Transport is one of Australia’s fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions and our country’s third biggest source of climate pollution.
The People and Transport National Poll 2022, commissioned by the Climate Council and conducted by YouGov, found that more than two-thirds of Australians think governments should deliver more footpaths and bike lanes across the country.
A number of Cities Power Partnership councils are ahead of the game and have spent years listening to their residents and realising community aspirations for walking paths, cycle-ways, micromoblity and more.
We spoke to these five councils about their sustainable transport initiatives:
City of Darebin
- Cycling is a top priority for the City of Darebin, who host well-attended bike maintenance and cycling supportive events. They also have a dedicated campaign to encourage Year 7s to ride to school, starting those riding habits early! “Cycling is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to sustainable transport and we know that Darebin has a strong cycling culture” – Lina Messina, Mayor of the City of Darebin.
City of Melbourne
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Climate Council’s national poll revealed that most Victorians (61%) would be interested to try an electric bike if their state or local government offered them an opportunity to do so for free. The City of Melbourne is already on to it! “Our e-scooter trial, in conjunction with the State Government and inner city councils, has proven incredibly popular and helped reduce traffic congestion. That’s why we’ll continue exploring affordable options for e-scooters over the coming months” – Sally Capp, Lord Mayor of City of Melbourne.
Merri-bek City Council
- Merri-bek City Council are doing all they can to deliver more footpaths and bike lanes for their communities. “We’re aiming for 80% of all trips to school to be made by sustainable forms of transport by 2030. We’re encouraging this through our Ride & Stride program, where we open streets outside some schools to walking, riding and playing without car traffic during pick up and drop off. We’re also offering free e-cargo bike loans to families living further away, so they can get an idea of what a sustainable school drop-off could look like” – Mark Riley, Mayor of Merri-bek City Council.
City of Sydney
- The City of Sydney is committed to ensuring their city continues to be a comfortable, safe place to live in, with well-connected active transport routes. In the last decade, cycling trips in Sydney have doubled and attitudes to cycling have shifted significantly. Council is committed to making bicycle transport easier and safer, so it’s an attractive option for more people. To date, they have invested in more than 25 kilometres of separated cycleways in the City of Sydney. Additionally, pedestrians in Sydney enjoy wider, safer footpaths – including the pedestrianisation of George Street which now also features the light rail, connecting commuters to the CBD’s major train stations.
City of Yarra
- The Copenhagen-style bike lanes in the City of Yarra in inner Melbourne, provide a safer and better connected journey for 1000+ riders every morning. Reduction in morning car traffic has been in the vicinity of 15% already.
Is your council missing from this list? Get in touch with us. We would love to profile your council’s sustainable transport initiatives next time!
Children play in a closed-off street near school as part of Merri-bek’s ‘Ride & Stride’ initiative
Sally Capp, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, on an e-scooter
