Catching up on biking down under

During my fellowship I have had the opportunity to look at bike infrastructure in no less than six cities and I am pleased to report Philadelphia is doing very well compared to our counterparts in Australia and Taiwan. I'll write about cycling in Taiwan in a separate post, for now let me catch you up on what I saw down under. Philadelphia has three important advantages when it comes to cycling as means of transportation: we’re a largely flat city, we have dense residential areas within two miles of our job hubs in Center City and University City, and our often narrow streets (even those without bike lanes) are more comfortable to ride on than the wide expanses and fast move vehicles that make up streets in many other part of the world.

Australian cities are working to increase the rates of cycling for the same mix of reasons we are: cycling is a low impact form of transportation that when it replaces auto trips both improves air quality and reduces congestion and cycling is a great way for citizens to become more physically active. Australia is facing an obesity epidemic not so different from ours and has come to the realization that how we design and operate our communities can impact how we live.  Shocking, I know. 

There are also two important differences between Philadelphia and Australia. Transportation officials in Philadelphia are not so much working to spur demand for cycling, but working to keep up with demand. Australia has a mandatory helmet law. I always wear a helmet. After an accident more than a decade ago that put a crack straight though my helmet I have been known to harass friends who don’t wear one. That said, I don’t think mandatory helmet make a lot of sense and the Dutch even argue against helmet wearing all together. Speaking of helmets, if you haven’t see the invisible helmet, check this video out. 

The mandatory helmet laws have also been blamed as a key inhibitor to the success of bike share programs in Australia.  Both Brisbane’s bike share and Melbourne’s bike share are known to be struggling and requiring operating subsidies.  This is in contrast to North American and European bike share programs that have largely succeed without operating subsidies.   In Brisbane, I think the main inhibitor; however is the lack of good cycling infrastructure. There are few bike lanes (though some great trails) and the wide streets lead to high speed traffic.  

Peacefully sharing the space in Melbourne

Brisbane bike share system struggles to attract riders

Melbourne by contrast has the infrastructure and cyclists including those on bike share are a common site.  The Royal Automotive Club of Victoria (like the AAA of Victoria), who operates the bike share program, is addressing the helmet program by making them available at 7-11s for just AUS$5. RACV is a major advocate of multi-modal investments and provides road side assistance for bikes. As Brian Negus, RACV's policy director told me, "Our members don't just travel by car and we have interests in representing all their transportation needs."

Sydney has made considerable efforts to expand its bike lane network, but the political response last May from state elected officials was to require the City to get approval for any and all transportation related decisions. Though, perhaps to the states chagrin, the committee set up to issue the approvals just endorsed more bike lanes. 

Here are some links to bike plan documents for Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. We in Philadelphia and the US may be doing well on cycling infrastructure, but after looking at some of these sites I think you’ll agree our  government websites could use some upgrades.

Sydney Cycling Strategy - http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/parkingandtransport/cycling/CycleStrategyAndActionPlan.asp

New South Wales Cycling Information - http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/

Brisbane - http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/sports-and-leisure/cycling/index.htm

Queensland Cycle Network Program - http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling/Cycle-network-program.aspx

Adelaide Bike Action Plan - http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/development/major-projects/bicycle-action-plan/