SYDNEY.-Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said construction on a 3.2 km separated cycle way connecting Woolloomooloo with Zetland is expected to commence later this year. City transport planners had drawn inspiration from leading bicycle cities such as New York, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Paris, and adapted them to Sydney.

"Many world-class cities are now separating cyclists from fast moving traffic by locating cycleways between parked cars and the footpath. This increases safety by removing the conflict between cyclists and cars. The City's research shows that Sydneysiders would cycle more if there were dedicated bicycle lanes and better driver awareness of bicycle safety. Four out of five potential cyclists said there was currently too much traffic in the CBD to contemplate cycling and 50 per cent said they were uncomfortable in shoulder lanes near parked cars, where doors are likely to be opened into the cycling path. This cycle way separates cyclists providing a safer path connecting the north and south which is likely to attract many new cyclists and provide an easier path for existing cyclists," Ms Moore said.

The plan is part of the City of Sydney's ambitious Cycling Strategy which aims to increase the cycling route network to almost 200 kilometres which includes 55 kilometres of separated cycle lanes and approximately 145 kilometres of cycle ways, dedicated cycle lanes and shared zones.

The Bourke Street cycle way will travel 4.3 km along the western side of Bourke Street from Cowper Wharf Road in Woolloomooloo to Elizabeth Street in Zetland with the last 1.1km of the cycle way comprising a shared foot and cycle way south of Phillip St, Redfern.

The bi-directional cycle way will complement the first CBD separated cycle way on King St due to commence construction in April 2008.

The cycle way will be a pilot for future development of the City's strategic cycle network.

Local residents will be consulted about the traffic changes as part of the design development works.

The City of Sydney Council will consider a report on Monday 18 February to appoint a tender to design the cycle way on Bourke Street which will provide an uninterrupted north-south cycling corridor.