With most progressive cities around the world investing in Active Travel-led recovery strategies, the South Australian Government has been caught on-the-hop by its lack of vision for walking and cycling – we currently have no Walking & Cycling Plan (and haven’t had one since 2010!)
In the face of the Covid downturn over the past 6 months, there have been a rash of articles in the world’s press about the potential contribution of new cycling infrastructure to continued social and economic prosperity – here’s one that offers a Call For Action we should all consider…
Cycling and walking can help drive Australia’s recovery – but not with less than 2% of transport budgets.
The Conversation. July 23rd, 2020. Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle, Trevor Shilton, Curtin University.
“What do bike paths and walk-friendly streets have to do with economic recovery from a pandemic-induced recession? How could removing a car parking space benefit a local business? Instead of considering such questions, building roads for cars is often seen as the obvious answer to “kick-start” the economy.
In this article, we explain how cycling and walking infrastructure is a better investment for recovery. Every kilometre walked or cycled has an economic benefit by reducing traffic congestion and vehicle operating costs, improving health and the environment, and saving on infrastructure spending. It’s estimated every dollar invested in cycling infrastructure may reap up to five dollars’ worth of benefits. In Australia, however, walking and cycling only receive between 0.1% and 2% of transport budgets…”
