/draft-contraflow-streets-syd

Draft Contraflow Streets, Sydney

This document is a draft that may become a blog post at https://jakecoppinger.com in future.

Current streets allowing bicycle contraflow

(work in progress, incomplete list) This is a map of the streets in the City of Sydney council area. The image is likely already out of date - click the link below to see the latest.

View live map with zoom: https://overpass-turbo.eu/s/1wjm

[out:json][timeout:25];
(
  // Relation 1251066 is COS boundary:
  // https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/1251066
  rel(1251066);map_to_area->.region;
  way["highway"]
  ["oneway:bicycle"="no"]
  (area.region);
);
out body;
>;
out skel qt;

Street candidates that could make good contraflow streets

Work in progress. The following query finds roads in the City of Sydney that are:

  • One way
  • Do not currently allow bicycles to travel in the opposite direction
  • Do not currently have a parallel separated cyelway

And excludes:

  • Roads with more than 1 lane
  • Dual carriageway one way roads
  • Private roads
  • Parking aisles, private or customer only roads
  • Slip roads or highway links

View live map with zoom: https://overpass-turbo.eu/s/1wlc

[out:json][timeout:25];
(
  // Relation 1251066 is COS boundary:
  // https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/1251066
  rel(1251066);map_to_area->.region;
  
  // Select roads
  way["highway"]
  
  // Excluded under construction ways
  ["highway"!="construction"]
  // Excluded proposed ways
  ["highway"!="proposed"]
  
  // Only roads which are marked one way,
  // and don't allow bicycle contraflow
  ["oneway"="yes"]
  ["oneway:bicycle"!="no"]
  
  // Don't include roads that are bidirectional,
  // but are separated (and appear to be one way)
  ["dual_carriageway"!="yes"]
  
  // Don't include if a cycleway already present
  ["highway"!="cycleway"]
  
  // If a road is customers only it's likely
  // in a parking lot
  ["access"!="customers"]
  
  // Don't include roads where public access not allowed
  ["access"!="no"]
  
  // Don't include link roads (on ramps/slip roads)
  ["highway"!="motorway_link"]
  ["highway"!="primary_link"]
  ["highway"!="secondary_link"]
  ["highway"!="tertiary_link"]
  
  // Don't include major roads
  ["highway"!="primary"]
  ["highway"!="secondary"]
  
  
  ["lanes"!=2]
  ["lanes"!=3]
  ["lanes"!=4]
  ["lanes"!=5]
  ["lanes"!=6]
  ["access"!="private"]
  
  // Don't consider parking isles
  ["service"!="parking_aisle"]
  
  
  
  (area.region);
);
out body;
>;
out skel qt;

List of streets from above that might be suitable for bicycle contraflow

Terry Street, Surry Hills, 4.61m road width

  • Laneway behind Metro Woolworths near central
  • Would provide access from south Surry Hills to the Belmore Park cycleway (and further north into the city)
  • Already marked as cycleroute on the official City of Sydney cycling map

Sophia Street, Surry Hills, 4.9 metres width

  • Long laneway with excellent visibility
  • Gradient towards eastern end
  • No parking, a number of infrequently used driveways
  • Great link from Fitzroy St via Riley St to lower Surry Hills

Lansdown Street, Surry Hills, ? width

  • Car parking both sides
  • Connects to Crown St
  • Excellent visibility (completely straight)

Boronia Lane, Surry Hills, ? width

  • Already has contraflow marking, for pedestrians?
  • Already close to Boronia Street though (allowing contraflow in last batch)
  • Excellent visibility (completely straight)

Davis Street, Surry Hills, ? width

  • Connects to Bourke St cycleway
  • Excellent visibility (completely straight)
  • Car parking one side
  • Has continuous footpath east side, west side is Crown St (future continuous footpath?)

Rainford Street, Surry Hills, ? width

  • Similar to Davis Street
  • Excellent visibility (completely straight)
  • Car parking one side
  • Connects to Bourke St cycleway
  • Has continuous footpath east side, west side is Crown St (future continuous footpath?)

Emanuel Lane Sth of Cressy St, Roseberry, ? width

  • Excellent visibility (completely straight)
  • Alredy contraflow permitted Emanuel St north
  • No car parking
  • Similar design to Castlereagh Lane

Blackwattle Lane, Ultimo, ? metres

  • Already allows contraflow to north and south-east end

Wynyard Lane, Sydney, ? metres

  • The laneway just next to Wynyard Station
  • Would provide a north -> south route for bikes avoiding York St, Carrington St buses and George St pedestrians

(work in progress, incomplete list)

List of streets with potential issues

High Holborn Street, Surry Hills

  • Bend in road affecting visibility

Bray Street, Newtown, ? metres (varies)

  • Changes widths a number of times
  • Existing traffic table + choker and traffic calming measures too narrow for bike + car (unsure if this is an issue)
  • Parking both sides - 45 degree and parallel

Wellington Street, Chippendale, ? metres

  • Very narrow due to parking on one side

(work in progress, incomplete list)

Lanes already near an existing contraflow or non-way-way lane

Newman St, Newtown, ? metres

  • Next lane north (Railway Lane) already one way (opposite) and suitable for bikes
  • Car parking both sides so narrow in between
  • Otherwise good charactistics:
    • Has modal filter at west end
    • Bicycle contraflow permitted & has paint at junction of Angel St

Linthorpe St, Newtown, ? metres

  • Nearby Wilson St contraflow lane

Shephard Lane, Newtown, ? metres

  • Near Ivy Street with contraflow

(work in progress, incomplete list)

Additional maps

Query:

[out:json][timeout:25];
(
  way["highway"]
 
  ["oneway:bicycle"="no"]
  
  ({{bbox}});
);
out body;
>;
out skel qt;