Have just moved to Sydney and am interested in getting around on two wheels. I was a regular cycler in London so can handle traffic - but have been told Sydney is a whole different experience. Does anyone have any advice/experience on cycling around town?

Thanks for the help!

Matt

I used to cycle in London and I get about on two wheels quite frequently in Sydney. What strikes me, is how poor the cycling infrastructure is in the CBD and its immediate surroundings and how car dominated the place is. In the dedicated cycling lanes, you seem to wait forever for the traffic lights to change despite it being safe to proceed. It's no wonder that they're empty half the time as it's slower to use the lanes outside of peak than it is to cycle on the road with the cars. The other thing is that there seems to be less awareness and respect of cyclists so some drivers are very happy to mow you down to shave millseconds from their journey. I've also noticed people seem to like to shout at cyclists as they pass them by in their cars in order to shock the cyclist into crashing in traffic just so that they can get a laugh. I do see some truly awful cyclists, too, though.

Still, I much prefer cycling to work. There is a lot of congestion in the CBD so I'd rather cycle than sit on a bus or a car for ages getting frustrated. Plus, as with anywhere, once you get to know the place you find the best routes to get around. And away from the CBD there are plenty of dedicated and shared cycleways around that make getting round quite pleasurable.

London is a lot better for cycling though, particularly around the centre. They are investing here but they still have some way to go.

I'm not sure how I'd feel cycling in the summer, though, with all the humidity.

LP

I don't cycle but have a ton of friends who are environmentalists and do, so I've just had a nosey around to see what I can find out.

If you look up a Facebook group called "I ♥ Sydney Bike Lanes & Cycle Ways" you'll see a ton of references to other groups and websites.

Also this http://www.sydneycyclist.com/forum

Thanks guys - good advice and that website looks very helpful. Got the bike today so will see how it goes. Thanks!
M

There's a strange pecking order in Sydney with cyclists hating motorists and pedestrians hating cyclists.

Walking around Surry Hills I've had to learn a new Highway Code -

Always give way to cyclists.
Always look both ways before crossing the pavement.
Always look both ways before crossing a one way street.
Don't assume that just because the pedestrian lights are green and the cars have stopped that it's safe to venture onto a crossing.

If you give way to a cyclist don't expect a friendly wave -- just like Sydney motorists you are more likely to get a scowl.

Cycling at night lights and bright clothing are entirely optional.

All very true.

I get indignant when a cyclist on the pavement behind me rings their bell, I think it's very rude. Apparently that's what they're supposed to do, however, and it's meant to be more of a polite warning than a "get out of my way".

It IS irritating! i hope you apologise for blocking their way? I'd forgotten about that but at least it is safer than the so called 'shared routes'. That one from the bottom of Lilyfield Road out towards Five Dock for instance. They zoom past about an inch from your arm then the rush of air blows you off your feet. I feel safer walking on the road.

I also forgot to mention that Surry Hills, being trendy inner city, it's IMPERATIVE to ride with attitude, with cool!

Yell into your mobile phone, preferably no hands so you can wave the other about.
Have a dog on a lead, preferably two, or better still, NO lead.
Dangle your helmet off your handlebars.

So as a cyclist what is the consensus then...you want the bell or not?

On a shared route - yes, on the pavement, I don'twant to share it with them. If they are going to cycle on the pavement, get off whenever pedestrians are around and give way to pedestrians at all times.

Oh ok, don't come to qld then. Cyclists are sensibly allowed on the footpath by law. I find if I ring my bell most accept that you are warning them you are about to pass as requested by the law but some do glare at you or jump off the path in an exaggerated fashion with a stare.

If you don't ring your bell some people yell at you or cower in fright...I think there are people who can see other people's point of view whether they are cyclists or pedestrians and those that look at everything from one side. Good and bad in both groups.

'Jump off the footpath in an exaggerated manner'? That's a good one! Trouble is, I'd jump right into a truck!

They tend to be sensible and jump off the path the other way onto the grass or if it is a totally concrete without a central concrete path then coming to a dead stop with an exaggerated step to the extreme side usually does it. They are only willing to go so far to make their (misguided) point

I cycle to work but I find drivers in Sydney more aggressive than in London and often actively hostile towards cyclists. This anti-cyclist attitude is partly whipped up by the shock jocks such as Alan Jones and troll-umnists like Miranda Devine, for some reason. Unlike European cities such as Berlin and Dublin, which encourage cycling, Sydney seems to view cyclists as interlopers to be suppressed. The exception to this is local mayor/MP Clover Moore, who has tried to build cycleways and is subject to the usual Murdoch/News Limited smear and hate campaigns.
I try stay away from the main traffic routes wherever possible - it's worth checking out the cycle routes for your area which often mark out quieter back streets.

Alan Jones hates Clover Moore - Period!

When I am driving around the inner city I always give way to cyclists. The thing that irritates me about SOME of them is that they REFUSE to put lights on their bikes and they REFUSE to wear light clothing - why not wear tradies' shirts for example. If you are riding without lights at night then you are asking to be knocked over.

Agreed, pretty stupid to have no lights. Doubt they are regular commuters.