Oxford Street is now safer and easier to get around on foot or bike thanks to City of Sydney upgrades including a dedicated separated cycleway.
Connecting Castlereagh Street and Taylor Square, this crucial link in the bike network supports people riding the popular route, providing access to dedicated cycleways along Castlereagh, Liverpool, College and Bourke streets.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO today welcomed some of the first riders on the now open stretch of cycleway.
"By building connected bike links, we're offering people a viable transport option that is safe, cheap and encourages active lifestyles," the Lord Mayor said.
"No longer will people riding need to weave in and out of traffic competing with trucks, cars and buses along Oxford Street. People walking will also benefit as the project has improved crossings at side streets, created a buffer from vehicles, calmed traffic and will reduce the instances of people riding bikes on the footpath.
"The stars are aligning along the iconic strip. We've done work to renew the street, given grants for cultural projects such as Qtopia and encouraged considered development that protects Oxford Street's unique heritage.
"We expect businesses will start seeing the benefits too because more people walking and riding along a calmer street will encourage visits and money spent with those hard-working owners along Oxford Street."
As well as 1km of new separated cycleway, the City of Sydney has also improved crossings at 4 side streets, installed new garden beds, street furniture and paving, and upgraded signals at 9 intersections. "I want to thank everyone for their patience with the disruption to local shops and traffic flows during the construction period," NSW Transport Minister John Graham said. "This cycleway is a great step forward in the revitalisation of this iconic street. It's a big win for cyclists, cars, and pedestrians because it improves safety on the road and the footpath. "At the same time as we deliver vital cycling infrastructure, the NSW Government is also working on e-bikes and e-scooters reforms to address footpath clutter, poor parking, and safety risks." The current number of parking and loading spaces along this section of Oxford Street reflects pre-construction conditions, with 5 lanes still available for car and bus traffic or parking.
The completion of this cycleway comes as counts across the local area show a 20% increase in bike trips from March 2024 to March 2025.
Rides on the older, southern section of the Castlereagh Street cycleway increased by 44% from April 2024 to April 2025, following the completion of the northern part.
This growth can be attributed to more people riding on a safer bike network, the increased popularity of share bikes and demand for food delivered by riders. The City of Sydney's Oxford Street west project was jointly funded by the City of Sydney and the NSW Government through its Get NSW Active program.
