Transport for NSW’s latest “Oxford Street Cycleway Community Update” (November 2025) paints a glossy picture, wider footpaths, more trees, and a “greener, safer” Oxford Street.
It sounds good on paper. But beneath the renderings and artist impressions are serious concerns that the community cannot afford to ignore.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Transport for NSW notes that “Oxford Street is a popular travel route with over 900 bike riders, but 25,000 bus passengers and 34,000 motorists travel along it each day.”
That statistic says it all. Oxford Street is a major transport artery, not just for cyclists, but for tens of thousands of commuters, small businesses, and residents who depend on reliable bus and car access.
Reducing Oxford Street to a single lane in each direction risks creating mass congestion, slowing buses, and diverting traffic into Paddington’s already narrow residential streets.
Promises of “Green and Beautiful”
The update highlights plans for “wider footpaths, new trees, and landscaped areas.”
No one is against greening Oxford Street, we all want a more attractive public space, but these benefits ring hollow when they come at the cost of access, parking, and safety for locals.
If customers can’t reach shops, if residents can’t park near their homes, and if delivery drivers are forced to double-park or block traffic, the “green” vision quickly turns grey.
What’s Missing
The document focuses heavily on aesthetics but fails to meaningfully address:
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How single-lane traffic will impact bus reliability for 25,000 daily passengers.
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The loss of essential parking and loading zones that support local businesses.
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The potential for rat-running through residential Paddington streets.
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The lack of genuine community consultation on alternatives that could balance safety with accessibility.
A Balanced Vision for Paddington
The Paddington Project supports better cycling infrastructure, but not at the expense of the community’s fabric.
Oxford Street deserves thoughtful planning that considers all users: cyclists, pedestrians, commuters, businesses, and residents alike.
We urge Transport for NSW and the City of Sydney to pause and re-examine how this plan can truly enhance, not divide, Paddington.
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