Legality of riding at Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour?

[peteb478]

I'm confused!
The NSW Bicycle Information website has a map showing the approved routes (http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/downl ... _guide.pdf). If riding from Tumbalong Park towards Sydney Harbour Bridge, the approved route is shown as keeping to the west of the water, riding past Harbourside then up onto Pyrmont Bridge and across.

Google's new cycling directions on Google Maps suggest riding along the eastern side, along Cockle Bay Wharf and climbing the stairs up to the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge (See https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Thom ... 6&lci=bike).

Obviously Google's directions aren't exactly sensible and I've tried to suggest to them that what they're suggesting is wrong but they reckon they're right.

Notwithstanding how sensible the route is, what's the legal position of cycling in that area? I was assuming that riding anywhere in Darling Harbour except on the approved route is like riding on the footpath and therefore forbidden. Does anyone have evidence to back one position or another?

Cheers
Pete

[herzog]

It's all good. They even do bicycle tours through there for tourists.

[peteb478]

It's all good. They even do bicycle tours through there for tourists.

Thanks for the quick reply but does the fact that an organised tour does it make it legal or do wardens simply turn a blind eye to those groups? I was hoping there would be evidence available one way or another defining the status of cycling in the Darling Harbour area...

Cheers
Pete

[trailgumby]

Just take care on the pavers out front of IMAX. The area between the overpass stanchion and the entrance to the Subway is like ice in the wet, much worse than wet timber.

I was riding though there at no more than jogging pace, went to change direction slightly to avoid the dripping from the overpass, and the front washed out in slow motion. I was on slicks, but it would'nae mattered if I was on 2.2" mtb knobblies.

No skin off, but I cracked my thumb.

Yes, I've seen the bike tours there too. However, I only ride through there in the early morning. Too many peds there after 5.

[zero]

SHFA does not specifically disallow cycling in the area, but I can't see in their regulations where they authorise it either.
According to the RMS definition of a footpath, that area would legally be a footpath.

[peteb478]

SHFA does not specifically disallow cycling in the area, but I can't see in their regulations where they authorise it either.
According to the RMS definition of a footpath, that area would legally be a footpath.

My thoughts too, which means the Google Maps directions are wrong and the rangers are turning a blind eye to the tours. All we have to go on regarding riding through that area is the cycleways map, which clearly says keep to the west. Wish there was a definitive answer though...

Cheers
Pete

[g-boaf]

SHFA does not specifically disallow cycling in the area, but I can't see in their regulations where they authorise it either.
According to the RMS definition of a footpath, that area would legally be a footpath.

My thoughts too, which means the Google Maps directions are wrong and the rangers are turning a blind eye to the tours. All we have to go on regarding riding through that area is the cycleways map, which clearly says keep to the west. Wish there was a definitive answer though...

Cheers
Pete

What does the law say with regards to that? Isn't riding on the footpath illegal - pedestrians will hate you and perhaps the Police will go after you. But you can ride on the road with the angry smoke-boxes.

Don't you just love Sydney? Bureaucracy gone mad.

[herzog]

It's clearly marked as cycling allowed on the CoS official cycling map.

It's green dashed - meaning off road cycle route

[find_bruce]

It's clearly marked as cycling allowed on the CoS official cycling map.

It's green dashed - meaning off road cycle route

Herzog, do you have a link to the map you are talking about, because the one I have seen shows an off road path on the western side as noted by peteb478, whereas google appears to be saying there is a cycle path on the eastern side, along Cockle Bay Wharf, to the stairs at the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge

[herzog]

Ok so I went down there for a walk at lunchtime.

The CoS map shows a route along the western part of the bay, and it's all a contiguous space to the south and east, with no signage at all saying "end of cycle zone" or anything to that effect.

I also noticed a sign listing things that aren't allowed:



Notice anything conspicuously absent from the list?

And while I was there I saw several cyclists riding both sides of the bay.