Car Free Sydney CBD - discussion

[Justin Fox]

A survey conducted by the City of Sydney recently showed that the one main thing stopping people who live in and around the city from cycling to work is that they were scared of cars!

The City's vision statement is:

Sydney will be a bicycle-friendly environment where people of all ages can use bicycles for enjoyment and as an equal transport choice.
The City and its villages will be interconnected by high quality cycling network that cyclists from children to the elderly feel safe and comfortable on.
Our community will recognise the important role of cycling in improving the quality of City life and community health; better environmental sustainability and reduced traffic pollution.
Cycling and walking will be the natural first choices for medium and short trips and local activities in our City villages.

So it looks like it's really happening. The initial $71 million (not that much if you really think about it) is going in to making bike paths all over the CBD.

I've already noticed the paths and bike lights too (bicycle traffic lights which allow for cyclists to go before cars).

By 2030 George Street will be car free. Meaning it will be like Pitt St. Mall where you can walk down the entire stretch.

A light tram system will be in place, it will also connect to Bondi Junction.

Discuss!

[ruskie]

Admirable, although highly impractical/improbable. Unless they intend to re-route George Street undergound or (somehow) provide more main arterial roads in the city, I for one can't envision it being executed properly. George Street (or perhaps Elizabeth Street) is THE main road in the CBD. Preventing car access to this street would cause gridlock through the remaining streets of the CBD. An further consequence of this would mean that people would park their cars on the suburbs surrounding the City. Given the current state of public transport, I can only imagine how much of a failure it would be, having to cope with all the extra commuters everyday. Ultimately Australians are just too dependant upon their vehicles. Are all these people who were surveye going to ride in the rain too?

I commend the City of Sydney for providing bike lanes/lights although I honestly think they should take baby steps. Also wouldn't the entire development be dependant upon the same government/politicians staying in power over the 20 years. We've all seen how quickly policies come and go with the change of power.

I'm hopeful, although I also take a pessimistic realistic viewpoint to this actually happening.

[Jarod]

Originally Posted by ruskie

Preventing car access to this street would cause gridlock through the remaining streets of the CBD.

I agree if the changes were made tomorrow. But the way I see this plan is that it's trying to change the habits of commuters over a medium to long term. If it's successful, there would be no gridlock resulting from closing George St as there'd be less cars in the CBD.

21 years is more than enough time to get public transport from the edges of the CBD to the centre of the CBD right.

[Tommo]

Considering I work and park in the city daily, this wouldn't be something I'm keen on at all. I pay my taxes, I work hard, I should be able to drive if I want to I think the idea of making bike paths is awesome, but unfortunately it'll just make pollution worse by generation more traffic... I don't like the idea of making the city car free... besides, I live near NO public transport. If I go into the city, I don't have easy access to a bike just to jump on...

[Matt Mead]

Sounds like a good idea, but impractical in so many differnt ways that i cant be bothered typing haha

[BT180]

Originally Posted by Justin Fox

By 2030 George Street will be car free. Meaning it will be like Pitt St. Mall where you can walk down the entire stretch.

That'll be the day!

[ukalipt]

they should totally make the centre of the city car free. why not?
no one parks in the main part of the city and there is no reason to.

just like europe what should happen is an XXXXX distance radius from the
city with no cars and at that point there are "public" bikes that you pay
a minimal subscription fee to have access to

just do it. we are humans and adapt amazingly to the struggles that we
are presented with.
how amazing would the city be if you could ride/walk anywhere. it would turn
the city into more of a street carnival atmosphere. you can't tell me that
isn't better a picture than roads with cars on them?

ps. more bicycles have been sold than cars each and every year now for
about 10 consecutive years. that speaks for itself really

[Jarod]

Originally Posted by ukalipt

they should totally make the centre of the city car free. why not?
no one parks in the main part of the city and there is no reason to.

just like europe what should happen is an XXXXX distance radius from the
city with no cars and at that point there are "public" bikes that you pay
a minimal subscription fee to have access to

just do it. we are humans and adapt amazingly to the struggles that we
are presented with.
how amazing would the city be if you could ride/walk anywhere. it would turn
the city into more of a street carnival atmosphere. you can't tell me that
isn't better a picture than roads with cars on them?

ps. more bicycles have been sold than cars each and every year now for
about 10 consecutive years. that speaks for itself really

I don't believe in God, but God bless you.

[Mobywan]

^^^ I like the picture you're painting but where does the infrastructure that keeps the city going end up? Trucks, Buses, etc? Not to mention the large vehicles that come in for construction and demolition.

[ruskie]

Originally Posted by Jarod

I agree if the changes were made tomorrow. But the way I see this plan is that it's trying to change the habits of commuters over a medium to long term. If it's successful, there would be no gridlock resulting from closing George St as there'd be less cars in the CBD.

21 years is more than enough time to get public transport from the edges of the CBD to the centre of the CBD right.

I'd like to think over time people would unlearn and relearn what they need to know, although i'm more leaning towards people being forever lazy and being too attached to their car. Being stereotypical here, we are Australians and Australians love their cars and doing things the easy way. With the ever increasing population within the CBD and Eastern suburbs, combined with continuing new vehicle sales (despite being outsold by bikes), I'd still think traffic would be woeful at best.

Would it also mean that buses and taxis would be refused entry into the CBD? I mean, of all the drivers to let into the city they would let in the most arrogant and disregarding type? Still sounds painful for cyclists.

The XXXX distance radius from the city theory would only work if they built new parking lots in what would most likely be heavily built residential areas. Many people can only ride so far, meaning alot of other people would still need/want to drive.


EDIT: It would also seem that a very large increase in regards to people riding bikes has happened due to economic conditions. Does that mean once the economy stabilises and fuel prices are dropped to a respectable level, people won't start driving again? I'm the RTA and insurance companies would also reduce fees to try and encourage people to drive. Bottom line is all that matters to many.