The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

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[1] 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[2].

Yet most of us shun[3] this form of transport in Australia. The number of people cycling to work fell by 26.4%[4] between 2016 and 2021.

So, on World Bicycle Day[5], 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[6][7] 1. Improve cycling infrastructure across our cities Remember the pop-up cycling lanes during COVID[8] 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[9] 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[10] (AI) methods can help pinpoint areas with limited or no cycling infrastructure across the nation. The Australian Urban Observatory[11] will lead a new research project[12] 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[13]. 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[14]. 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[15] and rider experiences[16], 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[17] 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[18] and Melbourne[19]. 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[20] 4. Plan with a focus on cycling Australia will have to do more than set up a Net Zero Economy Authority[21] to get to net zero. Electric vehicles won’t solve the problem[22] soon. Transport produces about a fifth of Australia’s emissions[23] but its share is predicted to grow[24], becoming the largest source of emissions[25] 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[26] in our cities. Places like the Netherlands[27] and New Zealand[28] 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[29], 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[30]. Cyclists wait in line on a cycle path for the lights to change Commuters cycle home from work in London. Joe Kuis/Shutterstock[31] 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[32]. 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[33] for the over-budget North East Link in Victoria. It announced $100 million for a National Active Transport Fund[34] and a national approach to sustainable urban development[35]. 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[36]. There’s an incentive for employers to support cycling – even at their desks[37]. Cycling also benefits children[38] 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. References^ 12 million Australians (www.abs.gov.au)^ healthy, liveable and sustainable cities (theconversation.com)^ most of us shun (www.mdpi.com)^ fell by 26.4% (www.abs.gov.au)^ World Bicycle Day (www.who.int)^ Chart: The Conversation. Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia's journey to work (www.abs.gov.au)^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)^ pop-up cycling lanes during COVID (www.theage.com.au)^ Better-connected cycling infrastructure (www.sciencedirect.com)^ Deep-learning artificial intelligence (www.forbes.com)^ Australian Urban Observatory (auo.org.au)^ research project (cur.org.au)^ cycling performance (www.cyclingweekly.com)^ scaled up (hbr.org)^ citizen science (theconversation.com)^ rider experiences (www.amygillett.org.au)^ simulation models (scholar.google.com)^ Brisbane (auo.org.au)^ Melbourne (auo.org.au)^ IndianFaces/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)^ Net Zero Economy Authority (www.pm.gov.au)^ won’t solve the problem (theconversation.com)^ fifth of Australia’s emissions (www.dcceew.gov.au)^ predicted to grow (www.dcceew.gov.au)^ largest source of emissions (www.dcceew.gov.au)^ Chennai’s Felix John (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)^ Netherlands (thenextweb.com)^ New Zealand (theconversation.com)^ children (theconversation.com)^ gender gap (theconversation.com)^ Joe Kuis/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)^ Victoria’s A$26 billion North East Link (www.theage.com.au)^ an extra $3.2 billion (www.9news.com.au)^ National Active Transport Fund (minister.infrastructure.gov.au)^ sustainable urban development (www.weride.org.au)^ happier and more productive workers (theconversation.com)^ at their desks (journals.plos.org)^ benefits children (www.tandfonline.com)

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

The Times Features

What’s the difference between wholemeal and wholegrain bread? Not a whole lot

If you head to the shops to buy bread, you’ll face a variety of different options. But it can be hard to work out the difference between all the types on sale. For instance...

Expert Tips for Planning Home Electrical Upgrades in Australia

Home electrical systems in Australia are quite intricate and require careful handling. Safety and efficiency determine the functionality of these systems, and it's critical to ...

Floor Tiling: Choosing the Right Tiles for Every Room

Choosing floor tiles is more than just grabbing the first design that catches your eye at the showroom. You need to think about how the floor tiling option will fit into your spa...

Exploring Family Caravans: Your Ultimate Guide to Mobile Living and Travel

Australia is the land of vast horizons, spectacular coastlines, and a never-ending adventure. As landscapes and adventures vary across the country, Voyager will route you, carava...

Energy-Efficient Homes in Geelong: How a Local Electrician Can Help You Save Money

Rising energy bills don’t have to be the new normal. With Victoria’s energy prices up 25% last year, Geelong homeowners are fighting back and winning, by partnering with licenced...

Eating disorders don’t just affect teen girls. The risk may go up around pregnancy and menopause too

Eating disorders impact more than 1.1 million people in Australia[1], representing 4.5% of the population. These disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and...

Times Magazine

The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Marketing

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumer attention. Digital signage has emerged as a powerful solution, offering dynamic and engaging content that attracts and retains customers. From retail stores to ...

Why Cloud Computing Is the Future of IT Infrastructure for Enterprises

Globally, cloud computing is changing the way business organizations manage their IT infrastructure. It offers cheap, flexible and scalable solutions. Cloud technologies are applied in organizations to facilitate procedures and optimize operation...

First Nations Writers Festival

The First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, continuing its mission to celebrate the voices, cultures and traditions of First Nations communities through literature, art and storytelling. Set to take ...

Improving Website Performance with a Cloud VPS

Websites represent the new mantra of success. One slow website may make escape for visitors along with income too. Therefore it's an extra offer to businesses seeking better performance with more scalability and, thus represents an added attracti...

Why You Should Choose Digital Printing for Your Next Project

In the rapidly evolving world of print media, digital printing has emerged as a cornerstone technology that revolutionises how businesses and creative professionals produce printed materials. Offering unparalleled flexibility, speed, and quality, d...

What to Look for When Booking an Event Space in Melbourne

Define your event needs early to streamline venue selection and ensure a good fit. Choose a well-located, accessible venue with good transport links and parking. Check for key amenities such as catering, AV equipment, and flexible seating. Pla...

LayBy Shopping