News

Bike planning needs a big boost, says transport expert

Media Release, Tuesday 14 October 2008

As thousands of workers prepare for National Ride to Work Day, the Director of the University of Melbourne’s GAMUT Centre, Prof. Nicholas Low, has called for effective bicycle planning to become a much higher priority for government and transport planners.

“The whole of metropolitan Melbourne needs to be included in effective bicycle planning. It’s time for Swanston Street, especially, to be properly planned to give safe access for people on bikes, and more space for people on foot. Buses and taxis must be removed from Swanston Street and a bike path must be provided along the street.”

The call comes on the eve of National Ride to Work Day, to be held across Australia tomorrow, with employees being encouraged to leave the car at home and get a bit of exercise on their way into work.

“Expenditure on bike infrastructure has to be seen in the perspective of billions of dollars spent annually on motorways. Expenditure on bicycle infrastructure will save lives and serious injuries as well as reduce greenhouse emissions from transport.”

“Provision for bikes must be made on trains, as it has worked successfully in some of European capital cities such as Copenhagen and throughout Switzerland.

“Bike paths must be connected in a network so that cyclists have the choice of movement around the network to get to their destinations quickly and safely. All bike paths must lead to destinations such as activity centres and railway stations, and secure bike parking is needed at destinations.”

Prof. Low says that bicycles need to be seen as an important mode of transport, and more than just an alternate method of recreation. The benefits, he says, could boost bike usage “up to European levels, as much as 30% of all trips.”

“In some places there may have to be some sacrifice of road space to bike use. But increasing bike use will also reduce traffic congestion.”

Prof. Low says a connected bicycle transport plan such as this should be completed within the next five years.