sydney Harbour Bridge more than two years after community opposition sidelined the project.

May 2021

Transport for NSW have released two new long-awaited concept designs for a bike ramp to replace the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps at Milsons Point.

June 2021

Community consultation has begun on the proposed concepts for a ramp to replace the 55 steps at the north end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Consultation is open until 27 June. Have your say here.