Advocacy Resources
Welcome to the Movement
Every week, 373,300 Western Australians embrace the joy and freedom of bike riding, with over a million of us taking to our bikes each year. Yet, despite this enthusiasm, 47% of our community hesitates, feeling unsafe amidst car traffic.
It’s time for change. We invite you to join us in creating a movement towards safer, healthier streets where everyone has the option of using a bike in their daily journeys.
Our Active Transport Vision
Read more about our Active Transport Vision HERE
Re-imagining transport
It’s sometimes easier to see what’s wrong than imagine how things can be better, but we have you covered! In the below sections we will share an overview of the WA Government’s approach to active transport, technical guidance, and frameworks, approaches and case studies that show what improvements can be made to the physical properties of local streets and bike path networks, as well as how we use them and come together as a community.
STATE GOV OVERVIEW
The WA Governments approach to Active Transport, and the Policies and Programs in place.
Technical Guidance
Guidance from Ausroads and transport infrastructure design guides.
DATA, RESEARCH & LEARNING
Evidence to help you support your advocacy including data, case studies and more.
How To: HAVE YOUR SAY
When you come across opportunities like a “call for submissions,” “community engagement,” or invitations to “have your say,” often, these relate to draft government strategies or development applications that impact public spaces. These moments are critical for voicing the need to integrate cycling into broader planning efforts. We have created a guide to help you determine where, when, and how to have your say when advocating for active transport:
State Government Active Transport Overview
Western Australia’s approach to transport is shaped by several key government entities, each playing distinct roles within the state’s transport landscape. These include Main Roads WA, the Public Transport Authority, the Department of Transport, and the Road Safety Commission. While these organisations develop and implement policies that aim to enhance the state’s transport system, it’s crucial to acknowledge the ongoing challenges in reducing car dependency and fully supporting active transport within existing frameworks.
In Western Australia, both state and local governments have responsibility for planning, building and maintaining shared paths and other infrastructure used by bike riders. The state government transport portfolio – comprised of Department of Transport, Main Roads WA, and the Public Transport Authority – works to design and deliver infrastructure like the Principal Shared Path network, plan future bike routes through the Long Term Cycle Network (which is also developed with local governments) and create guidance documents related to providing for active transport.
The Road Safety Commission is responsible for community campaigns targeting road user behaviour that may impact bike riders, as well as facilitating changes to legislation. They do this in collaboration with the transport portfolio, and generally consult with stakeholders including WestCycle.
Policies & Programs
ACTIVE TRANSPORT GUIDANCE
Active Transport Guidance by the Department of Transport offers resources on planning and designing infrastructure that promotes walking and cycling (Active Transport, Planning and Design Guidance). These documents aim to support local efforts in enhancing active transport options, though their impact varies based on implementation and local context.
the long term cycle network (ltcn)
The Long Term Cycle Network (LTCN) is an aspirational plan for building a safe, legible and connected network of cycling infrastructure within and across local government boundaries.
The LTCN has been designed through an extensive consultation process between the Department of Transport and local governments in metropolitan and regional WA. Local governments are able to apply for WA Bicycle Network Grants to support up to 50% of the cost of designing and building the network.
Explore our simplified LTCN map below:
Technical Guidance
We are building a collection of collection of government policies, strategies, programs, and technical guidance that have a direct influence on active transport outcomes. Advocates can use this material to inform and support discussions with elected representatives as well as other community members.
Austroads
Austroads is the association of the Australian and New Zealand transport agencies, representing all levels of government.
The organisation commissions research and design guides that strongly influence how roads and streets function in Western Australia. Anyone can create a login to access their publications.
Austroads also hosts webinars that are generally free for anyone, including topics like the release of the 2023 National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey.
Here are some of the most relevant guides related to cycling infrastructure. Keep in mind Main Roads WA often produces a supplement to these which may include different guidance for the WA context. You can search for this on their website.
- Cycling Aspects of Austroads Guides
- Guide to Road Design Part 6A Paths for Walking and Cycling from Austroads
- Guide to traffic Management Part 8 Local Area Traffic Management from Austroads
- Bicycle Wayfinding research report from Austroads
- Bicycle Safety at Roundabouts from Austroads
(noting roundabouts aren’t the safest intersection type for people walking and riding!)
Transport Infrastructure design guides
- Summary of Design Principles for Good Bicycle Infrastructure – Bicycle NSW
- “Don’t Give Up at the Intersection” Guidelines – NACTO
- Protected Intersections Fact Sheet – Safe System Solutions
- Greening Cycle Ways and Walk Trails – NatureLink Perth
Key Legislation Governing Transport in Western Australia
Transport Coordination Act 1966
Road Traffic Code 2000 (Legislation) establishes the legal framework governing road use in WA.
Data, Research & Learning
Data Sources & Research
Road and crash data:
- Main Roads have a lot of publicly available information related to road transport: https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/technical-commercial/open-data-maps-apps/
- Their Traffic Map includes information about traffic speeds and volumes as well as bike counts: https://trafficmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au
Combined data sources – BikeSpot Insights, Main Roads 5 Year Crash Data (crashes involving bikes) and the Long Term Cycle Network:
Learning Resources
Places to learn about making cities and towns (and everywhere in between) better for riding bikes (usually free).
Podcasts:
- War on Cars (US)
- Strong Towns (US)
- Micromobility Report (AU)
- Get Around Caboolture Car Free (AU)
Webinars (generally free):
Case Studies
Riverton and Subiaco
1980s modal filters and street changes (with Tim Burns, from out Transport Advisory Group)
Get Involved With WestCycle
Become a Member
Become a part of our community and experience a huge range of member benefits.
