Transport for NSW's Review of Environmental Factors (REF) excludes safe, separated cycleways and outlines heightened risks for cyclists on King Street, where no stopping zones will create alternate dual-lane carriageways between Union and Darby Street at peak hour.

Council's Connecting Newcastle vision to revitalise Hunter Street features separated cycleways protected by a buffer of parked cars from centre lanes shared by light rail and motor vehicles.  

Cycle-Space International Director Dr Steven Fleming told The Property Council's recent Velotopia Lunch that "cyclists don't need Hunter Street but Hunter Street needs people on bikes" when emphasising the revitalisation aspect of the light rail.

The REF only claims that a review of options to support a dedicated east-west cycleway on King Street would be undertaken.

We need a guarantee that cycleways will be delivered as they are key components of our Hunter Street Revitalisation plan and a truly integrated transport network. 

Cycling is somehow being treated as an afterthought despite the fact the government has billed light rail as an urban revitalisation initiative.

You would have thought that safe, separated cycleways would be a prominent part of such a plan.

Council has long held plans for safe, separated cycleways in Hunter Street.