THE POTENTIAL FOR BIKE- RAIL INTEGRATION AS A MEANS OF EASING TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN PERTH

This paper considers the potential for dual mode bike/rail transportation in the Perth metropolitan region. It suggests that there are many advantages to the use of bikes and trains and that there are a range of deterrents which are currently acting against a more balanced transport system. Analysis of census data shows that 41 per cent of the population of the Perth metropolitan region live within 10 minutes (3.2 kms) cycling distance of a railway station. A total of 178,473 work journeys originated in Perth's bike/rail catchment region in 1981. If, with appropriate encouragement for cyclists, 12 per cent of those journeys, currently made by singly occupied cars, could be converted to bike/rail journeys then there would be an increase of around 20,000 rail trips each day. This is an increase of 60 per cent in rail patronage and petrol savings in the order of 26,000 litres/day or 1.3 per cent of Perth's average consumption. Bike/rail integration could be facilitated in the following ways: (I) improvement of facilities for security of bicycles against theft and wet weather at stations. (II) reviewing fare structure for carriage of bicycles on trains, with a view to encouragement of carriage during off-peak periods. (III) active marketing of bike/rail facilities eg, bike carriage provisions, fares and storage facilities. (TRRL)