Walking and cycling access from a local government perspective : findings and policy implications

To achieve the economic and sustainability benefits of transport performance that comes with providing people with multiple transport choices, walking and cycling must be recognized and supported as viable and legitimate modes of transport. Policy is a critical tool to achieve this goal and good policy requires a sound evidence base. The paper describes one of several research projects conducted in 2007 by the Department of Transport in order to help inform policy that could support these outcomes. The research consisted of interviews with local government officers to obtain data on community walking and cycling needs from a local government perspective. The paper discusses the findings, which are categorised under 6 themes: 1. the state of walking and cycling networks across Victoria; 2. reasons for walking and cycling trips; 3. barriers to walking and cycling; 4. the need to integrate walking and cycling with public transport; 5. council interventions to increase walking and cycling; and 6. remaining challenges for Local and State Government. The paper describes how these findings informed the Victorian Cycling Strategy, released in March 2009. The objective of the Strategy is to support the recognition of cycling as a legitimate and viable transport choice and to increase cycling in the State.