Nearly 30 per cent of WA locals say there aren’t enough safe cycling routes across the state, which is preventing them from choosing to cycle for short trips.
RAC’s recent Active Travel survey, which received more than 700 responses, also found four in 10 people are hesitant to cycle more due to a fear of sharing the road with motorists.
A quarter of respondents who cycle regularly said sharing the road with cars is “extremely unsafe” and nearly 10 per cent felt the same about riding in designated painted cycle lanes.
With WA Bike Month now in full swing, RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said it was an important opportunity to highlight the need for improved cycling infrastructure.
“Many in Perth rely heavily on cars to get to work, the shops or to simply go about their daily lives,” Mr Golsby said.
“Around 4.2 million private car trips are taken in Perth every day, and more than half are less than five kilometres.
“We need to see governments prioritise initiatives that make it safer and easier to walk or ride instead of drive, including more funding for better cycling infrastructure across WA.
“This would help relieve traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, reduce serious crashes and create better-connected communities.”
Most respondents said they cycle mainly for exercise and leisure, with only 14 per cent biking to workplaces or study locations.
More than 30 per cent of members identified distance as a barrier for cycling because it was too far to travel where they needed to go.
“Cycling is an important mode of transport which, with the right level of support from governments, could be more affordable and convenient than the car for many Perth residents,” Mr Golsby said.
Media contact: RAC media 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
