Traffic Snarles and Two Wheel Options

It is well past time encouraging the commuter cyclist was a major part of our comprehensive urban transport planning however, is cycling dedicated infrastructure the first priority, 

We also need improved coordination between train, bus, tram/light rail and ferry services in all Capital Cities.

I heard a discussion yesterday about integrating Brisbane public transport under a single authority. This was proposed some years back by a Liberal Mayor and rejected by a Labour Premier.

During yesterdays conversation, there was no hard support from the Transport Minister or the Opposition Transport Spokesperson and one even admitted integrating would be difficult due to the self-interest of the competing authorites. It was good to hear an honest assessment.

But back to commuter cycling infrastructure.

My travels in Europe over the years have always left me envious of the number of cars taken off the roads and people off public transport by way of the number of people who cycle to and from work.

It is quite a site to see a female in full business regalia, heels and all, cycling to work, or a male in business suit astride his commuter bike. There were literally hundreds of commuter cyclists in Berlin.

However, I was aware of only one dedicated bike path in Berlin.

The most valuable cycling infrastructure in Berlin, Paris and Bern is the attitude of drivers.

However, it is not as if all drivers like cyclists, but they all respect and even value them.

I caught a cab in Berlin and at one stage we were slowed for a few hundred metres by a cyclist. The driver made a comment and I asked him if he disliked cyclist. He said he disliked being held up but loved how many people rode instead of driving cars or catching a bus. He went on to explain that if all the cyclist travelled by bus, the road would be clogged with buses and that would-be a nightmare in Berlin.

We could also legitimise other forms of two wheel transport. Scooters and motorbikes also take cars off the road and free up space on public transport. However, these riders are also at the mercy of uneducated drivers threatening their safety.

We could incentivise mortised two wheel commuters by ruling that annual registration fees will be $50 for all Scoters. Further, we could do the same for all Motor Bikes with a capacity of 200cc or less.

But encouraging commuters on to their bikes, scooters and small capacity motorbikes is really just a pipe dream, that is, unless we have an integrated National Education Campaign involving all levels of Government.

Campaigns  such as "Be Safe – Be Seen", "Look Left Look Right Look Bike" and "A Metre Matters" all have their place.

However, an ongoing national campaign aimed at promoting the benefits of replacing cars with cyclist and motorcyclists would be a step forward. Further, promoting the economic and environmental benefits of fewer future road developments as a result or reducing the number of cars would also help.

The next step would be to incorporate two wheel transport awareness in to all driver training and licence testing. What if all learner drivers were required to spend a minimum number of hours cycling or “scooting”?

Finally, including an education program in schools addressing road safety and two wheel vehicles would commence the transformation of a permanent change in attitude.

And then there are the health benefits of two wheel commuting, cycling and motorcycling, but that is another (positive) story.