Bicycle Network is calling for 5% of the Victorian transport budget to be dedicated to developing the Strategic Cycling Corridors across Greater Melbourne and the regions.
The Strategic Cycling Corridors were developed by the Victorian Government and constitute a network of essential routes that connect key destinations across the state. They would help connect people to work, education, public transport, shops and other facilities.
However, most of them have not been built and the majority of significant cycleways over the past decade have been funded not by the transport budget but as part of Major Road and Level Crossing Projects.
There is no dedicated budget for building the SCC network, even though the Victorian Government wants to get more people riding, with a target of having 25% of all trips be active by 2030.
What's more, people are keen to ride. Roughly 75% of Victorians report being interested in riding, with the biggest barrier to uptake being a lack of protected infrastructure.
In association with almost 30 bicycle user groups, Streets Alive communities and other grassroots organisations, Bicycle Network is calling on the state government to commit 5% of the transport budget to funding the Strategic Cycling Corridors and make it easier for Victorians to ride.
Historically, 5% of the transport budget has equated to between $50 million and $60 million, which aligns with Infrastructure Victoria's recommendation that $500 million to $660 million be spent over 10 years to building Strategic Cycling Corridors across the state.
Why is it important to get more people riding?
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Health: Just over one-third of Victorian adults get the recommended 150 minutes or more per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Riding a bike regularly helps address this, with cycling shown to improve heart health, lower diabetes diagnosis rates, effectively manage Parkinson's symptoms, lower the risk of dementia and alleviate depression, stress and anxiety.
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Transport accessibility: The Strategic Cycling Corridors would make cycling a more viable transport option for all Victorians, connect people to key facilities and public transport, and give the elderly, disabled and those on lower incomes greater freedom of movement. This is particularly key at a time when rising fuel costs are limiting transport accessibility.
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Climate response: The transport sector contributes 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria, with the state government estimating that 1.2 million private vehicle trips daily need to be shifted to walking or riding to meet the goal of 25% of all trips made by active transport by 2030. Building the Strategic Cycling Corridors would help Victorians make the switch, particularly given that the majority of private vehicle trips are under 5 kilometres — an easily cycled distance.
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Return on investment: Strategic Cycling Corridors are comparatively cheap infrastructure for the government to build, and for every dollar spent, safe cycling corridors deliver between $2.40 and $3.40 in benefits and up to $4 when delivered as a network. Research shows that Australia-wide, the cycling economy provides around $954 million in health and social benefits.
"Delivering clear health, economic, social and environmental benefits, and clearly called for by the Victorian community, the Strategic Cycling Corridors should be a priority," said Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack.
"A 5% commitment of the transport budget would help make these benefits a reality sooner, and they have never been so badly needed.
"We urge the state government to prioritise this critical infrastructure and position themselves as active transport leaders. The time to act is now."
You can find more information about the Strategic Cycling Corridors campaign at https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-advocacy/strategic-cycling-corridor/.
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