Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore told the Herald bike paths had been ripped up, re-routed, and delayed for decades, stalling the growth of safe cycling in the city. She said a "succession of roads ministers, shock-jocks, rabid columnists and motorists" were "hostile and vehemently opposed" to the cycleways since the campaign for connected bike paths across the city began in 2004. "They seemed to have forgotten that roads are public spaces, not the exclusive right of cars," Cr Moore said. "Cycling infrastructure was not only neglected, it was actively blocked." David Burton and his three children – Finn, 18, Mia, 8 and Max who just turned 5 – will be joining more than 10,000 cyclists in the annual Spring Cycle event on Sunday. But none of them ride to school or work despite cycling almost every weekend for fun. "When l was in Balmain and used to commute to work in the city, that was awesome," Mr Burton, who now lives in Bilgola, said. "The northern beaches is a real challenge (because) riding on the road, you take your life in your own hands.

"I know enough guys who do a lot of road cycling and they've all had pretty horrific injuries, for the most part after being hit by cars. "What we need more is the paths linked up. In New Zealand, the government is making a bike path from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island." David Burton with Finn 18, Mia 8, Max 5, in Drummoyne getting ready for Spring Cycle 2019. Credit:Wolter Peeters The NSW government is "working to deliver" a cycling network within 10 kilometres of the CBD and Parramatta CBD by 2026, based on its 2056 plan. Connected cycling networks within five kilometres of strategic centres, such as Chatswood, Brookvale and Epping are "prioritised" for 2036. "Lack of access to safe cycling paths is a barrier for the 70 per cent of customers who tell us they would like to cycle more for short trips and would do so if they felt safer and more confident," the 2056 plan says.

In the 1970s, more than three in four young people walked, cycled or took public transport to school or university in Australia. Now, one in four kids walk or ride to school. Dr Jan Garrard, a senior lecturer at the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University, said road safety was a major reason children no longer rode to school. "Mothers are most often the school trip decision-makers and far fewer women cycle than men, so they're unlikely to ride with kids, or teach them how to ride safely," Dr Garrard said. More children are being driven to school than ever before because parents don't feel that it's safe for them to walk or ride, Bicycle NSW spokeswoman Bastien Wallace said. "When we looked at the people who are dying most on the roads – Middle-Aged Men In Lycra (MAMILs) – it didn't surprise us because they're the only ones left riding on the road," Ms Wallace said.

Loading "We get dozens of people contacting us every day saying cars are side-swiping them deliberately, running them off the road, abusing them." We need safer streets with better-connected bike lanes so that riding is an easy, fast and healthy alternative to driving or public transport, Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said. "Schools engaged in Bicycle Network’s Ride2School program have on average one in two students riding or walking to school, above the national average of around one in five," Mr Richards said. "There’s been some rumblings and small programs in NSW but sadly, the rubber is yet to hit the road."

Sydney started building its cycleways around the same time as London and New York, Cr Moore said. "While they completed comprehensive networks many years ago, we’re still talking about the need to build critical connections in ours," Cr Moore said. "We’re aiming to complete Sydney’s regional bike network and most of the local bike network by 2030, but that will require ongoing support from the community, and more financial support and quicker approvals from the NSW government," Cr Moore said. "By building bike lanes we’re giving less confident cyclists a safe place to ride." There are now 14 kilometres of separated cycleways in the city of Sydney and 60km of shared paths, upgraded to encourage people to ride, she said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

Jen-Kui Maxwell lives in Alexandria and began riding to work five years ago, following a realisation she didn't need to "leap into lycra" or be on the road for long stretches. "I had the idea previously that cycling had to be a form of activity rather than a form of commuting," Ms Maxwell said. "I’m not a confident rider so being exposed to traffic is scary at times. Where I live I can mostly take separated cycle paths or share paths to work. (But) it would be great to have more separated cycle paths and more connected routes." Being exposed to traffic, competing for space with cars or dodging distracted pedestrians on shared paths are the worst elements of the commute, she said. Sydney Bicycle network plan for 2056. Credit:Transport for NSW

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said more than $270 million will be invested over the next four years with $57 million allocated in the 2019-20 NSW budget. About $285 million is also being invested in cycling and walking infrastructure as part of major projects, the spokeswoman said. Centre for Road Safety director Benard Carlon said more people than ever before are walking or cycling to work or for leisure and fitness. "We recognise that not only does it help relieve pressure on our roads and public transport system, but walking and cycling are healthy, active ways to travel," Mr Carlon said.