A new cycle ramp on the Sydney Harbour Bridge has replaced a 55-step staircase, establishing a continuous cycling route from North Sydney to the Central Business District (CBD). This upgrade, opened to the public on Tuesday, facilitates access for heavier e-bikes, bicycles with trailers, and older riders.
The project addresses a long-standing issue for cyclists who previously had to navigate stairs at the northern end of the bridge's dedicated bike path.
Project Details and Usage
The ramp, which cost $39 million, rises from Bradfield Park in Milsons Point and connects to the bridge's west-side cycle path. Approximately 1,500 trips are recorded on the cycleway daily, based on 2025 data. Transport minister John Graham stated the ramp is expected to increase usage.
User Experience
Users, including families and daily commuters, have begun utilizing the new ramp. One user, Tony Stanley, reported that the ramp allows his family, including his wife and five-year-old daughter with an e-bike and trailer, to cross the bridge together, an activity previously hindered by the stairs.
Commuters on the route view landmarks such as the Parramatta River, Luna Park, the Rocks district, and the Sydney Opera House.
Historical Context and Advocacy
Plans for a ramp have been under consideration since 1999, experiencing repeated delays due to local opposition in Milsons Point concerning green space usage. Russ Webber, who campaigned for the ramp since 2000, was among those who crossed the bridge on Tuesday using a trishaw, facilitated by the Cycling Without Age charity.
The opening attracted numerous users, including food couriers, commuters, families with children in trailers, and individuals with pets in conjoined carriages.
Network Connectivity
This development integrates into Sydney's expanding cycleway network. Following the completion of the GreenWay path in December, cyclists now have a nearly continuous route from North Sydney, through the CBD, across the Anzac Bridge, and to the Cooks River, with links to Brighton-le-Sands and Olympic Park. An ongoing path along Oxford Street, with its initial stage opened in July, is planned to extend to Bondi Junction.
Jullietta Jung, president of the Better Streets advocacy group, indicated that the ramp's opening could generate further support for additional cycleway projects, aiming to create accessible routes for diverse age groups and abilities within the city.