Cycling in Australia

Analysis and Comment (18)

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Cycling numbers are growing in the inner city, but falling on the outskirts. yewenyi/Flickr

More cyclists? That depends on where you live

By Alexis Zander and Chris Rissel

If you have heard comments from friends or colleagues that there seem to be a lot more cyclists these days, chances are that you live or work in the inner city of an Australian capital city. A new report…
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Lost generations: if Australians now cycled at the same rates as in the mid 1980s, up to a million more people would be riding. Flickr/taisau

Australian cycling boom? Nope – it’s a myth

By Chris Rissel

Cycling industry reports of significant bicycles sales in Australia suggest a growth in cycling participation. As the Tour de France re-excites interest in cycling around the world, a new analysis published…
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It needs to be easier for cyclists to safely navigate our busy city streets. H4NUM4N

Helmet-cam captures bike accidents (and could make cycling safer)

By Marilyn Johnson, Monash University

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: Every year, dozens of cyclists are killed and thousands are injured while riding on Australian roads. Statistics such as these, coupled with all-too-frequent horror stories about…
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The velocipede created one of several cycling booms in Australia. Harpers Weekly (Dec 18, 1868)

Bigger than Cadel: Australia’s century-old love affair with cycling

By Rob Hess, Victoria University

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: Forget about the wild scenes of public adulation for Cadel Evans following his Tour de France triumph. Forget about the widespread admiration for champion cyclist Anna Meares following…
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Almost everyone can ride to work, and the health benefits are enormous. california cowgirl1

Better health is only a short bike ride away

By Robert Lockie, University of Newcastle

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: More than half of Australia’s population can be classified as overweight and obese. This statistic is alarming but some of the risk factors associated with obesity – such as poor…
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Much science goes into the creation of the perfect bike frame. Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA

High-end bikes for sale … but what are you really buying?

By David Rouffet, Victoria University

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: What are you paying for when you buy a new bike? Materials … sure. Design … without doubt. Manufacture … yes, of course. But beyond that, what’s going on? Why can these objects…
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Children are far more likely to cycle if their parents do. carfreedays

Why aren’t more kids cycling to school?

By Jan Garrard, Deakin University

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: In 1970, nearly all young people in Australia walked, cycled or took public transport to school or university (84%). Few travelled by car (16%). Fast forward to 2011 and most children…
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Sydney has a lot to learn when it comes to cycling culture. Mikael Colville Andersen

Why Sydney’s cycling culture needs an overseas influence

By Emma Barnes, University of Technology, Sydney and Nicole Gardner, University of Technology, Sydney

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: There are many reasons cycling should be actively encouraged in our cities: increasing fuel prices, obesity levels and environmental concerns, just to name a few. Yet in comparison…
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Riding to work doesn’t have to involve lycra. Beyond Neon

Effortless cycling: how do we make riding a bike normal?

By Matthew Burke, Griffith University

CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: I’m living in the middle suburbs of Shanghai – a great cycling metropolis. Bike-riding rates are 30 to 40 times higher than Australian cities. Hardly anyone wears lycra or rides…
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Tucking your pants into your socks mightn’t be trendy, but cycling to work has a range of benefits. AAP/Joe Castro

Try cycling on Ride to Work Day … it might change your life

By Chris Rissel

In July, Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the most prestigious race in professional cycling: Le Tour de France. But what effect has Cadel’s victory had back home in Australia? Are more Australians…
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How do you improve road safety? Simple: make it riskier. La Citta Vita

Sharing streets: is the answer to get naked?

By Lee Stickells

In August, Liberal MP Peter Phelps delivered a passionate rant in the NSW Upper House in which he called traffic lights a “Bolshevist menace”. He argued that traffic lights are on par with state repression…
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European women love to get on their bikes. kamshots/Flickr

Bikes as transport: getting Australian women along for the ride

By Jan Garrard, Deakin University

Cycling for transport in Australia is characterised by several “missing” population groups: women, children, adolescents and older adults. Women comprise about one-fifth of commuter cyclists in Australia…
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If helmets protect against brain injury, why not wear them?

Don’t be fooled, keeping bike helmets is best for health

By Max Cameron, Monash University

Convincing more Australians to get on a bike would undoubtedly deliver health improvements that come with reduced waistlines. But ditching bike helmets isn’t the answer. The health benefits of more cycling…
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The life expectancy gained from cycling to work outweighs the risks of ill health from pollution and injury.

Ditching bike helmets laws better for health

By Chris Rissel

With epidemics of diabetes and obesity threatening to bankrupt state health budgets, governments need to broaden their strategies to encourage physical activity. Allowing cyclists to ride without a helmet…

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