The numbers for the Super Tuesday bike count have been crunched and the outcome is disappointing but expected, Cycling South Chair Bill Harvey said today.
“The number of people commuting into Hobart in the morning seems to have flatlined,” Councillor Harvey said.
“We know that unless we are creating or improving cycling routes then there is little incentive for more people to ride.
“Hobart doesn’t have an integrated cycling network yet. None of the cycling routes are complete or join up with each other, and the gaps are off-putting for unconfident riders.
“Until these gaps are addressed and increased separation from motor vehicles is provided to make it more comfortable to ride, for many people, cycling to work or for transport is not an option.
“The good news is that there is a continued increase in the number of women riding over time and people riding in to work means fewer cars on the road.
“We really need to get to work improving the cycling connections into Hobart if we’re going to get more people out of cars to ease traffic congestion
“Cycling South has supported the Tasmanian Bicycle Council’s separated cycleways plan for Hobart’s city centre because it aims to do just that,” Councillor Harvey said.
Bicycle Network Tasmania volunteers count the bikes every year as part of Super Tuesday.
“While there have been a few tweaks, there hasn’t been much of a change to Hobart’s bike network over the past few years,” Public Affairs Manager Alison Hetherington said.
“We need to add to the network with cycleways that are more comfortable to ride so more people have the choice to ride to work.
“We’d like to see more on-road lanes separated from traffic to join up the three main cycling corridors into the city centre.
“The Tasmanian Bicycle Council plan for a cycleways network through the city would allow people to get to their final destinations without having to battle traffic-clogged streets.
“For people who live near paths like the Intercity Cycleway and Hobart Rivulet, being able to finish their journey on separated cycleways may be all they need to decide to ride,” Ms Hetherington said.
Cycling South is a committee of the greater Hobart councils and is dedicated to improving cycling connections across the city.
Super Tuesday facts & figures
7–9 am, Tuesday 5 March 2019
weather: fine, top of 21 degrees, at 9 am was 15.4 degrees.
55 sites counted in Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy, and Kingborough council areas
Busiest count site: 306 riders,
Intercity Cycleway at the Tasman Bridge.
First year count site: 70 riders
Macquarie Point path and Evans Street intersection (pictured).
Female riders: 35%
The percentage of women riding has been steadily increasing over the past 5 years. Women are a good indicator of the quality of cycling routes as they tend to opt for low-stress routes that offer a higher level of comfort. It’s a good sign when more women are riding.
There are certain intersections where the percentage of female riders is higher:
- Taroona Primary School & Channel Hwy - 42%
- Liverpool & Campbell streets (roundabout underpass) - 42%
- Argyle & Burnett streets - 41%
- Collins & Molle streets (end Rivulet path) - 40%