In a recent article from The Age [df317463], it is reported that six residents of Paddington in Sydney have lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission to stop the construction of a bike lane on Oxford Street. The complaint argues that the bike lane, which includes 'island bus stops' that force passengers to cross the bike lanes, will be discriminatory against the elderly and disabled. The residents want the commission to ask the City of Sydney council to halt construction of the western part of the cycleway and suspend planning of the eastern part.
The complaint includes video clips of crashes at similar bus stops in London and references a 2020 tribunal decision in Canada that found such bus stops discriminated against blind people. The residents are concerned about the safety and accessibility of the proposed bus stop designs. Transport for NSW, on the other hand, has stated that it is committed to safe and accessible transport for everyone and has sought feedback on the proposed bus stop designs [df317463].
This new development adds to the ongoing dispute surrounding the construction of the Oxford Street cycleway. It highlights the concerns of residents regarding the potential discrimination against vulnerable groups and the need for safe and accessible transport infrastructure. The complaint filed with the Australian Human Rights Commission brings attention to the importance of considering the rights and needs of all community members in urban planning and development projects [df317463].