The City of Sydney Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2017 is Council’s commitment to making cycling as attractive a choice of transport as walking or using public transport. The strategy outlines the infrastructure needed to ensure a safer and more comfortable cycling environment and the social initiatives that will encourage more people to cycle. It is based on comprehensive analysis of cycling issues prepared by consultants for the City with significant input sought from the community during its preparation.

Aims

The City aims to make cycling an equal transport choice for residents, workers and visitors by 2017. Specific aims of the strategy are:

• creating and maintaining a comfortable and bicycle friendly environment in Sydney to encourage more residents, visitors and workers onto bicycles;
• improving cycling safety
• promoting the benefits of cycling; and
• increasing the number of trips made by bicycle in Sydney.

Targets

• Increase the number of bicycle trips made in the City of Sydney, as a percentage of total trips, from less than 2% in 2006 to 5% by 2011, and to 10% by 2016;
• Increase the number of bicycle trips between 2 and 20 km made in the City of Sydney, as a percentage of total trips to 20% by 2016;
• Achieve a minimum 80% good level of confidence and comfort for cyclists that ride in the City of Sydney by 2016; and
• Measure and monitor the number of collisions and injuries involving bicycles and achieve a reduction in the number of incidents.

Key benefits

Key benefits provided through this plan are:

• reduced road costs;
• reduced overcrowding on public transport;
• lower greenhouse gas emissions;
• lower air pollution;
• reduced accidents; and,
• reduced health costs from increasing physical activity

Creation of Report

In 2007, the City of Sydney commissioned independent research to look into the attitudes of Sydneysiders to cycling and to find out how people travel into and around the local government area. A research agency conducted an internet survey of 1,150 people and then undertook a series of focus groups to look in-depth at the issues raised. This research was repeated in November 2009. Copies of both reports are available to the upper right, along with a report prepared by the Innovation Exchange.

The findings of the 2007 research were used to help shape the Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007 – 2017.  The views given are being taken into account when designing cycle paths and when developing resources and information about cycling for residents and city workers.

The key findings of the 2007 research are as follows:

General

• 40% of current cyclists are male, only 13% are female
• Of potential cyclists, 43% are aged 18-24 and 40% are aged 25 to 34.  The highest number of non-cyclists was in the 45-50 age groups
• 42% of students are potential cyclists (29% of students are cyclists)
• Cyclists make most of their current trips for physical fitness/leisure or to travel to work; only 8% are a member of a cycling club or group and 61% have been riding for 5 years or less 
• The top reason for not cycling (generally) is simply not owning a bicycle, with safety concerns in second place
• Reasons for not cycling in the CBD centre around 1) safety, 2) provisions for cyclists and 3) not wanting to be ‘sweaty when I get to my destination’
• Dedicated lanes/off road routes, increased driver awareness and bicycle parking/lockers would encourage respondents to cycle more regularly
• An open-ended question was also asked about the main benefits of cycling.  73% cited ‘health and fitness’ and 27% to help safeguard the environment.

Potential cyclists

• These are a younger group (18 to 34 year olds) with a slight female bias, living in the Sydney LGA (or inner west or lower north shore) and working outside the CBD
• Many are students or work in the hospitality, tourism, media and creative industries
• Safety concerns, high levels of traffic and lack of cycling infrastructure are the current barriers to them cycling
• Dedicated bike lanes/off road routes and a perceived increase in driver awareness and safety would help encourage them to cycle
• Fitness and leisure is the main motivator for cycling

Geography

• There is little correlation between cycling and distance to work.  The average distance that cyclists travel is 3km, but 20% ride between 5 and 10km for work.
• Regular cyclists tend to live in the eastern suburbs, with a pocket in the inner western suburbs and lower north shore.