Supporting Papers

The evidence for safer, separated cycling

Our advocacy is grounded in research and government strategy. These are some of the papers and guidelines that shape what we ask for across East Gippsland.

• "Painted cycle lanes significantly reduce the distance motorists give cyclists." Forbes: painted white lines are not cyclist-protecting forcefields (experts agree)
• "The proportion of people who are 'confident to ride' increases from 22% when a standard bike lane is provided (compared with conditions where there are no bike facilities) to as much as 83% if physical separation is installed." Bike lane design guidelines, City of Melbourne (PDF)
• Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018-28: "We want to open up cycling to a greater range of Victorians, promoting the benefits of riding a bike to underrepresented groups." "Roads and related infrastructure should separate pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles." "About 60 percent of Victorians are curious about cycling and like to ride, but they don't cycle, or cycle less, because they want a safer, lower-stress, better-connected network and a more inclusive cycling culture." "Women, children and senior Victorians cycle far less than the typical cyclist, who is male and under 45. Making the network safer and lower-stress will increase the participation of underrepresented groups." Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018-28 (PDF)
• Local streets show promise as a useful intervention for saving lives and reducing serious injuries to vulnerable road users in residential areas. MUARC Report no. 340, Monash University (PDF)
• Women have different infrastructure preferences to men, with a high preference for bike paths or lanes physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. ScienceDirect: gender and cycling infrastructure preferences
• A survey of more than 4,000 Victorians found over three-quarters are interested in riding a bike, but only on infrastructure that separates people from cars (such as off-road paths or protected bike lanes). Interest in bike riding was high in the outer regions of the Greater Melbourne area, despite low participation. ScienceDirect: Victorian cycling interest and infrastructure