By Janet Oakley, Convenor, Bulletin 7/2025

This is the last Annual Report that I will submit as Convenor of the Transport and Traffic Subcommittee, so it is pleasing to report that some things have improved since the previous report, although most issues that were identified in the previous report are unfortunately unresolved.

E-bikes and e-scooters

The Glebe Society gave evidence to the Upper House Select Committee Inquiry into e-bikes, e-scooters and related mobility options in October 2024 (see our submission). The Society was one of the few community groups to give evidence as most of the submissions were from commercial interests. Pedestrian safety received little mention in the Select Committee’s Report. Somewhat alarmingly it recommended that the NSW State Government amend its draft e-scooter rules to allow riding on shared paths and footpaths at speeds of up to 20 km/hour. It is currently illegal to ride any type of bike on a footpath with exceptions for children and people with disabilities. 

Riding e-bikes on the footpath is currently illegal (photo: Janet Oakley)

Since that report there have been a number of incidents which prompted a good deal of public discussion about the difficulties of e-bikes and e-scooters operating in the same space as pedestrians. It can only be hoped that legislators pay heed to safety concerns as well as commercial concerns when formulating regulations.

Bridge Road

The problems with Bridge Road are unresolved and, if anything, have become worse since the last Annual Report. The road surface is very poor. Ongoing work to rectify trenches has contributed to its poor state. The re-trenching, installation of the cycleway and resurfacing has been delayed by bad weather. No resolution has been reached about the safety concerns raised about the proposed cycleway.

The volume of traffic along the road is very high, particularly in view of the number of houses, schools, childcare centres and businesses along it. A satisfactory balance between competing users of Bridge Road has proved elusive and this situation is likely to deteriorate once the new Fish Market opens. It seems there will be no access for tourist buses to turn right from Bridge Road to the Fish Market and there are apparently no facilities for coaches to wait while their passengers tour the Market.

Flooding in Bridge Road, August 2025 (photo: V Simpson-Young)

Paid parking

Sydney City Council has resolved to install parking meters in residential streets in the south west of Glebe. Currently those areas have restricted parking so the community need for paid parking is not apparent.

Buses

The Glebe Society has raised a number of issues concerning the reliability and frequency of bus services in Glebe and Forest Lodge with our local member Kobi Shetty. She has been very responsive and there has been a noticeable improvement over the past year in the reliability of bus services generally. There have been at least three changes of timetable in that period and this has meant that the 433 and 470 services are now more frequent. Although promises have been made about restoring the 370 to its previous route to Leichhardt MarketPlace, this is yet to occur and the 469 route is not an appropriate substitute.

Conclusion

The challenge of balancing the needs and interests of the diverse users of the streets of Glebe and Forest Lodge will continue. It is therefore important that decision makers hear the views of all those who are potentially affected by those decisions. Individuals can influence those decisions, and that potential is enhanced by the involvement of community groups such as the Glebe Society.