Reduced Congestion

The Kent Street cycleway is one of the most popular (and busiest) in Sydney.

Traffic congestion already costs Sydney $3.5 billion a year*.

With a forecast 23 per cent growth in traffic in just 15 years, that figure is set to rise to $7.8 billion a year. Increased traffic congestion means longer travel times and an increase in the cost of doing business in Sydney.

To keep Sydney moving we need to give people more options for getting around the city, including bike riding. More people on bikes means fewer cars on the road and more seats available on public transport.

This is why we have set a target of 10 per cent of all city trips on bikes by 2016 (up from around one percent currently). This will result in less motor traffic congestion and shorter travel times for those who need to drive.

The creation of a safe and convenient bicycle network is vital for achieving these goals

Easing traffic congestion – the facts:

• Traffic levels are forecast to rise 23 per cent over the next 15 years.
• Half of all car trips are less than 5 kilometres – this is 15 minutes on a bicycle.
• 1.35 million Australians make car journeys to work of less than 5 kilometres.
• An Inner Sydney Regional Bike Networkwill create:
  • A 66 per cent increase in people riding bikes by 2016 alone.
  • Congestion savings of $97.8 million (from increased bike use).
  • More seats available on public transport.

* 2005 figure from Bureau of Transport of Resource Economics