I'd suggest a compromise; cycleways outside the CBD and lower speed limits and shared facilities within them (also discouraging motor vehicles in CBD's in favour of bikes, buses etc. As Suzie, alludes, cycling on footpaths is almost as dangerous as busy roads!

Stickman,
How does "paying taxes" entitle cyclists to use an amenity they haven't contributed to? I pay taxes which contribute to the Navy, doesn't get me a ride in a ship.

"Higher demographic" what, cyclist earn more and are more intelligent, so you pay more tax? What a dumb argument. The fact that some cyclists also own cars is irrelevant, if they are riding a bike which requires no fees which contribute towards road maintenance, they shouldn't be there. In other words, if cyclists expect to use roads directly, they should pay in some way, and not by leaving their car at home. Your "no damage" argument is also stupid, since it also applies to motorcycles, riders of which have paid outlandish rates for registration for many years (in fact as youth I paid more to register a 650cc than the family station wagon).

You also obviously have no comprehension of what it's like to encounter a lunatic on a cycle on the open road in the outback. I have, as that's where I live, and I have encountered both the shiney black lycra backside and the panniered foreigner types in some hairy places.

If you cyclists want to use the roads, PAY FOR IT, and if you want nice smooth cycle lanes free of nasty petrol heads, dozy pedestrians and snarling dogs, PAY FOR THEM YOURSELVES.

I might also add that cyclists add to the burden on society by the number of accidents they have and the hospital beds they take up, and the loading on premiums for other road users that cyclists DON'T PAY.

"Viking 13 - thanks for the inflammatory rant, very helpful."

You're welcome. Have some more.

Having spent my childhood cycling in a relatively flat city before coming to Sydney, I was a big fan. However, with the relatively hilly terrain here, one requires much more effort to travel, which precludes all but fit enthusiasts or those living close.

While the concept of cycling is a great idea, it is probably impractical for Sydney. There would be a better investment in say Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth.

Viking13 said: "How does "paying taxes" entitle cyclists to use an amenity they haven't contributed to?"

They HAVE contributed to it, because they paid tax. That Navy argument is a meaningless non-sequitur.

Viking13 said: ""Higher demographic" what, cyclist earn more and are more intelligent, so you pay more tax? What a dumb argument."

Well, you have to laugh sometimes don't you? Intelligence has nothing to do with it, but yes, that is actually how it works. More income = more tax. It's called "the income tax system!"

Here's a link to explain how progressive taxation works!

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/12333.htm

Viking13 said: "In other words, if cyclists expect to use roads directly, they should pay in some way, and not by leaving their car at home."

Well since you seem a little slow on the uptake, let me break it down for you.

1. I have a car
2. I paid to register it.
3. I have a bike
4. Every time I travel somewhere, I could
a: use the car
b: use the bike
5. Every time I DON'T use the car, I DON'T cause damage to the road, I DON'T spew out noxious exhaust fumes and I get fitter, reducing my chances of ending up a burden on the public health system.

Face it - you just hate people who ride bikes and are using this forum to vent.

And to quote Mark Twain: "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference", so that will be all, you are doing a far better job of making a fool of yourself than I can.

I have spent my first week working in the Brisbane CBD. I catch my bus in Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill. This narrow 2 lane road caters to cars, buses and cyclists. The number of near misses I have witnessed in the few days is simply shocking and I am sorry to say that 99% of the time the cyclist has been at fault. A faster cyclist overtaking a slow group riding 4 or 5 abreast with out even bothering to look what is coming up behind - another inexplicably moving from the left to the middle of the lane again unaware of what is coming behind - a very slow rider overtaking a bus at a stop forcing the bus to follow at snails pace to the next stop - and the poor guy who couldn't make it any further and simply stopped in front of a bus - and don't forget that most of these cyclists have ipods stuffed in their ears and can't even hear what is going on around them. Build more bikeways and get these fools off our roads for everyone's sake (but particularly the bus drivers).

Sparkyq,
as a devoted cyclist I'm shocked and disappointed at the behaviour you describe. Cyclists should be heavily penalised like anybody else for traffic offences. However I do not trust your account, or believe that the majority of cyclists are the "fools" you imply them to be. Go to one of the world's genuinely cosmopolitan capitals (in terms of traffic) and you will witness many abuses of etiquette (among all road users), but not many outright misdemeanors, or at least nothing that's not a commonplace infringement, such as when a motorist runs that arrow as it changes from orange to red. Cyclists are ordinary people, capable of the same mistakes and poor judgement as anyone, except they are more vulnerable (and ergo more cautious). Just as 90% of motorists behave themselves, so do 90% of cyclists. As for "four or five abreast", surely you exaggerate? A group of cyclists, from different angles and distances can "appear" to be severally abreast, but this is seldom the reality; I ride in groups all the time and none of us ever ride more than the legal two abreast; we also fall into single file for motorists--actually a courtesy that we are not required to observe. It's rare, in my experience, that cyclists are offered similar courtesy's.
All this strengthens my argument for lower CBD speed limits; humans can be unpredictable and irrational in general, they're maladapted to the speeds currently permitted.
Btw, Viking 13, you're an idiot!