Paralysis through analysis: we have enough data, we know what we need to do, we are just not doing it. Policy work in the ACT has gone around in circles since 2004. The recommendations of the ACT Transport strategies and consults reports are all too often never implemented – it is not for lack of reports. Here is the history of cycling transport policy in the ACT.
ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan is attached to the end of this article.
History of ACT Transport policy since 2004
ACT Transport does enough studies. ACT Transport appear to be very good at that. The slow pace of improvement of our cycling infrastructure in the ACT would indicate the that we have a problem translating what we know into actions.
| Year | Report |
| 2004 | Sustainable Transport Plan 2004 |
| 2007 | Trunk cycling network from the Commuter Cycling Network Study 2007 |
| 2008 | Integrated Transport Framework 2008 |
| 2011 | National Cycling Strategy 2011-2016 |
| 2012 | ACT Planning Strategy 2012 |
| 2012 | Background review and analysis of existing cycle network, ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan, Technical Report, 6 August 2012 |
| 2012 | Transport for Canberra Policy 2012-2031 |
| 2014 | ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan, Final Report, 26 September 2014 |
| 2014 | Walking and Cycling feasibility and options report AECOM 2014 |
| 2015 | Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel, May 2015 |
| 2018 | ACT Planning Strategy 2018 |
| 2019 | Moving Canberra 2019-2045 Integrated Transport Strategy |
| 2020 | ACT Transport Strategy 2020 |
ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan 2014
The table above was compiled in part from the SMEC, ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan 2014 (26 September 2014, 5-6), obtained through TCCS FOI 20-030. Here is a brief introduction.
2.1 Existing Transport Planning Assessment
2.1.1 National and Local Strategy and Policy Plans
National Cycling Strategy 2011-2016
The National Cycling Strategy sets out a series of actions that are intended to result in doubling the number of people cycling in Australia over the next five years.
This Strategy promotes the idea that bicycles are considered to impose 95% less traffic congestion than an average car. Many people tend to overestimate travel times by bicycle, and when travel time is measured door to door, distances up to 5km on congested roads are often quicker on bicycle than in a motor vehicle. The Strategy highlights that increased cycling offers benefits to both society and individuals, and is a more sustainable mode of transport and provides an outline for priorities and objectives to meet the five year objective.
ACT Planning Strategy 2012
The ACT Planning Strategy 2012 brings together the Canberra Spatial Plan and Sustainable Transport Plan to form the transitional planning strategy for the ACT. This strategy informs decisions on the land uses, metropolitan structure, and growth of Canberra.
There are two primary strategies from this strategy that are relevant to this cycle network feasibility plan.
Strategy 2 identifies improving everyone’s mobility and creating more choices in travel by integrating investment in Canberra’s transport networks with the land uses it serves. This will be done through augmenting the commuter cycle network and facilities.
Strategy 5 identifies building the capacity for everyone to participate in community life by improving the quality of the public realm, access to services and information. This will be accomplished by encouraging people to walk or cycle to schools, shops or community halls as the trip will be safe and pleasant. Canberra’s neighbourhood planning principles placed these services at the heart of every suburb.
Additionally, there are three principles in the ACT Planning Strategy 2012 that need to be considered as part of this cycle network plan as well:
– Principle 1: Provide for accessible and pleasant places to live, work and play
– Principle 2: Design for community resilience and the lowering of natural resource consumption.
– Principle 3: Provide choice in safe convenient modes of travel.Transport for Canberra Policy 2012-2031
The actions in Transport for Canberra will help create a more sustainable city. This will be implemented through the following:
– Provision of a variety of transportation choices for the Canberra community that provides safe, comfortable frequent and reliable public transport that connects with high quality walking and cycling networks.
– Encouraging mixed land uses to include a mix of retail, commerce and residential uses. Single-use districts make life less convenient to access local facilities, thereby forcing people to drive more frequently to destinations.
– Fostering walkable, compact and close knit neighbourhoods that offer opportunities for recreational walking and cycling on a convenient network of paths, as well as locations to walk or cycle to, whether it be the shops, transport, work or school. A compact, walkable neighbourhood benefits both business and safety and will help tip the choice towards active travel, particularly for shorter journeys.
– Promotion and education to encourage healthy and sustainable mode choices where possible.
– Continued improvements to the safety of all transport modes to reduce the number of accidents.
– Building on our existing community assets to focus on getting the most out of, and building on, the existing transport system.Transport for Canberra ideally wants Canberra to be a city where active travel is the easy choice, with more people of all ages, cycling and walking for work, school and a variety of other trips.
Integrated Transport Framework 2008
The need for creating the Integrated Transport Framework stems from the strong relationships between each of the components of the transport system that includes: roads, parking, public transport, cycling, walking and supporting infrastructure.
In addition to public transport, cycling and walking are key elements of integrated transport solutions. This framework builds upon the 2004 Masterplan covering the necessary infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, with a focus on establishing a network for use by commuting cyclists both on and off-road. An on road cycle policy has also been developed and will continue to be implemented over the coming years.
Sustainable Transport Plan 2004
The Sustainable Transport Plan, as part of the Canberra Spatial Plan, proposes intensification of the existing area creating an urban form that has shorter trips and encourages people to walk and cycle. It also encourages development at town centres and Civic and at activity nodes along transport corridors, which will support the development of public transport.
ACT Strategic Cycle Network Plan, 3002316, Revision No. 3b, 26 September 2014, 5-6. Source: FOI 20-030 ACT Strategic Cycling Network Plan August 2012
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