For years, Justin Reid has watched his local community enjoy the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, a breathtaking stretch of Sydney’s coastline, but he can’t join them.

Justin lives with Muscular Dystrophy, a condition that has progressively limited his mobility. As he transitioned to using a wheelchair, he realised the harsh reality: this iconic walk is completely inaccessible to him and many others like him. The steep flights of stairs that line the path make it impossible for wheelchair users, older adults and parents with prams to enjoy this world-famous walk. Don’t we all deserve to enjoy this experience?

Justin wasn’t willing to accept this. In 2009, he and his friend Adam Long proposed a bold solution to Waverley Council - The Bondi Rollercoaster. Their vision was simple: a step-free, accessible path from South Bondi to Marks Park, running alongside the existing coastal walk. The Council voted unanimously to support the plan. Yet over 15 years later, the path still hasn’t been built.

In 2024, Julian Pereira (who lives with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) and his friend David Da Costa Enes joined the conversation. At the Sculpture by the Sea Bondi exhibition, they showed The Thinker, a powerful sculpture that called attention to Waverley Council’s unfulfilled commitment to build an accessible path. The message was clear: access to this iconic walk should not be a privilege it should be a right.

What’s at Stake?

Every day thousands of people are socially and physically excluded from the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. Over one-in-five Australians live with a disability. Older adults with limited mobility, anyone who struggles with stairs and parents pushing prams are also not able to access this beautiful coastal walk. We want equitable access for all.

But this is bigger than just accessibility. The existing path is fragile. In April 2024, a rock collapse forced the closure of a large section of the walk. More damage is inevitable. The Bondi Rollercoaster would provide an essential alternative route, reducing congestion and ensuring that future generations can enjoy this walk regardless of mobility.

Why Now?

The Council made a commitment in 2009. It’s time to follow through.

With growing community support and recent infrastructure failures proving the urgent need for an alternative path, now is the time to act. We need to show Waverley Council, as well as the State and Federal Governments, that the public demands action. Sign the petition today to ensure that Justin, Julian, and the many others that are excluded finally get the access they deserve.

Let’s make the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk accessible to all before another decade passes us by.

For more information please visit our website: www.bondirollercoaster.com.au

Our supporters:
www.hireup.com.au
www.wheeleasy.org

The below donation option goes directly to change.org to get the petition in front of more people, while useful your donation would be most effective when made to our crowdfunding to assist in our broader advocacy efforts:
https://gofund.me/e2b72ea3