Twice as many Sydneysiders are riding bikes for transport than the national average, according to a new National Cycling Participation Survey.

The 2013 Australian Bicycle Council report found some 31,600 City of Sydney residents get on a bike in a typical week.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney’s growing bike network was easing traffic on congested inner-city streets and taking pressure off public transport.

“This research validates our own independent bike counts across 100 Sydney intersections, which show the number of trips by bikes have more than doubled in the past three years,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Sydney’s cycleways are providing real alternatives for people to leave the car at home and help cut traffic congestion and pollution.”

“We know those numbers will keep climbing if people have safe and convenient options to support them – we just need to connect up the network.”

There has been a 113 per cent jump in bike trips since March 2010. The biggest growth of 118 per cent has been in the morning peak (6-9am), with a 108 per cent increase in the afternoon peak (4-7pm).

The National Cycling Participation Survey of close to 800 homes in the City of Sydney LGA during March also found:

  • Almost one in five residents (19 per cent) ride a bike each week, up from 14 per cent in 2011 and higher than the rest of Sydney, which averages 16 per cent;
  • 40 per cent of households have bikes, up from 35 per cent two years ago;
  • 22 per cent of males and 16 per cent of females ride in a typical week;
  • The number of female cyclists aged 30-49 has almost doubled and there’s been a sharp increase in the over 50s age group;
  • 75 per cent of riders said they felt comfortable or neutral about riding in Sydney and 63 per cent felt conditions have improved in the last year;
  • 63 per cent of riders felt that riding conditions had improved over the past 12 months;
  • When asked what the City of Sydney should do to encourage bike riding, over 77 per cent of residents want more on-road bicycle lanes, off-road paths and cycleways.

“You only have to look at the worldwide bike boom in London, New York, Paris, Barcelona and Melbourne to realise bikes are a real transport option when the infrastructure is there – and more riders will help ease traffic congestion and pressure on public transport,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Connecting up the bike network will help the NSW Government meet its target of doubling local and district bike trips by 2016.”

Infrastructure Australia has listed the City of Sydney’s Inner Sydney Regional Bike Network project as an Early Stage project in the National Infrastructure Priority List – the first time a bicycle project has achieved that status.

The Inner Sydney Regional Bike Network (ISRBN) would give commuters a real and safe alternative to motorised transport. It is a is a radial and orbital network of 284 kilometres of high quality and safe cycleways and shared paths.

The network covers 15 council areas to provide a 10 kilometre catchment area into the city centre.  It was created by combining the existing bike plans of each council, with additional work done to fill the missing links and ensure connectivity across boundaries.

For more riding tips and information on Sydney’s bike network, visit sydneycycleways.net or like us on Facebook

 

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Bridges, phone 0434 320 768 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin 0477 310 149 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.