Work is starting on new bike links supporting the growing number of people riding bikes through Newtown.
With around 9,000 bike trips each week, Wilson Street is an important link for people riding between Newtown, the city centre and east towards Centennial Park and Bondi.
Those journeys will soon be safer with 2 new separated cycleways along Burren and Wilson streets, a bike lane on Pine Street and upgraded shared areas on Leamington Lane.
The area will also have slower traffic, better street lighting and more trees and shrubs.
Experienced rider Lydia Ho from nearby Waterloo thinks the most important change is removing 3 roundabouts on Wilson Street.
They’ll be replaced with safer t-intersections and 2 new pedestrian crossings to prioritise people walking and riding.
Lydia was hospitalised last June after being struck by a car while riding through one of the roundabouts.
“It’s good to see cars will be made to slow and stop at the intersection of Brocks Lane and Wilson Street,” Lydia said.
“This could have prevented my incident as drivers often don’t look out for bikes at that roundabout.”
Erskineville dad Christopher Standen is also looking forward to the new cycleways.
He rides most days to Sydney University with his 21-month old daughter Hannah in a child seat or covered child trailer in wet weather.
“Taking the bus is a last resort as it’s often full and unable to fit a pram in peak times,” Christopher said.
“The new bike links will make us feel much safer. It will even give my partner the confidence to ride instead of taking the bus.”
