Cycling at the centre: using evidence to guide investment in active transport

Transport planners, traffic engineers, policy makers and cyclists themselves need to adopt the same principles and language used to rationalise, and secure funding for, investment in other transport modes. Plans for bicycle infrastructure must demonstrate its utility using replicable and transparent monitoring strategies to derive cycling data. Concerted action to identify and fill data gaps is a critical prerequisite for the justification of bicycle infrastructure investment. This was recognised at an early stage in the program of work to inform a new and whole-of-government NSW BikePlan, when a comprehensive investigation of available NSW cycling data was undertaken. The resulting report covered cycling infrastructure, bicycle ownership, levels of cycling and safety outcomes. The data indicates low rates of cycling in NSW and Sydney compared to other Australian states, territories and capital cities. A benchmark based on the Australian mainland states' mode share for cycling to work was developed. This has been embraced by the NSW Government as a target for bicycle policy and planning. This paper outlines options for the construction of an evidence base on which to found the future development of infrastructure and programs for increasing cycling. The paper shows how, by bringing bicycle planning to the centre of transport planning, cycling can become a realistic and safe travel option for more short trips.