When Sam Reich moved to Newcastle in 1998, the city's cycling heritage seemed lost to history. The massive bike sheds at the steelworks that once held 6,000 workers' bikes were gone, replaced by car parks and congestion.

"They wouldn't have even called it a cycling culture," Sam says of Newcastle's steel era. "It was just a convenient way of getting to work."

Nearly three decades later, Reich is president of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement, leading an organisation that's been fighting since 1977 to reclaim that heritage and make cycling a transport norm in the Hunter region.

The long game

After arriving in Australia in 1985 and settling in the Hunter Valley's mining industry, Sam joined NCM as the local Bicycle NSW branch. Early group rides introduced him to a small community of committed cyclists, but serious involvement came in the early 2000s, eventually leading to his current presidency.

NCM's early decades faced what Sam describes as "reasonably hostile and adversarial" relationships with councils fixated on expanding roads and car parks. But as evidence mounted that car-centric development was unsustainable, councils began listening. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie established consultative committees where NCM could provide direct input on planning decisions.

"We've become a lot more cooperative and constructive," Sam says. "When councils have needed feedback from us and incorporated it, it's almost always improved the project."

Transport, not toys

Sam bristles when people call cycling infrastructure "recreational." NCM has always advocated for transport networks connecting homes to schools, workplaces, and shops.

"Bicycles are not toys. They are modes of transport," he emphasises. "When councils build paths that meander and wander and don't connect, and say 'we gave you a cycleway,' we say 'we're looking for ways to commute to work and school.'"

The Fernleigh Track, converted from an old coal railway, exemplifies this distinction. Though often highlighted as recreational infrastructure, it's become a major commuting route into the city, frequently faster than the congested Pacific Highway.

The partnership between NCM and councils paid off during COVID-19, when Newcastle won two pop-up cycleway projects. One created Copenhagen-style separated lanes on Hunter Street that have become a model for future expansion. Council has now allocated $6.1 million in their 2025-26 budget for cycleways, with plans to extend Hunter Street's protected lanes west to Wickham and Islington.

The Richmond Vale vision

Beyond immediate infrastructure wins, NCM is pushing ambitious regional projects. The Richmond Vale Rail Trail would convert a privately-owned coal railway line into a heritage trail connecting Newcastle, Cessnock, and Lake Macquarie. Development consent is secured, but construction awaits funding.

The broader Shiraz to Shore concept could be transformational—a $150 million network connecting Hunter Valley vineyards to the shores of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, with economic impact studies predicting $119 million flowing into the local economy.

The funding fight

Sam's frustration with state government funding for active transport is palpable. "The current state government talked the talk, but so far they're not walking the walk," he says. Current funding through the Get NSW Active program totals just $40 million statewide, with councils required to wait three years between grants.

Meanwhile, City of Newcastle finally has resources to match its ambitions—a dedicated active transport team has replaced the single overworked planner who used to juggle cycling projects with everything else.

Building community

After years when NCM struggled to attract active members, Sam has focused on making the organisation a "full-service bicycle user group" again.

Regular night rides have proven hugely successful. Over 100 people joined the winter ride tied to the Winter Heat Festival, families and kids decorating bikes with lights and ringing bells through city streets. Bike maintenance classes, swap meets, and social rides complement the policy work.

"This stuff doesn't happen by itself," Sam tells potential members. "Somebody has to push it. I've got nothing against people taking advantage of infrastructure, but remember it didn't fall from the air like manna from heaven."

Monthly meetings at Modus Merewether brew pub offer an accessible entry point. Membership is free—just join the email list.

The work ahead

Sam acknowledges the dichotomy in Australia's approach to sustainability—everyone agrees emissions should drop, yet the average car size keeps increasing and massive utes dominate sales.

"We are completely self-deluded in this country about what it will really take to reduce emissions and make the environment more livable," he says.

But progress comes in increments. More people cycling means more pressure for better infrastructure. Better infrastructure encourages more people to cycle.

After nearly 50 years, Newcastle Cycleways Movement is still fighting. And slowly, they're winning.

Quick-fire FAQ: Newcastle cycling advocacy

When was Newcastle Cycleways Movement founded?

Newcastle Cycleways Movement was established in 1977, making it one of the founding bicycle user groups of what is now Bicycle NSW. The organisation has been advocating for better cycling infrastructure in the Hunter region for nearly 50 years.

What is Newcastle Cycleways Movement's main goal?

NCM's mission is to make cycling a transport norm in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter region. They focus on advocating for connected, safe cycling infrastructure that helps people commute to work, school, and shops—not just recreational paths.

How much is Newcastle Council investing in cycleways?

Newcastle Council has allocated $6.1 million in the 2025-26 budget for cycleway projects, including extending the Hunter Street protected bike lanes west to Wickham and Islington, connecting Brunker Road to Newcastle West, and linking Lambton Park to Croudace Street.

What is the Richmond Vale Rail Trail?

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail is a proposed heritage trail that would convert a former coal railway line into a cycling and walking path connecting Newcastle, Cessnock, and Lake Macquarie. Development consent has been secured, with the broader Shiraz to Shore network predicted to inject $119 million into the local economy.

How can I get involved with Newcastle Cycleways Movement?

Membership is free—simply join their mailing list at newcastlecycleways.org.au. NCM holds monthly meetings at Modus Merewether brew pub (both in-person and online), organises community rides, and runs events like bike maintenance classes and night rides. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Does Newcastle have protected bike lanes?

Yes. Newcastle has Copenhagen-style separated bike lanes on Hunter Street between National Park Street and Worth Place, installed as a COVID-19 pop-up project. Council has approved extending these protected lanes west along Hunter Street to create a proper commuter route.

What cycling routes exist in Newcastle now?

The Fernleigh Track is a major off-road route from Adamstown to Belmont, often faster than the Pacific Highway for commuting. The 2024 Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) extended this to Murrays Beach. Newcastle also has growing on-road infrastructure and connections to Lake Macquarie's network.