Encouraging more people to ride their bikes is a key aspect of transitioning Ballarat towards a more sustainable and equitable future. It is critical to maintaining the lifestyle and accessibility so valued by the Ballarat community. With the population forecast to increase from 100,000 to 160,000 by 2040, the option of cycling will become an increasingly vital mode of mainstream transport for residents and visitors seeking to avoid increasing congestion and the financial costs of running and parking a private vehicle.
While a number of people already choose to ride a bike, either to commute to work, for sport or for pleasure, there is significant room for improvement. Making Ballarat a more attractive and enjoyable place for cyclists is about planning carefully to improve our cycling infrastructure. It also involves raising awareness of the many benefits of cycling and motivating people regardless of gender, age or ability or to get on their bikes more often.
This Cycling Action Plan is one of a suite of mode-specific action plans that together will help to transition Ballarat to a more sustainable future. This plan is fundamentally about making Ballarat a better place to ride a bike, outlining practical steps to be delivered over the short, medium and long term and embedding cycling as a fundamental mode of transport within an integrated transport system for Ballarat.
