By Emma Young
The cycle network the government plans to take the pressure off Perth’s roads could take more than 100 years to complete at its current rate, new modelling shows.
Advocacy body WestCycle has released its calculations as part of its election bid for the government to reallocate some of its road funding to complete the network in a decade.
WA’s long-term cycle network, with 12 strategies – one for Perth-Peel and the rest for regional areas – is what the Department of Transport “aspires” to use to provide “additional transport options” for notoriously car-dependent WA.
Currently, only 30 per cent of the Perth-Peel network is complete and many newer and outer areas, particularly in the Perth Hills, have few adequate cycling routes, though some well established, affluent inner ring suburbs are better served.
The state electorates that come off best for “primary” cycling routes – connecting major destinations, for longer commuting and recreational rides – include Bassendean, Bateman, Cannington, Kingsley, Maylands, Mindarie, Morley, Perth, Scarborough, South Perth, Swan Hills and Victoria Park. A good primary route would include full physical separation between traffic and bikes.
Those worst off included Butler, Darling Range, Kalamunda, Landsdale, Midland, Mount Lawley, Murray-Wellington, Southern River and Wanneroo. A bad primary route might be a painted line on a narrow shoulder of a busy high-speed road.
The overall picture for secondary routes – linking shops, universities, employment centres and sports facilities – was less positive, with most electorates dominated by the categories deemed “nonexistent” or “needing significant improvement”.
The worst performers for secondary routes included Balcatta, Bassendean, Bateman, Butler, Cockburn, Darling Range, Forrestfield, Kalamunda, Landsdale, Maylands, Morley, Mount Lawley, Murray-Wellington, Oakford, Scarborough, Thornlie and Wanneroo. A bad secondary route might include roundabouts or other pinch points or conflict zones where bikes and cars must interact at speed.
While their overall profiles were still quite poor, the best performers for secondary routes included Cannington, Churchlands, Dawesville, Fremantle, Joondalup, Kingsley, Perth, South Perth and Victoria Park. A good secondary route would include physical separation or be a local road with low speed, low-volume traffic and line markings or signage to indicate it’s a bike route.
The modelling shows at the current rate of spending on “active travel” – an average of $75 million a year for the past eight years, which the government says is “record” investment – it will be at least 50 years and potentially more than 100 or more before the Perth-Peel part of the WA Long Term Cycling Network is complete, depending on calculation method.
WestCycle is urging WA political parties to commit to completing the Perth-Peel network in a decade, representing a scaling of funding up to $400 million a year for 10 years – not with “new” money but by reallocating existing road funding, so active transport reaches 10 per cent of the total road budget within four years.
Countries such as France, Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the largest cities in China invest between 10 and 20 per cent of their transport budgets on walking and cycling infrastructure.
“With Perth’s population set to increase by 60 per cent by 2042, we need a transport system that offers everyone a range of ways to get around, so we don’t end up with 60 per cent more cars on the road,” said WestCycle chief executive Wayne Bradshaw.
“Two-thirds of all car trips in Perth are under 5 kilometres, such as dropping the kids off at school, popping out to the shops or going to see a friend. More people should have the option to walk or ride for some of these trips.
Their ask is supported by the RAC, WA Local Government Association and Heart Foundation.
A WA Labor spokesperson said no government had spent more on walking and cycling infrastructure than the Cook government, pointing to the Boorloo Bridge; the Curtin Avenue bike path; addressing critical gaps on the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways; bike paths from Muchea to Mandurah through the Tonkin Gap project; grants for local governments and changes to allow local governments to use certain road funding sources for new cycle paths.
“WA Labor is committed to the continued delivery of the Long Term Cycling Network, but this will be done in a sustainable and responsible way,” they said.
“We recognise the importance of reducing congestion on our roads and promoting alternative travel modes.”
Shadow Treasurer Steve Martin said the WA Liberals were “unashamedly focused on health, crime, cost of living, housing, and restoring regional services”.
“The WA Liberals will announce our transport policies in due course,” he said.
Western Australia closed out 2024 with its second-deadliest year on the roads in the past decade with 185 deaths, the highest since 2016, when 195 people were killed in car crashes.
“Main Roads WA and local governments like Vincent and Fremantle are working to create slow traffic and calm neighbourhood streets that encourage walking and cycling,” Bradshaw said.
“Creative interventions like painted lines, planter boxes, seating and trees can be quick and affordable ways to change the way a local street feels and is used, encouraging people to walk and cycle.
“These aren’t radical ideas. Cities around the world are already making these changes, creating more liveable communities.”
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