Submission: Draft SA Cycling / Bike Riding Strategy
UFX Submission: 2022 – 2032 Cycling Strategy for South Australia
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Cycling Strategy for South Australia 2022-2032 (Strategy).
Urban Future Exchange (UFX) is a provocative and politically savvy social enterprise, leading progressive discussion in urban studies and related disciplines, in pursuit of an urban future for South Australia that is healthy, confident, equitable and sustainable.
Our membership is broad and balanced, and includes individuals and corporate associate members from the public, private, not-for-profit and academic sectors. Our members have qualifications and expertise in urban planning, law, design, industrial design, business, health, sustainability, industry and policy amongst many others. As such, UFX provides a unique and diverse view on South Australia’s urban and regional future.
We strongly support the vision and ambition for a cycling / bike riding strategy. In respect to the draft Strategy, UFX offers the following feedback:
1. The cycling / bike riding strategy should be a part of a comprehensive South Australian Integrated Movement Strategy. UFX understands that South Australia does not currently have an Integrated Movement Strategy. Similar to our submission on the South Australian Walking Strategy, it is hoped that this draft Strategy will further provide the impetus to develop one, and the priorities of this Strategy will help to lay its foundation.
2. We recommend the use of the term "riding" rather than "cycling" as it normalises riding as an activity for transport and recreation, not just sport and racing.
3. The percentage of South Australians that ride is very low. Bike riding needs to significantly increase if we are to increase society’s health and wellbeing, reduce congestion on our roads and limit greenhouse gas emissions. We strongly encourage the State Government set specific bike riding outcomes and targets that can be measured and met over the next 10 years.
4. In the Benefits section of the Strategy (p.6), there could be reference to the economic benefits of riding/cycling in urban environments, as documented in our Urban Update: Economic Benefits of Cycling in Urban Environments.
5. Language throughout the document insinuates that bike riding is scary and unsafe. This language should be reviewed. An example of this language is found in the Attitudes and Behaviours section (p.12), where survey responses have been presented on a scale of ‘fear’:
● Strong and fearless
● Enthused and confident
● Interested but concerned
● No way, no how.
6. The Strategy should be optimistic and proud of bike riding in all its forms and it should reinforce that bike riding is inherently a safe activity. Another example is on p. 29 with initiative 3.5 stating “Ensure cycling projects support the Road Safety Strategy vision (zero lives lost on our roads by 2050) by making cycling safer”. We recommend this is reworded to "“Ensure cycling projects support the Road Safety Strategy vision (zero lives lost on our roads by 2050) by making roads safer for bike riding". This is an important distinction to make, and by improving this language, we could incentivise more bike riding. Bike riding is a safe activity and, in reality, it is the way that road infrastructure is currently used that creates an unsafe environment for bike riding.
7. We already have reasonable bike riding infrastructure in Adelaide. However, too much of it is dedicated to vehicles. Small adjustments may generate significant improvements- e.g. changing timed bike lanes on main roads. Abolishing timed bike lanes so they are permanent bike lanes will significantly increase bike riding infrastructure with little expense or change required. Councils should be charged with the responsibility of working with local traders to find off street car parking solutions to ensure riding infrastructure is used for riding, not car parking.
We also recommend increasing dedicated separated bikeways that are affordable to install (and uninstall if they are unsuccessful) to encourage/enable a greater percentage of the community to ride bikes. An example of affordable, separated bikeways is on Hart Street, Glanville.
The UFX is also of the opinion that an east-west separated bikeway is required in the CBD, with a strong preference for this bikeway to be located on Flinders and Franklin Streets.
8. We support temporary road closures (particularly in the CBD and on the weekends) to activate the city and promote uptake and casual enjoyment of bike riding in our urban areas. Many other cities have similar events that are very successful.
9. We welcome initiatives that leverage the success of the Tour Down Under. Such initiatives could include a program of bike riding festivities and activations that could span the whole year.
10. We recommend an action that seeks to increase the manufacturing and assembly of bikes and bike parts in SA. Can we encourage a major bike manufacturer to relocate to SA? This could be a great employment generator and export opportunity for SA.
11. We encourage urban planners and engineers to continue to improve the design of roads to accommodate and incentivise riding. There is also a need for better integration and support for bike riding in the Planning and Design Code, particularly in master planning for new developments, bike storage and end of trip infrastructure.
13. It is noted that there is little consideration for day-to-day activities such as riding to the local shops and other small trips. We recommend calling this bike transport and clearly referencing it as a legitimate form of bike riding in the Strategy. This would then link to the provision of greater bike riding and storage infrastructure.
14. it’s important to recognise that bike riding is not just an inner city activity. Outer suburbs are somewhat neglected from having appropriate (or any) dedicated infrastructure. We think there is an opportunity to invest in areas where the greatest social and health benefits can be realised.
15. We also believe there is an opportunity to link bike riding infrastructure with other strategies, such as greening strategies, as this acknowledges that the change of behaviour required for many of these strategies are interrelated and it highlights the importance that modal shifts can play in mitigating and adapting to Climate Change.
16. Finally, we suggest the number of actions should be significantly reduced to ensure key stakeholders agree to, and are aligned to, the most important desired outcomes.
The UFX thanks all those involved in the development of the Strategy for the opportunity to make this submission. As a member-based organisation, this submission is a representation of our members and we proudly provide this submission on their behalf.
If you would like to further discuss this submission or any other matter, please don’t hesitate to contact the UFX.