Pedal pushback: City council’s new project sparks massive human rights uproar!
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In cities worldwide, the creation and management of bike lanes often spark debate and controversy among various groups.
Recently, concerns over safety and accessibility have led to a human rights complaint regarding a prominent bike lane project in the heart of one of Sydney's most affluent neighbourhoods.
This development concerns not just the allocation of road space but also the safety and accessibility of some of the community's most vulnerable members.
A group of concerned residents, including former city councillor Kathryn Greiner, took a stand against the City of Sydney council's latest project—a separate cycleway along the iconic Oxford Street.
Their grievance was formally lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission, claiming that the design of the bike lane, particularly the island bus stops, is inherently ‘unsafe’ for older adults, people with disabilities, and those with mobility, sight, or hearing impairments.
The heart of the complaint was the perceived danger that the new cycleway poses as the island bus stops are situated away from the footpath, requiring passengers to cross the bike lane to access them.
On the Today show, Ms Greiner, along with Michael Waterhouse—who reportedly spearheaded the complaint—expressed their concerns.
‘The basic principle of a transport program should be safety for all,’ she argued.
‘But older people, disabled people, people with mobility, sight and even hearing issues are severely discriminated against in the traffic proposal.’
As someone with hearing loss who uses a hearing aid, Mr Waterhouse fears that cyclists may not stop in time for individuals like himself who need to cross the cycleway to reach the bus stop.
He cited troubling statistics from the United Kingdom, where similar bus stops have led to accidents and near-misses.
‘Blind people or deaf people…crossing the pedestrian crossing who don’t realise that cyclists could be coming at them from either direction at a given point in time,’ Mr Waterhouse explained.
‘You simply don’t hear cyclists coming. You don’t hear the bell, so it’s a major problem.’
He also mentioned that a recent survey conducted in the UK revealed that 60 per cent of cyclists in London do not yield to pedestrians at crossings near bus stops.
Construction began earlier this year on the Oxford St west cycleway, overseen by the City of Sydney council, covering the stretch from Castlereagh St to Taylor Square.
Meanwhile, the NSW State Government's Oxford St east project will extend from Taylor Square to Paddington Gates.
‘This dedicated cycleway will give thousands of people [the] confidence to safely get around on two wheels,’ Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore stated in March.
However, Ms Greiner highlighted that the area is ‘highly developed’ and that there is a need for greater scrutiny of the project.
‘Not only is it dangerous for older people…these kinds of bus lanes are really ferociously difficult for older people to abide by,’ she asserted.
In response to the outcry, a City of Sydney spokesperson defended the cycleway as a ‘critical’ investment in the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and pointed to extensive community consultation prior to construction.
‘The bus stop platforms along Oxford St have been designed to meet current safety and accessibility requirements. They include fencing between riders and those waiting for buses, which will increase safety,’ the spokesperson explained.
‘This platform fencing also guides people to use the marked cycleway crossings, making the movement of people walking and riding more predictable.’
‘Importantly, by moving bus stops to dedicated platforms, it reduces clutter and crowding on the footpaths,’ they added.
Amid ongoing debates over cycling infrastructure safety in Sydney, concerns about e-bike usage have surfaced as a contentious issue among different age groups.
The recent human rights complaint by Ms Greiner and Mr Waterhouse underscores the urgency for well-designed and secure cycling routes.
This heightened awareness around cycling safety parallels the clash between elderly Australians and youths over e-bike etiquette in a popular beach area, highlighting broader societal tensions regarding public space usage and mobility preferences.
Have you encountered similar issues with public infrastructure in your area? How do you feel about the balance between promoting active transport, like cycling, and ensuring safety and accessibility for all? Join the conversation in the comments below and let us know how you think these urban challenges should be tackled.
Recently, concerns over safety and accessibility have led to a human rights complaint regarding a prominent bike lane project in the heart of one of Sydney's most affluent neighbourhoods.
This development concerns not just the allocation of road space but also the safety and accessibility of some of the community's most vulnerable members.
A group of concerned residents, including former city councillor Kathryn Greiner, took a stand against the City of Sydney council's latest project—a separate cycleway along the iconic Oxford Street.
Their grievance was formally lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission, claiming that the design of the bike lane, particularly the island bus stops, is inherently ‘unsafe’ for older adults, people with disabilities, and those with mobility, sight, or hearing impairments.
The heart of the complaint was the perceived danger that the new cycleway poses as the island bus stops are situated away from the footpath, requiring passengers to cross the bike lane to access them.
A group of Sydney residents filed a human rights complaint about a bicycle lane on Oxford St, alleging it is unsafe for seniors and people with disabilities. Credit: Shutterstock
On the Today show, Ms Greiner, along with Michael Waterhouse—who reportedly spearheaded the complaint—expressed their concerns.
‘The basic principle of a transport program should be safety for all,’ she argued.
‘But older people, disabled people, people with mobility, sight and even hearing issues are severely discriminated against in the traffic proposal.’
As someone with hearing loss who uses a hearing aid, Mr Waterhouse fears that cyclists may not stop in time for individuals like himself who need to cross the cycleway to reach the bus stop.
He cited troubling statistics from the United Kingdom, where similar bus stops have led to accidents and near-misses.
‘Blind people or deaf people…crossing the pedestrian crossing who don’t realise that cyclists could be coming at them from either direction at a given point in time,’ Mr Waterhouse explained.
‘You simply don’t hear cyclists coming. You don’t hear the bell, so it’s a major problem.’
He also mentioned that a recent survey conducted in the UK revealed that 60 per cent of cyclists in London do not yield to pedestrians at crossings near bus stops.
Construction began earlier this year on the Oxford St west cycleway, overseen by the City of Sydney council, covering the stretch from Castlereagh St to Taylor Square.
Meanwhile, the NSW State Government's Oxford St east project will extend from Taylor Square to Paddington Gates.
‘This dedicated cycleway will give thousands of people [the] confidence to safely get around on two wheels,’ Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore stated in March.
However, Ms Greiner highlighted that the area is ‘highly developed’ and that there is a need for greater scrutiny of the project.
‘Not only is it dangerous for older people…these kinds of bus lanes are really ferociously difficult for older people to abide by,’ she asserted.
In response to the outcry, a City of Sydney spokesperson defended the cycleway as a ‘critical’ investment in the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and pointed to extensive community consultation prior to construction.
‘The bus stop platforms along Oxford St have been designed to meet current safety and accessibility requirements. They include fencing between riders and those waiting for buses, which will increase safety,’ the spokesperson explained.
‘This platform fencing also guides people to use the marked cycleway crossings, making the movement of people walking and riding more predictable.’
‘Importantly, by moving bus stops to dedicated platforms, it reduces clutter and crowding on the footpaths,’ they added.
Amid ongoing debates over cycling infrastructure safety in Sydney, concerns about e-bike usage have surfaced as a contentious issue among different age groups.
The recent human rights complaint by Ms Greiner and Mr Waterhouse underscores the urgency for well-designed and secure cycling routes.
This heightened awareness around cycling safety parallels the clash between elderly Australians and youths over e-bike etiquette in a popular beach area, highlighting broader societal tensions regarding public space usage and mobility preferences.
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