Benefits of cycling

The National Cycling Strategy aims to double the number of people who ride a bicycle in Australia by 2016.

Increasing the number of people riding a bicycle for transport and recreation will benefit Australia by improving health, productivity, the environment and community liveability.

More people riding a bicycle will:

• help reduce urban traffic congestion (estimated to cost Australia $20 billion a year by 2020 if we do nothing)
• improve air quality and reduce noise in our neighbourhoods and cities (making us healthier and happier)
• reduce the carbon emissions from transport (currently responsible for 15% of Australia’s carbon footprint and increasing)
• get more people in the community healthier and fitter and so reduce the cost we all bear for inactivity (estimated to now cost Australians more than $13.8 billion each year)

Riding a bicycle for transport and recreation benefits individuals by:

• improving their health and wellbeing (regular bicycle riding makes you happier, healthier and live longer)
• reducing personal and family expenses (ditching one family car and cycling to work can save up to $800 a month)
• saving time, especially on short trips (when travel time is measured from door to door journeys up to 5 km are generally faster by bicycle)
• connecting people to their community and environment
• providing people of all ages with a sense of freedom and fun.

Even if you don’t ride a bicycle, you benefit when others do with less congestion, a cleaner environment and healthier, more liveable communities.