Two things every cyclist must do
With workers returning to workplaces across the country after a long hiatus working from home, many are considering cycling as an alternative to packed trams and trains or idling in traffic. Active transport, such as cycling has shown to have a positive effect on commuters physical and mental health. Cycling also has the positive effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of traffic on our roads.
Cycling infrastructure is vital to safe and enjoyable cycling in our cities. Local governments have a major role in ensuring cycling routes are available, maintained and meet the needs of cyclists. For local governments that do this well, their communities are more active and safe.
Are you considering cycling as your mode of transport this year? If so, here are two ways you can help shape a safe and enjoyable cycling experience in your area.
1. Join your community Bicycle User Group (BUG)
BUG’s have rich knowledge of the local area that when shared with local governments can be used to:
· improve infrastructure to encourage more people to cycle
· improve areas which pose a risk of injury to cyclists.
Join a local BUG by visiting your local government website, searching on social media or creating your own.
Local pedestrian and disability groups can be great allies of BUGs and can help put forward ideas to local governments that are comprehensive and mean all road users can use the network enjoyably and safely.
2. Share ideas for improving cycling infrastructure with your Local Government
Communities can share their ideas for improving cycling infrastructure by participating in community consultations for the Council Plan, annual budget, and other policies and strategies by making submissions, communicating with officers and talking with your local councillors. Actions for improving cycling infrastructure that you can discuss with your local government are:
Speed reductions – Cyclist safety significantly improves when speed limits are reduced. Someone has a 45 per cent chance of surviving if they are hit by a car travelling at 45km/h but at 30km/h the chance of survival increases to 90 per cent. (Bicycle Network)
Request your local government implement 40km/hr speed limits on all local roads and 30km/hr speed limits in activity centres and areas where there are known safety risks for cyclists.
Separated cycling lanes – Separated cycling lanes (sometimes called protected cycling lanes) make people safer by providing a barrier between motor vehicles and cyclists. One study in the US showed that separated cycling lanes reduced injury by 89%. Numerous studies also provide examples where separated cycling infrastructure increased trade for businesses in the area.
Request your local government trial separated cycling lanes to demonstrate the benefits for cyclists and the wider community. Priority should be given in and near major activity centres or as connections to the existing separated cycling network.
Road reallocation – Road reallocation improves cycling safety by providing a greater share of the road to cyclists and discouraging motor vehicle traffic and rat-running. Examples of road reallocation measures include introducing clearways, the closing of some local roads to through traffic and removal or modification of dangerous roundabouts.
Request your local government to implement several road reallocation measures to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety in your community.
Parking – Bicycle parking is essential to ensure bicycles don’t block footpaths and can be locked up in secure and convenient locations to incentivise cycling. In 2019 Moreland City Council set a target of installing 200 bicycle parking spots per annum while in the same year the Dutch city of Utrecht opened the world’s largest multi-storey bike parking facility with room for 12,500 bikes. Parklets that contain both bicycle parking and outdoor dining can be a great solution where footpath space is constrained.
Request your local government to set an annual target for the installation of bicycle parking.
Funding – Consistent funding of cycling infrastructure each year is vital to ensure the ongoing safety and success of any strategy. Moreland City Council passed a resolution in 2019 to fund their 10-year cycling and pedestrian infrastructure strategy at a minimum of $10 per capita every year for the next 10 years.
Request your local government set a minimum 2% of the budget or $10 per capita (whichever is higher) per annum on new cycling infrastructure.
Are you interested to learn more about engaging with local government? Download a copy of the Local Government Climate Emergency Toolkit here.