Willoughby’s Draft Cycling Strategy and Action Plan is on exhibition until Sunday 27 October here
This was drafted pre-council election where strong action on active transport received a huge boost. Check the candidate responses Willoughby | Bike North for their statements of commitment. Successful candidates are listed at City of Willoughby - Elections (nsw.gov.au)
The Introduction to this Strategy details the challenges to achieving their vision. Challenges such as limited funding, competition with other road users, the need to balance with on-street parking and the need for retrofitting.
What is not so ‘lighting clear’ from this Introduction is the absolute necessity to deliver a Safe, Connected, Integrated Cycling Strategy which is well communicated to the Community. Willoughby has changed enormously this century and simply cannot cope with its high dependence on car use. Council’s own Integrated Transport Strategy states that ‘Trends show that medium and high density housing in 1999 made up 30% of all housing, compared to 55% in 2019. This is projected to reach over 70% by 2036.” Willoughby residents are also now supported by the best public transport in Sydney, with both the North Shore Railway Line and the Metro line. And soon it will need to cope with potential increased traffic from the Western Harbour Tunnel. Safe and Connected bicycle facilities are essential to connect residents all over the city to their local destinations. The Councillors get it. The Community needs to understand this too.
Council plans to measure progress with targets based on the Sustainability Action Plan for 2028 with a target of 3 percent increase in bicycle riders from 2017. Is that ambitious enough? Willoughby has done better than that in the past, increasing census journey to work modal share between 2006 and 2011 by over 60%. No doubt that was assisted by good bike infrastructure in the south of Willoughby.
Willoughby has made a great start with a bicycle network and with this draft strategy, but a stronger vision is needed. Council must be ambitious, set strong targets and resource the strategy adequately. Budgets are limited but Council needs to be resourced well to complete the projects that have already been funded and advocate successfully for more funding through grants, developments and other sources.
There is an on-line survey where you can indicate your level of support for the Strategy and provide further comments. There are also two public engagement sessions at Council offices on Monday 21 October, 2-4pm AND 5-7pm.
Your thoughts about the draft strategy are also welcome as we complete the Bike North submission.