WestCycle details state-wide benefits of increasing active transport investment to $80 million in 2024

Posted by Shane Starling
18 January, 2024

WestCycle is encouraging the WA Government to invest in safer, healthier and more active communities by boosting funding for cycling in WA.

Our detailed, evidence-driven analysis reveals an annual active transport spend of $80 million will deliver a flexible, resilient and low carbon transport system that will build communities and foster more people safely riding bikes more often.

“This relatively modest shift in the transport budget is supported by two thirds of Western Australians,” said Wayne Bradshaw, CEO of WestCycle, the peak body for cycling in WA.[1]

“Enabling Western Australians to make more trips by bike is a low-cost and effective way to meet emission reduction targets, improve mental and physical health, boost community connection and workplace productivity, reduce traffic congestion and trim household spending,” said Bradshaw.

The WestCycle 2024-25 WA Budget Submission calls for:

$80 million a year for active travel infrastructure and projects to:
- accelerate the delivery of the WA Bicycle Network, including connectivity to METRONET
- ensure adequate maintenance of existing cycling infrastructure
- encourage local government investment in cycling infrastructure by changing the funding split to match that for road projects
- implement of the Active Travel to School Roadmap
$2 million for an e-bike subsidy program
$25 million over four years to complete the Wadandi Track that will link Busselton to Augusta
Allocate $1 million a year for mountain bike trail maintenance
Help maintain mass participation cycling events

The recommendations represent easy wins for government that provide an excellent return on investment and align with existing strategies and plans.

“We commend the WA Government’s record investment in walking and cycling,” Bradshaw said.

“These modest funding increases will boost the rollout of the local path network across the state and make sure our trails, offroad facilities and cycling events are adequately backed.”

“These investments will make streets safer for everyone, improve the quality of life, and ensure a sustainable, economically vibrant, and healthy future.”

WestCycle’s full pre-budget submission is here. A two-page summary is here.

FAST FACTS:

Two thirds of all car trips in Perth are less than 5km, a distance that can easily be travelled by bike, e-bike or e-mobility – if people feel safe on the shared path network.
In 2022, the cycling economy in WA (including cycle tourism) accounted for 6,847 jobs and $1.985 billion in economic activity.
Perth households spend $419.69 per week – or 14.6% of the average household income – on transportation costs. Cycling is a low-cost travel form that can help families control rising household costs.
In 2022, tourists spent a massive $97.1m on cycle touring in regional WA.[2]