BeatTheBus
Public transport can be hit and miss - jump on a bike ?
This compilation details the Beat the Bus series, designed to identify popular Sydney routes where cycling is more efficient than public transport without requiring high speeds. To qualify, journeys must lead to high-population areas, utilize shared paths or well-marked council roads, maintain an average speed under 20km/h, and be completed in under 45 minutes.
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1. Botany North to Central Station
This flat route begins at the north-eastern end of Botany (Pagewood), following the shared path on Wentworth Avenue before heading north along Dunning Avenue to Green Square Station. From there, it uses the George St cycleway to Prince Alfred Park.
• Result: 30 minutes at an average speed of 17.5km/h, saving 15 minutes over the 45-minute bus trip.
• Links: Here is the Strava or here in Ride with GPS You can see the trail on our Sydney map here >>>
2. Randwick to Marrickville
Starting at Randwick Town Hall, this route travels through the south side of Centennial Park, Zetland, the Bourke St Cycleway, and Sydney Park. The author opted for Dacey Avenue to save time rather than Moore Park. One downside noted was the frequent need to press buttons at road crossings.
• Result: 40 minutes by bike, saving 15–20 minutes over the 55–60 minute train/bus combo.
• Links: Strava Here and RideWithGPS here Sydney BikeTrail Map.
3. Glebe to Martin Place
Inspired by commuters, this route starts at Glebe Town Hall, heads down St Johns Rd, through Wentworth Park, and utilizes back streets in Pyrmont to reach the Pyrmont Bridge. It then follows the King St cycle path to Pitt St Mall and Martin Place.
• Result: 19–20 minutes by bike, beating the bus which averages 25–45 minutes in peak hour.
• Links: RideWithGPS here
4. Rooty Hill to Horsley Park Estates
This commute connects Rooty Hill Station to the Oakdale industrial estate via the M7 Cycleway and Old Wallgrove Rd. The path is a safe, flat, concrete cycleway that crosses the spectacular M4-M7 crossover.
• Result: 26 minutes for a 10km ride, saving 20 minutes compared to the 45-minute (minimum) bus trip.
• Links: Strava Here and just the commute from Rooty Station is on RideWithGPS here
5. Alexandria to Darling Harbour Precinct
Starting at Erskineville Oval, this scenic route passes through the Australian Technology Park, Chippendale Green, and The Goods Line. It is described as possibly Sydney’s best short commute, though cyclists should take care around Redfern Station.
• Result: 17–18 minutes by bike, saving 7–12 minutes over peak hour public transport.
• Links: Find RideWithGPS here, The Sydney BikeTrail Map.
6. Earlwood Heights to Ikea
This 20-minute ride explores the area behind Wolli Station in Earlwood, where the M5 Motorway goes underground at Bexley North. The author suggests this “wild forest” area would have been an ideal location for a cycleway.
the actual 6km trail on RideWithGPS here
• Result: 20-minute ride.
7. Browns Water Hole
Connecting South Turramurra shops to Macquarie University via Lane Cove National Park, this route uses a concrete weir. Caveat: This path is a complete “no go” if it rains due to flooding risks at the weir.
• Result: 17–18 minutes by bike, saving 10 minutes over the 26-minute bus trip.
• Links: Ride with GPS Trail here >> , map of Sydney here, See the map.
8. Shrimptons Creek
This 5km trail runs from Top Ryde Shopping Centre to Macquarie University, crossing only four roads. It passes through Santa Rosa Park and follows the creek north to Waterloo Rd.
• Result: 25 minutes by bike, beating the peak hour bus by 2–5 minutes.
• Links: The route is Purple on the Sydney Map here with the extension to the Top Ryde shops in commuter green.
9. The Randwick Tram
A comparison between the new light rail and a bike ride from UNSW to Circular Quay. The cyclist bypassed tram crossings by going through Fox Studios and Martin Rd to avoid stopping.
• Result: The bicycle won by 9 minutes, as the tram schedule was seven minutes longer than the 45-minute ride.
• Links: RideWithGPS route here.
10. The Slow Train to Cronulla
This challenge compared a round-the-horn train trip from Bondi Junction to Cronulla against an eBike assisted by a strong “southerly buster” wind.
• Note: The ride was illustrated using the author’s Google Maps timeline.
See the Strava route here
11. The Speedy RiverCat
This unique challenge involved taking the no-stop RiverCat ferry from Barangaroo to Olympic Park (25 mins) and comparing the return journey by bike via Mortlake, Ashfield, and the Stanmore cycleway.
• Result: The Boat and Bicycle combo won by 7 minutes, including the 5-minute wait at the wharf.
• Links: RideWithGPS route here, Sydney Map here.
12. Campsie to Sydenham
In response to the Bankstown Line shutdown, this route compares “pink” replacement buses to a ride along the Cooks River. While buses take 25–30 minutes, the picturesque bike route offers a comparable and more comfortable alternative.
• Result: 29 minutes by bike, matching or beating the 25–30 minute bus trip.
• Links: Strava ride here, Sydney Map here.
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To think of these routes, imagine the city’s transport network as a giant, slow-moving river; cycling is like finding the narrow, hidden side-streams that let you paddle past the logjams of traffic and bus stops.