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Sydney cyclists, assemble. After years of advocacy and an impressive 15-month build, the long-awaited Harbour Bridge cycleway ramp is now officially open – set to make cruising across the harbour on two wheels a genuine joy from start to finish.
For the past five decades, anyone wanting to ride their bike across the bridge has had to tackle 55 steep stairs at the northern end – a notorious test of endurance that’s seen city cyclists, e-bike riders and weekend cruisers huffing, puffing and hauling their bikes skyward just to reach the path linking Milsons Point and Millers Point. Happily, that arduous climb is about to become history. The new 170-metre ramp will make pedalling across the harbour smoother, safer and far more inclusive – particularly for older riders and those with heavier e-bikes.
The project, which Transport Minister John Graham describes as “long overdue”, also comes with a historically-significant creative edge. More than 70,000 of the 130,000 stone pavers have already been laid to form a sprawling artwork of intertwining eels by Aboriginal artists Jason Wing and Maddie Gibbs. The design pays tribute to the Gadigal and Cammeraygal peoples’ deep connection to the Harbour, with the eels swimming north and south in a nod to the ramp’s dual direction.
In a poetic ode to the Harbour Bridge’s construction nearly a century ago, the granite used to pave the ramp has been sourced from the same Moruya quarry that supplied the pylons, while the 1,500 bronze balustrades – made in Western Sydney from the same alloy used on the Opera House – will be finished in the Bridge’s heritage grey.
Minister Graham says the ramp will not only improve accessibility but also help ease traffic, encouraging more people to commute by bike between the CBD and North Sydney. “Cadel Evans once described the 55 steps as ‘not very well thought out’, which is quite an understatement from Australia’s only Tour de France winner,” he quipped.
Beyond the practical perks, the ramp’s thoughtful design and cultural elements are expected to make it a new attraction in itself. “We’re confident the cycleway will become a tourism destination in its own right,” said Anna Bradley, Executive Director at Transport for NSW. “It’s taken years of meticulous planning to honour the cultural and historical significance of the site, and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”
According to Lauren Streifer, CEO of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand, the project is “centre stage” of “Sydney’s summer of cycling”.
Streifer cited the success of Oxford Street’s new cycleway (already carrying 3,000+ daily trips) and the Greenway in the Inner West as examples of Sydney’s progress towards becoming a greener, healthier, better connected city.
“Expanding the bike network is quick and affordable, and delivers immediate benefits including better public health, and reduced congestion for everyone – including people who have to drive. Decision-makers should feel confident to go further, and invest more in active travel to help keep Sydneysiders moving," said Streifer.
You can learn more and plan your two-wheeled commute across the harbour over here.
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