Hobart Counts
Cycling South councils have been collecting annual data on the number of riders using various routes around Greater Hobart since 2010. The data helps us to monitor trends and growth in cycling. Click here for more information or to view data.
The next counts will be held on Tuesday 18 March 2014 and we are looking for helpers who can spare a couple of hours from 7am to 9am in the morning.
Studies and reports
Are hills barriers to cycling?
In Switzerland the city of Basel is built on the steep banks of the Rhine and yet 23% of journeys are made by bike. In Bern, where many roads have a gradient on the steep-o-meter of 7%, the percentage of people cycling is 15%. Trondheim (Norway), where slopes with more than 5 % gradient are long and numerous, has reached a cycling rate of 8 % and has equipped itself with the first bicycle lifts in the world. In reality, there are not many situations which preclude the use of a bicycle. The only climatic features which have a really dissuasive influence on cyclists are pouring rain or blistering heat. Appropriate clothing and suitable infrastructure on arrival greatly reduce the negative impact of atmospheric conditions. As for the flat countries like the Netherlands and Denmark... people never mention the wind. Try riding to work in a storm, with hurricane strength gusts in the middle of a dark winter morning.
Public Health and Urban Transport
A presentation by Prof. John Pucher of University of Sydney and Rutgers University given at a Connect Cycling conference in Melbourne in 2006.
Click here to download presentation.
The Urban Speed Paradox - Paul Tranter
An article from Dissent Magazine (Spring 2011) on time pressures, cars and health which looks at whether fast cars and fast roads actually make us more time poor by increasing the distances we travel. Download presentation.
Bicycle Victoria survey - June 2006 Bicycle Victoria carried out a survey of 217 people which was emailed to Bicycle Victoria members. Survey respondents were asked to rank the following 4 projects in order of importance. The results show the percentage of respondents who chose each project as the most important.
- Sandy Bay Rd bike lanes (40%)
- Tasman Bridge access (39%)
- Round the River Route (24%)
- Battery Point Promenade (11%)
Respondents were also asked to comment on additional projects they would like to see carried out. The results were:
| Rivulet Track gaps and surface improvement | 3 | |
| CBD bike lanes | 17 | |
| Elizabeth St / Main Rd bike lanes | 13 | |
| Sandy Bay Rd bike lanes & Bonnet Hill | 17 | |
| Macquarie & Davey Sts bike lanes | 17 | |
| Bike route to Fern Tree | 6 | |
| Augusta Rd bike lanes | 6 | |
| Argyle and Campbell St bike lanes | 2 | |
| East-West connections to Cycleway | 7 | |
| Cycleway extension to Granton | 6 | |
| Cambridge to Richmond route upgrade | 6 | |
| Clarence St, Bellerive | 2 | |
| Tasman Bridge access improvements | 15 | |
| Granton/Bridgewater to New Norfolk route | 4 | |
| Southern Outlet bike lanes | 4 | |
| East Derwent Hwy sealed shoulders | 2 | |
| South Arm Rd – Howrah to Lauderdale | 6 | |
| Tasman Hwy | 5 | |
| Bridgewater Bridge | 2 | |
| MTB Trails on Mt Wellington | 5 | |
| Share the Road campaign | 21 |
| Road Maintenance | 5 |
| Bikes on buses | 4 |
| Bike parking | 7 |
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 (to June) | |
| Fatal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Serious | 14 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 5 |
| Minor | 36 | 46 | 45 | 36 | 46 | 29 |
| First Aid | 15 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 9 |
| No injury | 27 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 19 | 11 |
| Not known | 10 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 103 | 112 | 123 | 102 | 105 | 60 |
Bicycle Useage
The Australian Sports Committsion carries out the Exercise, Recreation and Sports Survey (ERASS) to collect information on frequency and type of activities carried out for exercise, recreation and sport by people aged over 15 years.
In the most recent 2003 study, cycling rated highly being in the top 4 most popular activities in Australia, although more males than females participate. The number of males cycling in Tasmania is comparable to mainland states but the number of women cycling in Tasmania is below average, with only NSW having less percentage of women cycling.
| % Particiaption rate | Males | Females |
| Tasmania | 13.8 % | 5.8 % |
| Victoria | 13.3 % | 7.5 % |
| New South Wales | 11.4 % | 4.2 % |
| ACT | 21.3 % | 13.3 % |
| Queensland | 11.2 % | 7.5 % |
| Northern Territory | 18.8 % | 13.7 % |
| Western Australia | 12.9 % | 9.1 % |
| South Australia | 13.6 % | 6.0 % |
For the full report click on http://www.ausport.gov.au/scorsresearch/erass2003.asp
Health
In 2004-05, 34% of Tasmanians aged 18 years and over did not exercise (Australian Bureau of Statitics: www.abs.gov.au)
AAMI survey of driver attitudes towards cyclists Feb 08. AAMI surveyed 2380 drivers around Australia on their attitudes towards cyclists. The research suggests drivers are aware of the increased presence of cyclists on our roads. However, the fact that 62 per cent of Tasmanian drivers surveyed find cyclists to be a road hazard shows some drivers still have much to learn about sharing the road. Despite more than eight in 10 Tasmanian drivers (82 per cent) thinking roads are dangerous, 65 per cent think they can do more to make roads safer for cyclists, and 83 per cent would like to see better facilities for cyclists. This shows drivers are obviously aware of the vulnerability of cyclists on increasingly congested roads.
Tasman Bridge Cycle Crash Survey Although there is much anecdotal evidence of bike crashes on the Tasman Bridge, there is no forum for recording data on the type of crash, severety or location. Bicycle Tasmania is conducting a survey to gather crash information to assist with efforts to improve the safety and convenience of the shared pathways on the Bridge for both cyclists and pedestrians. If you have had a crash on the bridge (even if it was several years ago) please complete the survey. See Crash Survey
Bicycle Parking survey Thanks to everyone who filled in the Bicycle Parking Survey. The following locations were identified as lacking suitable bike parking. - Elizabeth St, North Hobart - Macquarie St (outside town hall) - Royal Hobart Hospital - Salamanca - Hobart State Library - Hobart TAFE college - Lenah Valley Rd shopping centre - Hobart CBF - South Hobart shops - Battery Point shops - Lipscombe Larder, Sandy Bay - Coles/K-Mart New Town - Channel Court shopping centre, Kingston
The challenge for drivers is to convert this awareness into meaningful action to help make the roads safer for cyclists. Drivers need to exercise patience and give cyclists appropriate clearance when passing them, and look out for them before opening car doors, when turning, and when entering roundabouts and intersections. Click here to view a copy of the media release.
Tasman Bridge Cycle Crash Survey Although there is much anecdotal evidence of bike crashes on the Tasman Bridge, there is no forum for recording data on the type of crash, severety or location. Bicycle Tasmania is conducting a survey to gather crash information to assist with efforts to improve the safety and convenience of the shared pathways on the Bridge for both cyclists and pedestrians. If you have had a crash on the bridge (even if it was several years ago) please complete the survey. See Crash Survey
Bicycle Parking survey Thanks to everyone who filled in the Bicycle Parking Survey. The following locations were identified as lacking suitable bike parking. - Elizabeth St, North Hobart - Macquarie St (outside town hall) - Royal Hobart Hospital - Salamanca - Hobart State Library - Hobart TAFE college - Lenah Valley Rd shopping centre - Hobart CBF - South Hobart shops - Battery Point shops - Lipscombe Larder, Sandy Bay - Coles/K-Mart New Town - Channel Court shopping centre, Kingston