Sydney bike paths - many of them undiscovered gems to many Sydneysiders - have suddenly become an election issue in some of the city's more marginal electorates. The truth about them is being twisted and turned by the major parties, meandering in much the way of some of the urban cycle routes. This hot button topic pits our cycling mayor Clover Moore against broadcaster Alan Jones, and Liberals against Labor. The Berejiklian government has pledged it would more than double its funding of "active transport" to $330 million over five years.

While Labor has pledged $412 million over the next four years. But a lot of it is spin - much like a bike wheel itself. Getting the facts straight is about as tricky as it is for two-wheeled travellers negotiating the busy Bourke Street bike path (one of the best used urban tracks).

Some of Sydney’s lesser known cycleways are under threat. The Alexandra Canal cycleway will disappear for the State Government (RMS) Sydney Gateway motorway project, which will link the Airport terminals to the Sydney Ports, one of four extra motorways which are part of the WestConnex project.

A rider on the Alexandra Canal Cycleway, which is set to be closed. Credit:Lester Ranby

Due to Sydney Airport airspace height restrictions, the project plans to remove the existing shared cycling and walking connection along the Alexandra Canal adjacent to Airport Drive.