Cycling in Australia is a common form of transport, recreation and sport. Many Australians enjoy cycling because it improves their health and reduces road congestion and air pollution.[citation needed] The government has encouraged more people to start, with several state advertising campaigns aimed at increasing safety for those who choose to ride. There is a common perception that riding is a dangerous activity.[citation needed] While it is safer to walk, cycling is a safer method of transport than driving.[1] Cycling is less popular in Australia than in Europe, however cyclists make up one in forty road deaths and one in seven serious injuries.[2]
In 2020, 1.7 million bicycle were sold[3]
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Sydney cycling impressions
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Cycling in Perth (Australia)
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Cycling in Brisbane, Australia
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Cycling in Canberra (Australia)
Transcription
Sydney is and has long been a city designed for the car. This is not only very visible in main streets but it also becomes clear in details. Like the way small side streets and driveways cut through sidewalks. Forcing pedestrians to go up and down big curbs. It also becomes very clear from the time pedestrian lights are green. Exactly 7 seconds and then some time to finish the crossing. Cycling in this environment is tough. You need to be cycling fast and you have to be brave. People who cycle here are fast and able. And you have to be fearless to stand in traffic like this. But there are other cyclists too, people who like to cycle much more relaxed. On this beach boulevard people even cycle without a helmet. And the police doesn't seem to be bothered. People who want to ride in everyday clothes exist in the city too, but they often choose to ride on the sidewalks. For the not so fast and furious some cycling infrastructure has been designed. There are bypasses for larger junctions. But a dual system is usually not such a good idea, and if facilities are not good enough for all people cycling, they are simply not good enough. These facilities for slower riders are usually combined with facilities for pedestrians. Which doesn't seem to be such a good combination. You also find this combination at places where a filtered permeability was introduced. There are some bike lanes in Sydney. But bike lanes have disadvantages. They can be in a door zone, and cars can stop too close to them or even in them. Bus/Bike lanes give you bus/bike conflicts and they are dangerous. Bicycle signage seems okay and there seem to be sufficient parking racks too. I even saw some rental bikes. A better type of cycling infrastructure has been constructed recently. Separated tracks away from motor traffic. Even with specific bicycle traffic lights With sometimes also separate green phases for cyclists. This is clearly a step in the right direction. But the way junctions are handled could be better. Some of these paths still stop at junctions, so cyclists end up on the side walk. But luckily the development didn't stop there. This used to be a busy street, but Bourke Street was dramatically redesigned. And here all the details are right. Curbs make clear where every type of road user is supposed to be. Junctions with side streets are raised making it very clear who has priority here. And if that is not enough there are also road signs. Pretty planted areas make sight lines at a pedestrian crossing much clearer. And the street even has a free bicycle pump. This design is an improvement for all road users. You see people of all types cycling here. Even the faster typer of cyclists use this infrastructure. And some people feel so safe that they cycle without safety measures. Sydney plans to build more of this type of infrastructure. Could this change nature of the city? Because the car is still king in most places, with only very few exceptions. The number of pedestrians in some streets warrant a change. So it would be good to see less car-friendly and a more people-friendly Sydney.
History
Bicycles arrived in Australia in 1860s, and the sport was quickly adopted with touring and racing clubs forming.[4]
By the 1890s cycling was accessible to the middle class, and long distance cycle travelling was a fact of life for many sheep shearers and other agricultural labourers with migratory work.[5] The bicycle and swag travelled much of Australia on dusty dirt tracks, long before the automobile made its appearance. In the main, however, long distance cycling was a sport of endurance or was done out of necessity.
At the same time, racing became quite popular with the Austral Wheel Race beginning in 1887, and leading to the development of the Malvern Star cycling brand.[6] The first Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic, a long distance event, was held in October 1895, eight years before the first Tour de France.
Between 1990 and 1992 Australia become the first country to make wearing helmets compulsory, after a number of studies indicated that they reduced head injuries.[7] After their introduction, the overall number of riders decreased, mostly due to a decline in children riding to school. This has not conclusively shown to be due to mandatory helmet laws and may have followed pre-existing trends dating from the 1970s.[8][9][10]
Laws
Cyclists in every state are required to follow normal road rules, including using traffic lights correctly and observing give way and stop signs while riding on the road.
Cyclists in every state must wear helmets while in motion. In all states, cyclists must ride as close as practicable to the left side of the road when on a single lane road, however, cyclists may use any lane and does not have to keep to the left on a multi-lane road. All states require only one passenger per bicycle unless the bicycle is designed otherwise.
Bike users in Western Australia and Tasmania must use both hand signals, while in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory cyclists must signal when turning right but it's not compulsory when turning left.
Cyclist must have at least one hand on handle bars in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.
Cyclist may ride on standard footpaths in Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory. In Victoria cyclists can only ride on a footpath if they're under the age of 13 or supervising a child under 13, or have a disability which restrains them from being able to ride on the road.[12] In New South Wales cyclists can only ride on a footpath if they're under the age of 16 or supervising a child under 16. In Queensland cyclists can ride on any path as long as there isn't a sign stating otherwise.
Cyclists may ride in groups or bunches in all Australia States and territories, riding two abreast riders must be no more than 1.5 meters apart.[13]
Cyclists across Australia must follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers in regards to using mobile phones and consuming alcohol.
Cyclist also need to use a bike light when riding at night in Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]
Types of cycling
Recreational cycling
Many Australians ride a bike for recreation or commuting. In 2017, 1.4% of commuters cycled to work of which 75% were male. Most are concentrated in the flatter parts of major cities, close to the central business district.[21] In 2023, 15% of Australians ride a bike at least weekly, 24% at least monthly and 37% at least yearly.[22]
The National Cycling Strategy was tasked with doubling the number of people cycling from 2011 to 2016, which was not achieved. Demographic changes, and decreasing numbers of riders within capital cities accounted for most of the decrease.[23] Some of the decrease within NSW has been blamed on increased cycling fines implemented in 2016.[24]
The NCS has found that cycling was the most common in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory during 2015. Victoria and Queensland have decreased in participation between 2011 and 2015.[23]
Doubling the number of bike users has the potential[vague] to increase the safety for all riders by helping to make drivers more aware of bicycles on the road,[dubious ] and adding pressure to those who already cycle to obey the road rules.[dubious ] More bike users also has an economic benefit which is estimated in Australia to be $1.43 per kilometre for every person cycled.[citation needed]
Cycling as a sport
Australia hosts the Tour Down Under in January of every year; it is the first UCI World Tour event on the annual cycling calendar, and the only UCI World Tour in the southern hemisphere. Australians place strongly in cycling at the Olympic Games, UCI World Championships and other international events.
Australia has hosted the UCI Road World Championships, UCI Track Cycling World Championships and UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Most state capitals have an indoor velodrome.
Safety
Fatality data
In Australia, police report road fatalities to the State and Territory road safety authorities. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) then catalogues this data in the Australian Road Deaths Database (ARDD).[25]
| Year | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | NT | ACT | Australia | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33 | [26] |
| 2013 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 50 | [26] |
| 2014 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 45 | [26] |
| 2015 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 31 | [26] |
| 2016 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | [26] |
| 2017 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 39 | [26] |
| 2018 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 | [26] |
| 2019 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | [26] |
| 2020 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | [26] |
| 2021 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 40 | [26] |
List of bicycle fatalities in Australia
2023
Footscray and Dock Link Road, Melbourne, 2 February 2023
On 2 February 2023, Angus Collins (22 year old) was killed by a truck driver while cycling his bike. The incident occurred around 12:30pm at the corner of Footscray Road and Dock Link Road in Melbourne. The bike lane crosses an intersection where the bike lane is partially obscured by a 3 metre wide pillar.[27]
Contributing factors
The bicycle advocacy organisation BikeWest said that it was “likely” the cyclist and the truck driver had simultaneous green lights.[28] The Age newspaper reported that regular users of the road said the green lights are always simultaneous.[29]
The transport planning document VicRoads Guidance on Treating Pedestrian and Turning Vehicle Conflicts at Signalised Intersections already states that a "Fully Controlled" left turn is "appropriate" for a bicycle priority route. It states potential locations are "at intersections with a high number of turning heavy vehicles." A possible reason it wasn't implemented is the listed "consideration": "Where the left turn is fully controlled, the potential negative perception from drivers while waiting to turn at times when there are no pedestrians crossing."[30]
BikeWest president John Symons commented that it was disappointing lessons had not been learned from the "shockingly similar" fatality of Arzu Karakoc who was killed in 2017 by a truck turning left across her path.[29][31]
Aftermath
The Amy Gillet Foundation, a cycling advocacy and safety group, called for safer road infrastructure so that mistakes by drivers do no cause a pedestrian or cyclist to be killed.
Cycling organisations
National bodies
National sporting organisation
- AusCycling – the national sporting organisation recognised by the Australian Sports Commission, responsible for the administration of and promotion of the sport of cycling in Australia[32][33]
Other national bodies
- Audax Australia – an organisation that promotes long distance road cycling
- Better Streets – Australia's peak body for improving our streets
- Bicycle Network – Australia's largest cycling membership organisations (45,000 members, 2015)[34] with offices in Victoria and Tasmania.[35]
- Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand (CWANZ) – Australasian lead reference group for walking and bike riding on transport and recreation networks
- Rail Trails Australia/
- We Ride - The Australian Cycling Environmental and Health Foundation
State bodies
Foundations
Magazines
- Cyclist Australia/NZ Magazine - the thrill of the ride [42]
- Treadlie Magazine[43] - a magazine for bike lovers[44]
- Bicycling Australia Magazine[45] - a cycling magazine[46]
Awards
The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards, an initiative of the Cycling Promotion Fund, have been held annually since 2002.[47]
See also
- Australian Cyclists Party
- Bicycle helmets in Australia
- Ciombola, a bike frame company active between 1998 and 2005
- Cycling in New South Wales
- Cycling in Canberra
- Cycling in Sydney
- Cycling in Victoria
- Mountain biking in Australia
References
- ^ Arnold, Tony (December 2014). "Cycling safety in Australia". Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ Garrard, J (August 2010). "Cycling injuries in Australia: Road safety's blind spot?". Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Cycling contribution to Australian economy put at A$16.8 billion as bike sales ramp-up". 20 October 2021.
- ^ corporateName=National Museum of Australia; address=Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula. "National Museum of Australia - History". www.nma.gov.au.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "On your bike: The history of cycling in Sydney - PHA NSW & ACT". 7 May 2018.
- ^ "History of cycling in Australia". Australian Geographic. 24 May 2016.
- ^ Curnow, W. J. "Bicycle Helmets: A Scientific Evaluation" in Anton De Smet (2008). Transportation Accident Analysis and Prevention (PDF). Commack, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60456-288-0.
- ^ Garrard, Jan (17 October 2011). "Why aren't more kids cycling to school?". The Conversation.
- ^ http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:50591/bina856ed10-ec7b-48ad-aac8-a69c35d75384?view=true[bare URL PDF]
- ^ Robinson, D. L. (2006). "No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets". BMJ. 332 (7543): 722.2–725. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7543.722-a. PMC 1410838. PMID 16565131.
- ^ Munro, Cameron (July 2015). "National Cycling Participation Survey 2015". Australian Bicycle Council.
- ^ "Bicycle road rules". 28 July 2021.
- ^ "ROAD TRANSPORT (ROAD RULES) REGULATION 2017 - REG 151 Riding motorbike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other rider".
- ^ "Cycling in WA". Cycling in WA. Government of Western Australia. 5 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Centre for Road Safety". Staying Safe. Transport for NSW. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Road Safety Advisory Council". Bike riders. The Department of State Growth. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Cyclist road rules and safety". Cyclist road rules and safety. The Government of South Australia. 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Territory and Municipal Services". Road Rules. ACT Government. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "BicycleNT". NT road rules. BicycleNT. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Victoria Law Foundation". Bike Law. Monkii. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps". myaccount.news.com.au.
- ^ "National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey" (PDF). Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand.
- ^ a b "National Cycling Participation Survey 2017" (PDF). National Cycling Strategy 2011-2016.
- ^ "In response to a year of increased cycling fines | Bicycle NSW". 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Bike rider fatality report 2001–2020" (PDF). Bicycle Network. March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Road Trauma Australia 2021 statistical report" (PDF). Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics. 26 May 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne intersection where cyclist died 'a recipe for disaster' as charity seeks ban on left turns". ABC News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Timms, Hugo. "Angus Collins: Brunswick Cycling Club star killed on Footscray Rd, West Melbourne". News.com.au.
- ^ a b Waters, Cara (6 February 2023). "More cyclists could die at 'horrendous' intersection if nothing is changed, experts warn". The Age. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "TEM Vol 3 Part 217 VicRoads Guidance on Treating Pedestrian and Turning Vehicle Conflicts at Signalised Intersections". Vic Roads.
- ^ Pearson, Erin (9 October 2020). "'Failure to see': Calls for traffic signal changes ahead of inquest into cyclist's death". The Age. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Cycling Australia, Cycling Australia, Cycling Australia, archived from the original on 28 October 2013, retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ Cycling Australia, About Cycling Australia, Cycling Australia, archived from the original on 27 November 2013
- ^ "Bicycle Network". Bicycle Network. 2016.
- ^ Bicycle Network (2016). "Bicycle Network". Bicycle Network.
- ^ "Home". Bicycle NSW.
- ^ "Home". Bicycle Queensland.
- ^ "Home". Bike SA.
- ^ "West Cycle - our history". NCLS Research. West Cycle. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ Amy Gillett Foundation, Amy Gillett Foundation: Safe together, Amy Gillett Foundation, retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ Amy Gillett Foundation, About AGF, Amy Gillett Foundation, archived from the original on 2 May 2013
- ^ Cyclist Magazine, Cyclist Magazine, Citrus Media, retrieved 20 November 2019
- ^ Treadlie Magazine, Treadlie magazine, Green Press P/L, retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ Treadlie Magazine, About Us, Green Press P/L, archived from the original on 27 November 2013
- ^ Bicycling Australia Magazine, Bicycling Australia, Lake Wangary Publishing Co, retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ Bicycling Australia Magazine, Welcome to Bicycling Australia, Lake Wangary Publishing Co, archived from the original on 23 August 2013
- ^ Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards, Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards booklets, Cycling Promotion Fund, archived from the original on 27 July 2013
References and further reading
- Cycling Promotion Fund, Bicycle Sales 2009 (PDF), Cycling Promotion Fund, archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015, retrieved 27 November 2013
- NSW Government, Bicycle Information for New South Wales, NSW Government, archived from the original on 21 November 2013, retrieved 27 November 2013
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This page was last edited on 14 February 2024, at 00:47