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Cycling Infrastructure for Australian Cities

Major Cities Unit, Infrastructure Australia,
Background Paper, March 2009

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2009 the Australian Government sought advice on how to best facilitate the modal shift towards cycling as a viable and sustainable means for commuting, local trips and recreation. It is noted that:

• Australia falls well behind best practice: in some western European countries 10-20% of journeys are made by bicycle compared to Australia with less than 2%;
• There is enormous scope to increase the modal share of cycling, particularly for those 40% of Australians commuting less than 10km to their place of work or study, or those making short local trips;
• There are significant benefits to cycling, including reductions in traffic congestion improvements to public health and reductions in obesity.
• The countries that have successfully increased cycling as a mode share have had specific, measurable policies, cross-integration of relevant government agencies, and made major investments into cycling-related infrastructure and education.
• In addition to providing physical facilities, other successful countries have undertaken awareness and education campaigns to tackle issues of safety (real and perceived); to improve driver, cyclist and pedestrian behaviour; and to promote cycling and walking as the mode of choice for commuting and short journeys.
• Further investigations can be made, applying international research and experience, to the Australian context to:
  • Evaluate the benefits and costs of cycling infrastructure,
  • Improve safety, and
  • How to best achieve a decisive modal shift to cycling through improved policy integration, construction of physical infrastructure, and behavioural change.

The Australian Government has recently committed $40 million of its $42 billion stimulus package on cycling infrastructure.

Specific requests to Infrastructure Australia for cycling projects are tabled at Appendix D.

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