Survey Works Kick Off on Sylvan Road as Toowong Bikeway Takes Shape

Survey and service identification works are beginning along Sylvan Road in Toowong between late April and late May, marking a tangible step forward in plans to deliver a long-awaited separated bikeway connecting the Western Freeway Bikeway with the Bicentennial Bikeway.



The works will run along Sylvan Road between Milton Road and Coronation Drive, and along Land Street between Sylvan Road and Patrick Lane, on weekdays throughout that period. The findings will feed directly into the project design, with a community update to follow once that work is complete.

Residents and commuters travelling through the area can expect to see workers using survey and service detection equipment, temporary lane closures with minor traffic delays, and traffic controllers and signage managing the flow. Vehicles with reversing alarms and flashing lights will also be operating in the area during works.

A Route That Already Carries More Than 1,100 Riders a Day

Sylvan Road is no stranger to cyclists. The street has served as a key link in Brisbane’s inner-western cycling network for years, sitting on the Queensland Principal Cycle Network and recording more than 1,130 bike and e-mobility trips on a typical weekday. That level of daily use makes it one of the busiest cycling corridors in the western suburbs, and one of the most pressing cases for improved infrastructure.

Sylvan Road bikeway
Photo Credit: BCC

The road currently carries a mix of peak-hour bike lanes and lanes that run between parked cars and moving traffic, a configuration that many riders find stressful, particularly at the intersections of Sylvan Road, Croydon Street and Jephson Street, and at the Milton Road junction. The project aims to deliver separated active transport connections that physically divide walking, riding and driving spaces, making the route safer and more comfortable for everyone from confident commuter cyclists to families and newcomers to riding.

Years in the Making, Now Moving

The push for a safer Sylvan Road goes back at least to 2017, when peak-hour bike lanes were introduced as an interim safety measure. Community feedback gathered in mid-2025 through a dedicated consultation process reinforced what many locals had long been saying: the existing setup falls short of what a route this busy deserves. That feedback, combined with technical data and design guidelines, is now shaping the next stage of planning.

Photo Credit: BCC

The project’s design phase has received grant support, with construction funding now being progressed and the agreement yet to be finalised.

Next Steps for Toowong Riders and Residents

The survey and service works running through late April and May are critical investigative steps. While this stage is focused on data collection, locals can expect early works and site preparation to kick off from mid-2026. These initial activities will pave the way for major construction, with the project team currently targeting full completion of the separated bikeway by 2028.

Residents who want to stay across the project can contact the project team directly on 07 3178 5413 during business hours, or reach the general inquiry line on 07 3403 8888 at any time. Written correspondence can be sent to the Toowong Intersection Improvements and Sylvan Road Bikeway project team at GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001. Full project information, maps and frequently asked questions are available here.



Published 17-April-2026

Toowong Bikeway Link Moves Ahead After Strong Community Support

More than 1,100 people on bikes and e-scooters travel the Sylvan Road Bikeway corridor each weekday in Brisbane’s inner west, despite the route running directly alongside traffic with no physical separation. Plans are now advancing for a protected bikeway through Toowong.



Early works are expected to start from mid-2026, with a target completion in 2028, after community consultation held in June 2025. The project is backed by a Queensland cycling grant supporting the design phase and a $5 million federal contribution announced on 27 February 2025, towards an estimated $12 million total cost.

A Key Link Between Two Major Bikeways

Sylvan Road is a key connection between two major off-road routes: the Bicentennial Bikeway near the river and the Western Freeway Bikeway. Council describes the project as part of local network improvements around Sylvan Road and nearby intersections, aimed at making trips smoother and safer for more people moving through Toowong. 

The route has also been highlighted in cycling safety reporting, including BikeSpot material that collects and maps locations riders consider unsafe. 

Strong Community Support

Council’s community engagement update reports strong support for protected infrastructure on Sylvan Road. It says 93 per cent of respondents believed a separated bikeway would have a positive or very positive effect on their travel, while 94 per cent said they would feel very safe or somewhat safe using Sylvan Road if a separated bikeway was installed. 

Photo Credit: BCC

The consultation summary also reports concerns about avoiding crashes, unsafe turning movements and limited crossing options. It notes people asked for safer crossings, slower traffic speeds, wider footpaths, better lighting and more greenery to improve comfort for everyone using the street.

Photo Credit: BCC

Alongside separated bike lanes, Council’s update also points to work around major junctions connected to Sylvan Road, including Croydon Street, Jephson Street and Milton Road. Council says it is working toward concept designs in early 2026, with detailed design expected later in the year, and construction timing dependent on how the design develops.

Council’s “Your Say” page for the project describes Sylvan Road as a popular cycling route linking the two bikeways and says there is an opportunity to improve safety for walking, riding and scooting, including at key intersections.



Published 23-Jan-2026