Bike parking 'improves accessibility' in Sydney

Improved parking for cyclists - especially as pupils gear up to go back to school - will continue to boost the popularity of two-wheeled transport in Sydney, according to the city's lord mayor.

Speaking last week (January 24), Clover Moore revealed that a number of city schools have installed free bike racks over the summer break as part of a council initiative to get kids out and about on their bikes.

School administrators note that since cycleways such as the Bourke Street path opened, the number of students arriving at school on two wheels has increased substantially.

"Cycling is much more accessible now. Our school is situated on the bike lane and a lot of our students also live on the bike lanes, so they can ride straight from home. A lot of families are getting rid of their cars and the parents are riding to work, so they want their kids to ride to school," said Peter Johnston, principal of Bourke Street Public School.

His school is one of four educational establishments that will see a combined total of 14 bike racks installed this month. Some $20,000 in funding from the council's bike parking initiative has been set aside to fund the scheme.

As plans for Sydney's inner city bike network continue to progress, Moore anticipates that even more Sydneysiders of all ages will take to their bikes.

This, she added, is a change that can have benefits for the entire community.

"Students riding or walking to school means less cars on the road in the morning peak, reducing congestion and improving safety on the roads around schools," Moore explained.

She added that any Sydney resident or business interested in supporting cycling in their local area can request bike parking.

These requests, she explained, can be made via the City of Sydney website

Locations close to to cycle paths may be an important factor for anyone considering a Sydney property investment, as good transport links are often appealing to prospective tenants.

Buyers may also want to investigate whether any new off-the-plan properties they are considering have been constructed with cyclists in mind - perhaps with communal bike racks or a safe storage space where riders can keep their gear.

New cycleways are just one of many strategies the City of Sydney is employing to ease traffic on its busy roads. A proposed light rail connection on George Street is another option that has been explored in recent months.