Adopted by Council in July
Creating a safe, convenient and connected bike network
As our community grows, we want to ensure there is diversity in how people move around the Northern Beaches.
The Northern Beaches Bike Plan guides future infrastructure and programs that will encourage more people to consider riding a bicycle for transport more often.
The Bike Plan also aims to create a safer environment for people cycling on both paths and roads.
Click the follow button above to receive email updates during the implementation the plan.
Consultation history
Building on the feedback received during engagement for the Transport Strategy and Walking Plan, two rounds of extensive community engagement were undertaken as part of the development of the Bike Plan.
Feedback received helped guide the overall directions of the Bike Plan and assisted in identifying missing links to the existing network.
Stage One: Through February and March 2019, we engaged our community through an online interactive map, feedback form and face to face drop in sessions.
We received 900 comments with feedback ranging from areas for new paths or improvements, danger areas for cyclists, suggested bike parking locations and general comments about the existing bike network.
View stage one engagement report
Stage Two: This stage of engagement centered around the public exhibition of the draft Bike Plan. The engagement was conducted over 11 weeks from 29 February to 17 May 2020.
We received 696 online submissions.
View stage two engagement report
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback along the way.
Draft Bike Plan - promotional video
Past updates
At a meeting on Tuesday 28 July, Council noted the outcomes of the public exhibition and submissions from the community and resolved to adopt the Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
It also resolved to consider bike dismount zones when designing new shared paths.
View Council Report (Item 13.3)
View the Stage 2 Community Engagement Report
View Council minutes
A paper is going to Council on Tuesday 28 July to report the outcomes of the public exhibition and to seek adoption of the Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
View Council Report (Item 13.3)
View the Stage 2 Community Engagement Report.
For requests to address Council: complete the form online or call 9942 2444 by Tuesday 28 July 2020, 12pm.
Special COVID-19 update: Public attendance is strictly limited and priority will be given to registered speakers. Public addresses may also be provided in writing to be read during the meeting by a member of staff. If you wish to watch the meeting in person, please email your interest to councilmeetings@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.
Alternatively, watch the meeting live on our website.
We held online question and answer sessions on 7 and 12 May for people to ask the Transport Team questions about the draft Bike Plan. Over 65 questions were received and answered, covering topics such as separated bike lanes, cycling routes, cyclists and pedestrian safety and infrastructure.
Click here to browse the questions and responses.
A report was presented to Council on 25 February 2020 seeking endorsement to publically exhibit the draft Bike Plan.
View Council Report (Item 13.8)
Stage 1 Engagement Report
View Draft Bike Plan Priority List
The Council report and draft Northern Beaches Bike Plan have been deferred for endorsement until later this year.
Thanks for your interest in this project.
We're finalising the draft Northern Beaches Bike Plan which is now anticipated to be presented to Council in August for public exhibition endorsement.
We have revised the project timeline with stage two engagement proposed for September 2019.
Thank you to those who provided comments to assist in the development of the Northern Beaches Bike Plan. Next steps The Draft Northern Beaches Bike Plan and accompanying report are scheduled to be presented to Council in April 2019.
Don't miss your opportunity to provide feedback on what's needed in the Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
How to get involved
- Online
drop your pins on the interactive mapping tool - comments now closed
Thank you to those who were able to come along to one of our drop-in's over the past week.
We chatted with close to 50 people at three drop-in locations and popped up at four popular cycling spots let you know about this project.
We've heard what's important to you as a recreational or commuting cyclist, and where safe off-road networks would benefit your journeys.
There is still time to map your feedback on this project.
Drop a pin and tell us what's important in the Draft Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
Comments close Sunday 3 March
Thank you to those who came along and chatted with the project team on Saturday afternoon at Manly.
There are still two more opportunities to speak with the team this week:
- Tue 19 Feb, 9.30-11.30am - Mona Vale Memorial Hall – Meeting Room
- Tue 19 Feb, 5-7pm - Dee Why, Civic Centre - Banksia
We're also capturing your feedback and comments on our mapping tool.
Comments close Sunday 3 March.
Transport Projects
Over the past year Northern Beaches Council has engaged on a two significant transport projects: Move Northern Beaches Transport Strategy and the Northern Beaches Walking Plan.
The feedback gathered during the engagement on these projects revealed a number of concerns in relation to cycling on the Northern Beaches.
Safe (Off Road) Network | Road Cycling Network | End of Trip | Other |
More safe, connected cycleways | Better passing opportunities on road cycling routes | Secure bike parking at transport hubs and major destinations | Distracted drivers create safety issue |
Shared paths can be unsafe for both pedestrians and people on bikes in popular areas | Road shoulders and wider lanes on road cycling routes | More bike parking in town and village centres | Aggressive drivers. Need to change mentality. |
Need separation from motor vehicles | Remove bicycle lanes from car door zones | Bike parking at bus stops | More consideration for cycling for Council projects |
Separated cycleways are preferred | Popular routes need to be safer | Convenient bike parking at destinations | Need “docked” bike share |
Roads can be unsafe for cycling | Bus lanes provide good road cycling space | E-bike charging stations at major destinations | Better respect between all road users required |
Need safer road crossings | Need fast commuter routes | Public bike pumps and maintenance stands | More cycling events |
Existing shared paths need maintenance | Traffic calming on popular routes | More bike parking required at Manly Wharf | More recreational cycling facilities |
Remove obstacles (eg. Poles) from existing shared paths | New developments to have better bicycle facilities | Kids bike tracks | |
Better integration with public transport | E-bikes becoming more popular | ||
Improve directional signage and wayfinding | Cargo bikes becoming more popular | ||
Better connectivity between major centres | Dockless share bikes creating nuisance | ||
Faster commuter routes | Bike riding not an option for everybody | ||
More recreational routes (eg. Narrabeen Lagoon Trail) | |||
More cycleways around schools and shops | |||
Vehicles blocking cycleways |
We'll be using this information to inform the development of our Northern Beaches Bike Plan, as well as information provided for this project.
Stakeholder meetings
In preparation for engagement on the Northern Beaches Bike Plan, we have communicated with a number of individuals and stakeholder to understand the needs and priorities of different users.
The feedback gathered from these meetings included:
Cleaning shoulders and paths | Provide incentive to cycle and disincentive for car use |
Safe crossings | Better consideration of cycling in Council projects |
Increase cycling to school | Dangerous clutter on shared paths |
Frenches Forest to Chatswood | Better promotion |
Secure bike parking at destinations | Maintenance of paths |
Key commuter routes | Lower vehicle speeds |
Practical and predictable routes | Better integration with public transport |
Separated infrastructure | Priority at intersections |
Encourage local trips | Consideration at work zones |
Encourage events | Better wayfinding and directions |
Connectivity | Better flow on paths |
The project manager invites interested community members and stakeholder groups to participate in the conversation, via phone or face to face meetings.
Contact Phillip Gray via email; council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au or phone; 1300 434 434 to discuss the future cycling network.
Previous Bike Plan engagement
In 2015 both former Pittwater and Warringah Council conducted engagement for their respective area's bike plans. Information collected during this period will be considered during the development of the Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
Drop a pin or drop-in
We're hearing great feedback through our mapping tool on what the future safe cycling network could look like, and we are keen to hear more.
Click on the map and drop a pin to comment on:
Drop-in
Chat with the project manager in person:
Comments close Sunday 3 March
How to get involved
We're seeking community and stakeholder feedback to help us develop the Northern Beaches Bike Plan.
There are a number of ways you can participate.
- online:
drop your pins on the interactive mapping tool(External link) or
comment online - in person:
chat with the project manager, via phone
request a meeting
come to drop-in
Sat 16 Feb, 12-2pm - Manly Library - Meeting Room Tue 19 Feb, 9.30-11.30am - Mona Vale Memorial Hall – Meeting Room Tue 19 Feb, 5-7pm - Dee Why, Civc Centre - Banksia Room - in writing to Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655. Marked "Northern Beaches Bike Plan"
We'll also be popping-up at commuter and recreational hubs exchanging "Fruit for your thoughts" on how to make our cycling network a safer one.
Enquiries: Active Travel Officer, Phillip Gray: 1300 434 434 or email: council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Comments close: Sunday 3 March 2019.
Cycling on the Northern Beaches is a popular activity. The National Cycling Participation Survey (November 2018) states that 40.3% of Northern Beaches residents rode a bicycle in the past year, compared to the 25.4% average across Sydney.
Most of these cycling trips were for recreation. The statistics above suggest that more of our community would ride a bicycle for transport if the conditions were suitable.
The recently adopted Move - Northern Beaches Council Transport Strategy (November 2018) identifies expanding our cycling network, improved connectivity and safety to make cycling an attractive alternative to motor vehicle use as key objectives.
To this end, we are now developing a Northern Beaches Bike Plan that will outline the key actions to achieve the objectives set out in our Transport Strategy.
