My 6km commute through CBD Sydney

I try and ride my bike into work at least once a week. With the introduction of a few new cycleways this makes it much easier, but we still have a long way to ensure rider safety. In this video I show a bit of the workout I do before I get into the office, as well as my nighttime commute home.
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[@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy]

So I commuted to work from Cremorne to Centre Point and then Goulburn Street from 2000 to 2014 pretty much 5 days a week, injuries not withstanding. I pressed my shirts on a Sunday, and army folded them into a plastic bag which sat in a back pack. No creases, no road stains, no weather impact. Camera, I used and still do a contour. I had it on my helmet for years and then strapped to my stem under the handle bars. Intriguing footage either way. But the Contour is tubular, about 10 to 12 cm long so, to my mind, easier to mount than a square. Finally, I noticed that you did not take Middlemiss Street and wondered why. It is a one way street except for the dedicated bicycle lane running up to Arthur Street where you turn right to join the Pacific Hwy. Safer than dealing with the traffic coming off the Bridge I think. As for Sydney itself. Pedestrians, cars, trucks were all hostile and careless. But the most surprising accident I had was another cyclist ramming me in the rear coming off the Bridge Sydney side and getting upset because I was turning right down the hill, not left to the school. He buggered off without leaving detail while I dealt with a crack in my elbow.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for the comment and telling me about your experience. Funnily enough I am editing a video right now where I have filmed my entire commute. Should come out in the next week.

[@jessewhite2226]

Best place I have seen for segregated cycling lanes is Perth. I dare say there is about 1000 km of cycle ways where you do not need to touch one road. If you were to commute home from Perth CBD you could get as far as the equivalent of Sydney CBD to Campbelltown on a cycleway.

[@joshkwan]

There is a Perth Cycling youtuber I watch called Velographer. He is always showcasing cycle paths and infrastructure they have there. Im very jealous.

[@jessewhite2226]

I was lucky enough to live there. They are smart because they actually planned their city (With funding from mining companies) and made sure there is always a bike path along a motorway, railway and scenic route... and they all connect without roads, meaning you can transit anywhere in most of south west WA. Definitely worth a trip as you can travel from perth to Margaret river (Cycle heaven) on pretty good cycleways & some roads.@@joshkwan

[@alexjayryan]

I commute from Campsie to Macquarie park most days. It’s about 20km and 80% shared bike/pedestrian paths and 20% roads. It takes less time than driving.

[@jonathankerr882]

Gday mate, I'm an Aussie and Sydney boy, through and through. I'm living in Philippines last 10 years and love your video of communing Sydney on 2 wheels, keep it up mate, cheers Jono

[@joshkwan]

Glad I could give you a little view of riding in Sydney. Thanks for the comment mate

[@ryperactivity]

Philippines doesn't have bike lanes. You better be careful out there. Traffic is really bad there. Trust me I'm a Filipino. :D

[@bikenbeers]

Hi Josh, Nice video. I’m and Eastern Suburbs boy, old man really, and I’m currently on holidays in Vancouver. The cycling lanes here are unbelievable. I can get on a completely segregated cycle path right outside my Airbnb apartment and really not be on the road with cars all the way to Stanley Park - which I have to say is sooo much better than Centennial Park. Vancouver is set up so well through the CBD and suburbs with cycle lanes, most of which are segregated. I do feel very safe riding here even on the other side of the road. I might do a video or two as Sydney could definitely learn from Vancouver

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for the comment mate, great to hear about your experience here and in Vancouver. I was there about 5 years and Vancouver has done some fantastic work with their bike infrastructure.

[@customperforma6800]

So happy I moved to Sydney. My next goal is to buy a bicycle.

[@Kelvin200763]

Talk about the ramp in a reel ;) interested!

[@joshkwan]

Haha I think it’ll take a bit more than a reel! I feel like this project has so much history and politics behind it

[@gregbaxter5525]

My office end of trips have an iron and ironing board. Shirt fixed. Commute from Hills district is ok, jump on M2 then Epping Rd and Gore Hill cycleways/shared paths. Commute from Parramatta is pretty good too, paths along the river or through Oly park then quiet(ish) streets through the inner west and more shared paths to ANZAC bridge. Commute from Hornsby ok in the morning, I leave 5:30am and bomb it down the highway to Roseville then Archer street to Artarmon and getting onto the Gore Hill cycleways. Home in the evening has heavier traffic, take the quiet streets east of the train line.

[@joshkwan]

You’ve got quite the commute Greg, I can’t complain with my relatively short one. My current office lacks end of trip facilities but we’re moving to a brand new one in a couple of weeks! I can’t wait haha.

[@tomjones2189]

Hey Josh, nice! I live in the Hawkesbury but work in the city, I always cycle (3 days a week) but I go to a train station either closer or further depending on how I'm feeling... I'm planning on doing the 71 kms door to door soon but have to craft a good route first. My local cycleway (Windsor-Parra) seems designed for more leisurely riding (a bit rough and interspersed with lots of pedestrian crossings), for a commuter who wants to make good time and is also in a training mindset it doesn't let me maintain consistent pace well, so the road is much better for me. This is then a case of a cyclist continuing to use the road even where cycling infrastructure exists, which will probably frustrate motorists. From my perspective then, it's just as important to develop cycling infrastructure to help broad spectrum cyclists move around as it is to culturally evolve a little and welcome cyclists onto our roads, as cyclists should be able to pick one or the other depending on their preference. Also well done on your shirt hack! I'm fortunate enough to have a workplace that accepts t-shirts so it's a simple matter of stuffing everything into a water-proof sack for me :)

[@joshkwan]

Hey Thomas, thanks for the comment. Love the insight into your own commute as well as commuting in Sydney as a whole. I agree wholeheartedly with your points, and think we are heading in the right direction (albeit a bit slower than I’d like). The unfortunate thing is it’s hard to put cycling infrastructure in as an afterthought, so it is good to see a lot of newer projects incorporating it from the start. Hope you have a safe commute and maybe I’ll see you on the road! 👍🏻

[@nickobec]

My trick when commuting to work, was to take my work clothes in once a week on a non ride days, leave them at work and take the dirty clothes home. I do have one of those fancy roll up suit bags, the older messenger style, great for the 2km trip to the train station, but no so for the full 42km commute and especially when you jump on a group ride for an extended 75km commute.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks Nick, that’s a great little life hack. Since I only ride in once or twice a week I might as well do that.

[@hasbeenracing]

Yeah, all suits, shoes and toiletries kept in the bike room at work. Used to iron shirts for the week and take them in on a Friday when I drove in but will often just iron at work now. Very lucky to have such a good setup.

[@jamilla8588]

very epic, im inspired to cycle to work in shoalhaven now 👍💪

[@joshkwan]

Thankyou Have a safe commute

[@veryboringname.]

Seeing that Sydney traffic makes my 5km commute in Brisbane look like a lesuirely Sunday ride down to the shops. I guess that's the difference between a big city and a small country town! I'd be worried about the shirt flopping off to the side mid-ride! Fortunately I can wear shirts that don't wrinkle much so I just roll it up and keep it in my bag. 5 away from 1k! Let's gooooooooo!

[@joshkwan]

Regardless of the city, I much rather be riding a bike than sitting in a car in traffic haha! Moving office in 2 weeks to one with excellent End of Trip facilities. I’ll have to do a review of those when I get there.

[@hippo71124]

Lovely video! I have been skipping the bus and light rail connections by biking lately, and contemplating making that full commute from Newington (olympic park area) to UNSW. But quite worried that a. the traffic and b. I’m just too slow (20km/h max) haha

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for dropping a comment Andrew. I think good place to start is the shared paths and bike lanes which connect you to the city. Maybe along parramatta river? Best of luck mate

[@hippo71124]

@@joshkwan thanks for the pointer! I have next to 0 Sydney geographical knowledge haha. Let me look into the Paramarta River!

[@brasstinmancrazy]

Non Iron shirt from Charles Tyrwitt and roll it up. Never had an issue with the shirts from there.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for the tip Warren, I’ll check it out

[@Cliffy29]

Not all hittas wear capes

[@JulAlxAU]

Just had a ride into Hornsby and back this morning and I was about to get hit twice. Very stressful riding in urban areas. Unfortunately Sydney drivers are not the best!

[@joshkwan]

Yea, there’s no easy way to get from Hornsby into Sydney CBD. Hopefully in the future there will be a connected bike path.

[@fucktheworld1207]

I've tried chest mounts, I find them uncomfortable...and we have the same problem with bike lanes in my City of Liverpool here in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 designed by people who don't ride bikes.

[@joshkwan]

On one hand I am grateful they are putting them in. On the other hand…the design can be improved.

[@FollowThomas]

Nice bike trails but yes gotta watch for pedestrians

[@MrEmrahkocaman]

Have you tried Kent St cycleway instead of Pitt St when accessing the bridge? I think you could avoid the pedestrians that way, no opera house views though 😀

[@joshkwan]

I don't mind going this way when heading into the city. But theres no viable way to get onto it from King Street heading south, unless you ride on the footpath for 3 blocks. (Or i go backwards to the Liverpool one) Defs a good alternate in the morning though.

[@dominicbehrens9004]

@@joshkwan King st is soon to be connected- so you'll be able to go straight from king st over to kent st/pyrmont bridge.

[@joshkwan]

@@dominicbehrens9004 awesome, thanks for letting me know

[@whatelsewouldyoudo]

Where do you park your bike and is it safe whilst you're working?

[@joshkwan]

Luckily I am allowed to park my bike in my office. I hide it under the stairs near my desk 😜

[@christophershi5605]

Is your work shirt on your back HAHAH omg Edit lmao nice explanation

[@joshkwan]

Superman

[@larrymcgoldrick3471]

Why don't you ride down the center of those stairs at the end?

[@joshkwan]

They are crazy steep. I don’t trust myself not to die 🤣🤣

[@mikey.1205]

Lmao dude, is your work shirt just flapping loose on your back?

[@joshkwan]

Don’t need a drying machine now

[@JFomo]

Wear a cardigan over your crumpled shirt. No one will know.

[@joshkwan]

Haha perfect tip now that its almost winter