Cycling in Sydney

cookiemonster
cookiemonster Posts: 668
edited November 2009 in The bottom bracket
Theres an outside chance that I'll end up working in Sydney. Never been there, but I dont know anyone thats moved there and doesnt like it.

Anyone know how the cycling world there compares to London? I'm guessing its kind of similar in terms of traffic, aggressive motorists and general biking unfriendliness, just with the major upsides of decent weather and it being smaller, so easier to get out from the city itself.

I'd probably be in Manly if that makes a difference....

jon

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    The majority of drivers may be Australian. :wink:
  • shaunh
    shaunh Posts: 4
    Sydney is the least bike-friendly city in the country. London is a piece of p1ss in comparison. There is little to no infrastructure in a city that is about 5 times the area of London. There are a lot more sunny days, but when it does rain, you'll know about it. And to make matters worse, Manly is on a peninsula on the other side of the harbour from the city. But if you can conquer Sydney on a bike, you can do it anywhere.
  • daver1
    daver1 Posts: 78
    shaunh is right that that Sydney attitudes to cycling makes London look like a cyclists' paradise when it comes to commuting or getting around by bike. Problems include bad road surfaces, narrow roads, hilly terrain and far more aggressive drivers than London.

    On the plus side although Sydney is far larger than London it's not really all city and there are national parks with some good cycling within the city itself. I live in Manly and can get to the closest mountain biking in 10 minutes (on my bike, not in the car) and there are several great road routes within minutes.

    There are are fewer people who commute by bike but huge numbers of recreational cyclists who are out and about as soon as it's light (or earlier) to avoid the motorists and enjoy the roads when they are quiet. The fact that you can cycle year round in shorts and a t-short is an added bonus. And although they do get proper rain here it's never really cold.
  • cookiemonster
    cookiemonster Posts: 668
    Hi

    Not too fussed about the commuting/getting around aspects, more the training, sportives, racing side of things. If there are some decent routes within 10-15 minutes of crap cycling then thats waaaayyyyy better than London :)



    jon
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I used to travel regularly to Sydney on business and it was one of the few places that didn't make me want to take a bike - it's bad enough driving there and the attitude of some drivers once outside the city is pretty despairable - probably even worse than the worst places in the US.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • deptfordmarmoset
    deptfordmarmoset Posts: 3,118
    I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed to see so many negative comments about cycling in Sydney - I'd have thought that Aussies would be more respectful of sporting activities, given their immense contribution to - and evident pride - in competitive achievements.
    Looking for a cycling buddy?
  • muchalls
    muchalls Posts: 87
    Just back from a week in Noosa, Queensland. Excellent bike friendly place with well marked bike lanes, smooth & regularly swept roads & a major road closure arranged for the Noosa triathlon.
    Only downside was that by 8am it was getting to hot to ride 8)
  • Neilums
    Neilums Posts: 93
    deptfordmarmoset wrote:
    I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed to see so many negative comments about cycling in Sydney - I'd have thought that Aussies would be more respectful of sporting activities, given their immense contribution to - and evident pride - in competitive achievements.

    Cycling as a means to commute is different though as Sydney is just too busy and not geared to go about your business on a bicycle. I lived in Melbourne for a couple of years and in contrast the CBD and inner suburbs there were significantly safer in terms of infrastructure, culture and general awareness of cyclists by motorists.
  • disquieting_museeuws
    disquieting_museeuws Posts: 601
    This incident happened a couple of years ago when a Sydney driver intentionally hit a bunch including Australian Olympic riders - it doesn't paint the best picture, but I don't know Sydney at all.

    http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php ... ey_crash08
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    One thing to remember, is that helmet wearing is compulsory in Australia & NZ with something like a AU$10 fine.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • daver1
    daver1 Posts: 78
    There are plenty of opportunities for racing and there are training groups out early every morning. Most rides start early to avoid the traffic and the heat in summer.

    Manly is a good place to be based as the northern beaches and upper north shore are some of the best cycling opportunities that are close to the city. Although Sydney is a large city so it takes a while to get out of there are good places to visit on the doorstep with the Blue Mountains being one obvious place to visit and the Southern Highlands another. These are both within about 2 hours of Manly.

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