Modern Australian
The Times

Why do so few people cycle for transport in Australia? 6 ideas on how to reap all the benefits of bikes

  • Written by Melanie Davern, Associate Professor, Director Australian Urban Observatory, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University
Why do so few people cycle for transport in Australia? 6 ideas on how to reap all the benefits of bikes

Less than 1% of the 12 million Australians who travelled to work on Census Day in 2021 rode a bicycle to get there.

Bicycles are readily available and affordable. Cycling also supports healthy, liveable and sustainable cities.

Yet most of us shun this form of transport in Australia. The number of people cycling to work fell by 26.4% between 2016 and 2021.

So, on World Bicycle Day, we ask why is this form of transport so undervalued and neglected?

We offer the following ideas about what needs to happen so more of us use bicycles for everyday transport.

Vertical bar chart showing numbers in Australia who used active transport – cycling and walking – to get to work at each census date from 1976 to 2021
Chart: The Conversation. Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia's journey to work, CC BY 1. Improve cycling infrastructure across our cities Remember the pop-up cycling lanes during COVID and how quickly many of them vanished? With multiple local and state governments managing roads across the country, we have no way of knowing where all the painted or separated cycling lanes currently exist. Better-connected cycling infrastructure is needed to increase the use of bicycles for transport. At present we don’t understand how well, safely and equitably cycling routes connect up across Australian cities. 2. Use AI to help fill the gaps Deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) methods can help pinpoint areas with limited or no cycling infrastructure across the nation. The Australian Urban Observatory will lead a new research project to trial this technology. AI could help governments identify neighbourhoods lacking cycling infrastructure and end-of-trip facilities, street signs, measure cycling participation and monitor cycling lanes to ensure they’re well marked and maintained. Deep-learning AI is already used to improve cycling performance. It has huge potential to support detailed, cost-effective, real-time identification, management and maintenance of cycling infrastructure. A big advantage of AI is it can be scaled up. Once trained, AI models can be replicated across many neighbourhoods to identify urban design features that support cycling. It’s even more useful when combined with citizen science and rider experiences, as we plan to do. This AI technology requires high-resolution satellite imagery and spatial data to identify objects and features. Imagery collected by organisations such as Australia Post, transport departments and road maintenance companies would be perfect for AI analysis. We welcome approaches from potential industry partners for our project. 3. Use simulations to evaluate decisions on cycling Our cities are growing fast. This creates many challenges, including climate change, traffic congestion, air quality and health. To tackle these challenges, we need evidence to minimise trial-and-error decision-making. Virtual laboratories can be very useful for evaluating policies and investments before they are put into effect. The key question for decision-makers is where to invest for maximum benefit and minimal harm. Computer transport simulation models can help answer this question. These models can calculate changes in traffic, cycling uptake and emissions before infrastructure is built. They have traditionally been used to build business cases for infrastructure investment. However, these models have often neglected cycling. The result is a lack of quantitative, case-specific evidence to support investment decisions on cycling infrastructure. That’s why we developed the Transport Health Assessment Tools for Brisbane and Melbourne. The results show the health benefits of walking and cycling. A smiling older man ride a bicycle along a cycle path through a park Policymakers’ decision-making has neglected cycling’s benefits for health, wellbeing and liveability. IndianFaces/Shutterstock 4. Plan with a focus on cycling Australia will have to do more than set up a Net Zero Economy Authority to get to net zero. Electric vehicles won’t solve the problem soon. Transport produces about a fifth of Australia’s emissions but its share is predicted to grow, becoming the largest source of emissions by 2030. Cycling offers transport that’s almost free, sustainable, time-efficient and healthy. Walking and cycling are no-brainer options to get to net zero sooner. We can measure basic walkability across neighbourhoods, but where is the connected urban policy support for cycling? We need academics, policymakers and cycling advocates to work together on these problems. It would be great to see “bicycle mayors” such as Chennai’s Felix John in our cities. Places like the Netherlands and New Zealand give priority to cycling through planning policies and infrastructure such as bike paths and dedicated cycle lanes. The result is high rates of cycling, including children, women and older people who are considered more vulnerable road users. Australian rates of cycling for transport are dismally low. There’s also a huge gender gap. Cyclists wait in line on a cycle path for the lights to change Commuters cycle home from work in London. Joe Kuis/Shutterstock 5. Make active transport a funding priority Government infrastructure policies prioritise large, costly road megaprojects, such as Victoria’s A$26 billion North East Link. They entrench many harms of car use, including carbon emissions and other pollution, and displace more active and sustainable forms of travel. By comparison, walking and cycling infrastructure is cheap and small scale. But to get the greatest benefit it must be broadly spread and connected. We need comprehensive cycling infrastructure plans for our cities that put cycling projects ahead of megaroads for funding. The federal budget provided an extra $3.2 billion for the over-budget North East Link in Victoria. It announced $100 million for a National Active Transport Fund and a national approach to sustainable urban development. Halting or deferring funding for massive road projects could free up enough money to transform metropolitan cycling networks. That would support a shift away from cars, creating savings as road projects could be deferred or cancelled. 6. Connect cycling to long-term health benefits A lack of safe cycling infrastructure denies vulnerable road users the use of this sustainable and healthy transport. This has a long-term and compounding effect: if people don’t take up cycling when young it translates into fewer adult cyclists later. They miss out on being physically active through cycling and its life-long health benefits. Cycling improves physical and mental health. Some studies suggest cyclists are happier and more productive workers. There’s an incentive for employers to support cycling – even at their desks. Cycling also benefits children by improving their health, social wellbeing and academic performance. For all these reasons, cycling is an undervalued mode of transport that needs urgent support. It’s critical for healthy, sustainable and liveable cities of the future. Authors: Melanie Davern, Associate Professor, Director Australian Urban Observatory, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University

Read more https://theconversation.com/why-do-so-few-people-cycle-for-transport-in-australia-6-ideas-on-how-to-reap-all-the-benefits-of-bikes-229811

Make Dad a Guest in His Own Home This Father’s Day

Father’s Day can accidentally turn Dad into the unpaid event manager of his own celebration. He lights the barbecue, finds extra chairs, checks wh...

Where to Enjoy Your Off-Road Caravan on the Gold Coast

With a caravan, you can travel anywhere and everywhere without battling the rush of the peak holiday season or last-minute reservations. While the r...

How Osteopathy Supports Recovery from Sciatica and Nerve Pain

Sciatica isn't just annoying. It's genuinely painful. It sits deep in your glute and shoots straight down the back of your leg. It turns something as...

The Winter Jewellery Edit: Five Pieces You'll Wear All Season

As wardrobes shift to cosy knits, tailored coats and rich seasonal textures, jewellery becomes the finishing touch that pulls every winter outfit to...

7 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Piston Air Compressor

If you run a workshop, panel shop, or fabrication business anywhere around Perth, you already know what heat and dust do to equipment over a few sum...

How Long Do Bathroom Renovations Melbourne Take? Step-by-Step Process Explained

Planning a bathroom renovation is exciting, but one of the biggest questions homeowners ask is, "How long will it take?" While every project is uniq...

Why Your Skin Breaks Out: The Science of Acne Explained

Acne is the most common skin condition in the world. An estimated 85% of people experience it at some point between the ages of 12 and 24, and a gro...

10 Swimwear Trends Australian Women Are Wearing This Summer

Every Australian summer brings a fresh wave of swimwear trends, but some styles have much greater staying power than others. While fashion constantly ...

Why Regular Skills Updates Are Essential for Licensed Security Officers

A guard at a Brisbane shopping centre gets a call about a shoplifter who's turned aggressive.  They’ve done the job for six years. But their de-...

10 Benefits of Choosing Professional Tutoring Penrith Services

Every student has unique learning strengths, challenges, and academic goals. While classroom teaching provides essential knowledge and structure, so...

Sunshine Coast Baby Classes Prove Big Hit Among First-Time Mums

There's a movement gaining traction on the Sunshine Coast, providing a village of support, socialisation and relief for first-time mothers and babie...

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Men Who Are Hard to Buy For

Some dads are easy to buy for. Others do not want anything, already have everything, or give you the classic "don't worry about me" answer every yea...

Top 5 Mistakes That Wear Out Your Brakes Faster

Brakes don't need frequent replacements like oil changes do.   But a lot of the wear happens quietly, over months, because of habits most drivers...

Plantation Shutters vs Curtains: Which Is Better for Your New Home?

Moving into a new home is an exciting opportunity to personalise your space and make it your own. While many homeowners focus on furniture, flooring...

Celebration of Life vs Traditional Funeral: What's the Difference?

When saying goodbye to someone you love, there is no single way to honour their life. Every family has different traditions, beliefs, and preference...

Building Approval for Roofing Projects: What Homeowners Need to Know

Roofing projects are an important part of maintaining and protecting your home. Whether you're repairing storm damage, replacing an ageing roof, or ...

Chatswood Tutoring And Its Role In Academic Achievement

Academic success often requires more than classroom attendance alone. Students face increasing expectations as they progress through school, particu...

Why Laser Hair Removal Treatments Continue Growing In Popularity

Managing unwanted hair can become time-consuming and frustrating for many people, especially when shaving, waxing, and other temporary methods requi...