Results of the community cycling questionnaire and forums on cycling held by Leichhardt Council:
700 questionnaire responses were received, about equally from male and female. Most common age group or responders was 31-49.
Main outcomes:
Average distance traveled in Leichhardtto shops was less than 2 km, to rail or bus was 1 km, to schools was 4 km.
Most popular reasons for cycling are recreation, fitness and commuting .
Provision of infrastructure such as cycle lanes and parking and improving connectivity and physical condition of cycleways and roads would encourage cycling more often.
The main thing people dislike about cycling in Leichhardt is the heavy traffic and careless or inconsiderate drivers. There is a perceived safety risk for cyclists for many people.
Education of motorists and cyclists is seen as an important need.
The Workshops resulted in some more definite conclusions:
Named bicycle routes with destination details are important, and probably better than numbered routes.
A number of priority Problem Locations were identified, including Victoria Rd footpath (RTA Regional Route), Norton St, Hawthorne Canal (Parramatta Rd underpass), Catherine St at the City West Link, Balmain Rd, and Darling St.
Traffic Management measures often caused problems for cyclists.
On the behavioural side, campaigns targeted at a Precinct or area such as Balmain might be more useful than a general campaign across the LGA. Campaigns might be based around some infrastructure improvement in the Bike Strategy. Campaigns on car door opening, speed limits, mutual respect between drivers and cyclists, commuting advice, were suggested.
Results of School surveys:
None of the 10 schools in the are who responded had Bike Policies.
7 out of 10 schools allowed students to cycle to school.
Most had some sort of bicycle parking but most were of limited capacity.
6 out of 10 noted that access for bicyclists was an issue.
9 out of 10 schools taught Sustainable Transport or Environmental topics
4 schools were not aware of the CARES bicycle education facility at St Peters.
Safe cycle routes and infrastructure was highlighted as most important issues if cycling was to be encouraged.
Full details of responses can be found in the Appendices to the Bike Strategy when it is released for comment in March or April 2006, and finally approved in about May 2006.
If you have any points to add please email LBUG (see home page for contact details).