Section 5: Active travel

A brief introduction of active travel at a non-technical level. This submission is not about the technical aspects of active travel, which is well documented in the ACT Active Travel Key Documents. Combined with Austroads Standards there is enough there to build a good network. We are not failing because of a lack of standards. Rather the problem lies elsewhere.

Overview of Active Travel Key Documents

Active travel is not in one document but many. This makes it confusing to know where to find something. The ACT Government has a system and understanding it helps locate the key documents.

Woden light rail terminus: no bike paths

In Europe, one common way to get to the nearest light rail stop is with the bike. All you need is a path, dedicated bike parking area when you get there. Woden light rail terminus won’t offer any of that.

Section 5.3 Cycle highways

The idea of “cycle highway” needs to be located within the Active Travel Framework, so that it is not disconnected from the planning mechanism in the ACT.

Cycle highways: Planning for Active Travel in the ACT

The relevant text for cycle highways is scattered throughout a number of key documents. Here, the relevant extracts from Planning for Active Travel in the ACT (PATACT) are gathered together in one place.

Cycle highways: Active Travel Facilities Design MIS05

The relevant text for cycle highways is scattered throughout a number of key documents. Here, the relevant extracts from Active Travel Facilities Design MIS05 are gathered together in one place.

Active travel visual dictionary

Active travel contains an abundance of new terms. Here are some of the more common ones. The definitions are from the Active Travel Facilities Design – Municipal Infrastructure Standards 05 (MIS05).

CBR Cycle Route wayfinding signage

CBR Cycle Routes are motorways for cyclists, or at least that is the intent. You would know them as you would have ridden on one. Finally, they are getting wayfinding signage. It makes a difference.

Section 2.1 The UK approach to network design

We cannot make a baby without a baby-making machine.

Section 5.2 CBR Cycle Routes

Building a network of good cycle paths is not easy, but the ACT Government has a plan.