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WestCycle’s vision is that everyone has the opportunity to use a bicycle (or tricycle, or any personal wheeled device that is largely self-propelled) for all or part of their everyday journeys in Western Australia’s towns and cities, and that everyone understands (like we do) that more people cycling as part of their everyday journeys is good for the whole community.
Our vision is built on the principles that:
Streets are for everyone, no matter their age, ability, gender or background. · Streets in our cities and towns should prioritise safe, healthy, accessible, quiet, low-cost, and low-pollution modes of transport, like bike riding. With the right elements in place, cycling can be a regular mode of travel for most people’s daily journeys.
These are the seven elements that make up our vision of a cycling-friendly city or town.
1. Local streets meet people’s basic needs Local streets prioritise the basic needs of all people and in doing so make it more attractive for everyone to walk, cycle and spend time on the street[i].
This means that people using the street would find:
· The air is clean
· They feel relaxed
· There are things to see and do
· They feel safe
· People choose to walk and cycle
· The street isn’t too noisy
· There are places to stop and rest
· There is shade and shelter
· The street is easy to cross
· Everyone feels welcome.
When streets meet the above needs, everyone has the option of riding a bike.[ii],[iii],[iv],[v]
2. Local streets have slower speeds and less motorised traffic On local streets, traffic travels at low speeds and there is a low volume of motorised traffic. Local streets prioritise people using active transport.[vi]
3. Everything people need day-to-day is close by Homes, parks, shops, businesses, schools, health centres, day-care, and other services are all within easy cycling distance of each other. As a result, people have almost everything they need day-to-day close by.[vii]
4. There’s safe space for people to ride A network of wide, comfortable paths physically separate people on bikes from people on foot, e-rideables and motorised traffic. Bicycle paths are wide enough for two people to comfortably ride next to each other and have a conversation.
The network of paths makes it easy to travel from home to work, recreation, school and services, whether locally or longer distance. Bicycle paths are well lit and looked after, so they are always safe and pleasant to use.[viii],[ix]
5. Riding to the train or bus is easy For longer journeys, train and bus stations are always an easy bike ride away, so that everyone has a range of travel options available to them. Train and bus stations have secure bike parking available where taking a bike on public transport is either impossible or undesirable.[x]
6. There are safe and convenient places to park your bike All journeys end with safe, secure bicycle parking, whether the journey is for shopping, out for dinner, or to work for the day. Parking is in well-lit, public locations close to major destinations, and accommodates a range of bicycles, cargo-bikes, electric bikes and tricycles.
End-of-trip facilities are available for commuters. People living in accommodation with limited space can access publicly located bike parking that is protected from the weather in convenient, safe places.[xi]
7. It’s easy to connect with nature on your journey The network of bicycle paths gives everyone easy access to nature in parks, reserves and beaches. Plantings of locally appropriate species along streets and paths support the flourishing of urban wildlife and provide shade and shelter. [xii],[xiii]
[i] Healthy Streets (2022), https://www.healthystreets.com/
[ii] Arup and Sustrans (2019), Inclusive cycling in cities and towns, https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/promotional-materials/section/inclusive-cycling-in-cities-and-towns
[iii]Lusk, A. (2019) “Bike-friendly cities should be designed for everyone, not just for wealthy white cyclists”, The Conversation https://theconversation.com/bike-friendly-cities-should-be-designed-for-everyone-not-just-for-wealthy-white-cyclists-109485
[iv] Strong Towns podcast featuring an interview with Melody Hoffman, author of Bike Lanes are White Lanes: Bicycle Advocacy and Urban Planning https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/1/4/are-bike-lanes-white-lanes
[v] Doucet, B. & Mazumder, R. (2020) “COVID-19 cyclists: Expanding bike lane network can lead to more inclusive cities”, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/covid-19-cyclists-expanding-bike-lane-network-can-lead-to-more-inclusive-cities-144343
[vi] Mclaughlin, M., Beck, B., Brown, J., Sharkey, M. (2021) “Busted: 5 myths about 30km/h speed limits in Australia”, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/busted-5-myths-about-30km-h-speed-limits-in-australia-160547
[vii] Sisson, P. (2020) “What is a 15 minute city?”, City Monitor, https://citymonitor.ai/transport/pedestrians/what-is-a-15-minute-city
[viii] Pucher, J., & Buehler, R. (2008). Making cycling irresistible: Lessons from the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. Transport Reviews, 28(4), 495–528. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228351600_Making_Cycling_Irresistible_Lessons_from_The_Netherlands_Denmark_and_Germany
[ix] Beck, B. (2022) “3 in 4 people want to ride a bike but are put off by lack of safe lanes”, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/3-in-4-people-want-to-ride-a-bike-but-are-put-off-by-lack-of-safe-lanes-172868
[x] Kager, R., & Harms, L. (2017) “Synergies from improved bicycle-transit integration: Towards an integrated urban mobility system”, International Transport Forum https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/improved-cycling-transit-integration-synergies.pdf
[xi] Pucher, J., & Buehler, R. (2008). Making cycling irresistible: Lessons from the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. Transport Reviews, 28(4), 495–528. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228351600_Making_Cycling_Irresistible_Lessons_from_The_Netherlands_Denmark_and_Germany
[xii] Rachele, J., Rozek, J., Villanueva, K., Giles-Corti, B. (2022) “Evidence supporting the health benefits of Movement Networks”, The Heart Foundation https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/design-features/movement-networks/evidence
[xiii] Lusk, A., Filho, D., Dobbert, L. (2020) “Pedestrian and cyclist preferences for tree locations by sidewalks and cycle tracks and associated benefits: Worldwide implications from a study in Boston, MA”, Cities, 106 (2020) 102111, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026427511731329X
