At a time when we are bombarded with depressing statistics about increasing rates of obesity in Australia it is heartening to see that cycling retains its popularity. Nationally, cycling is the fourth most popular recreation enjoying a 15.3% increase between 2001 - 2004.

Bicycles have extended their sales lead over cars for 2006, with Australian bike sales hitting a new record of almost 1.3 million while car sales declined from the previous year.

Bicycle sales in Australia totalled 1,273,781 for their fifth straight year of million-plus sales, more than 32 per cent ahead of the motor vehicle sales total of 962,521.

In the seventh successive year in which bicycles have outsold cars, bikes have extended their lead to more than 300,000 – a sales edge which comfortably exceeds the total sales of vehicle market leader Toyota.

This is consistent wth the trend in the 2004 statistics for WA, when walking recorded a 41.4 per cent participation rate, followed by aerobics/fitness (18.1 per cent), swimming (17.8 per cent) and cycling (13.8 per cent).

The TravelSmart marketing program conducted in South Perth, Subiaco, Vic Park, Cambridge, Wanneroo, Melville, Fremantle, Joondalup and Armadale has claimed 1-2% increases in cycling amongst participants.

50km/h speed limit

The impact of the 50 km/h default built-up area speed limit that was introduced in December 2001 has been positive with respect to vulnerable road user groups. There has been a 51 per cent reduction, resulting in 432 fewer crashes involving pedestrians. Presumably this will also make the roads safer for cyclists too.

Is it faster by bicycle?

Effective speeds for cars can be lower than a bicycle or a bus, even before taking into account the external costs of transport. Read more in this report from the Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2005
Using the Concept of Effective Speed as a Stimulus for Travel Behaviour Change and Policy Development

Safety

Cyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users however the percentage of cyclists hospital admissions compared to other road users has not changed significantly from 1987-2000. (An overview of Bicycle Crashes and Injuries in Western Australia. July 2005). The group most at risk are school-age boys. It seems that the majority of accidents happen 'off-road' (driveways, recreation areas, shared paths etc). We know that around 6% of trips in WA are made by bicycle yet cyclists make up around 14% of road injury hospital admissions.

In 2006 the Department for Planning and Infrastructure set up a 'Shared Path Working Group'.

More statistics

Cycle Safety: A national perspective (Australian Transport Safety Bureau 2004)

Helmet use of bicyclists who were fatally injured or hospitalised as a result of a road traffic crash. 2002 (Office of Road Safety, WA)

Pro helmet web site | Anti helmet web site

An overview of Bicycle Crashes and Injuries in Western Australia. July 2005 Gavin, A.L., Meuleners, L.B., Cercarelli, L.R., Hendrie, D.