Every day, more than 6 million trips shorter than 5 km are driven in Greater Sydney, over 2 million of these being less than 2 km. The cycling participation rate for Greater Sydney lags behind other Australian cities, but around 70 per cent of people in NSW report they would cycle more if it was made safer and more convenient.
Improving cycling infrastructure and uptake can provide significant health and quality of life benefits while relieving pressure on the transport network. Cars and light vehicles are responsible for more than 60 per cent of the Transport sector emissions in NSW. Alternatives to short car trips help manage congestion and contribute to NSW achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Strategic Fit
Active transport is an identified priority at all government levels. Increasing active transport journeys supports objectives including community accessibility, decarbonisation and road network efficiency. The 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan recommended prioritising and accelerating investment in active travel.
Societal Impact
Safe and connected cycling infrastructure helps provide people with greater travel options. As more people take up cycling, there are significant health benefits, vehicle operating cost savings and reductions in noxious fumes and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing car dependency for trips under 2km will support decarbonisation of the transport sector.
Deliverability
The NSW Government, in partnership with local government, has identified strategic cycleway corridor networks for the Eastern Harbour City, Central River City and Western Parkland City. Robust prioritisation, staging, governance and delivery of these networks will be critical to realising this opportunity. This will need to be underpinned by close collaboration with local governments.
Proponent to identify and analyse potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).
In identifying and analysing options, the proponent should continue to develop a program delivery and prioritisation approach. This should ensure there is an integrated program and pipeline of prioritised cycleways that is informed by program outcomes, land-use planning developments, demand in strategic corridors, delivery capacity and funding mechanisms.