About Us

The Australian Bicycle Council is the national body that manages and coordinates implementation of The Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005 - 2010.

Over recent years, Australia has seen a significant growth in bicycle ownership and use. Australians are becoming increasingly aware of the convenience, enjoyment and widespread health and environmental benefits of cycling and as a result, initiatives to promote and increase this activity have been incorporated into many government agency programs within the portfolios of Health, Road and Transport, Education, Environment, Tourism, Sport and Local Government.

The Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005-2010 has been developed as a coordinating framework identifying responsibilities that lie with the various governments of all levels, community and industry stakeholders to encourage and facilitate increased cycling in Australia. It sets out actions, with targets, timeframes and resources that will ensure the continued growth of this important component of Australia's transport system.

A copy of the Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005 - 2010 is available here (PDF 2.4MB)

The vision for the Strategy is 'more cycling, to enhance the well-being of all Australians' specifically through:

• increasing participation in cycling
• improving safety for cyclists.

The priorities for the Strategy are:

• improving coordination of activities relevant to increased cycling in the appropriate portfolios of Australian, state, territory and local governments
• including cycling as an essential component in integrated transport and land use planning in all spheres of government
• creating infrastructure and facilities that support increased cycling
• enabling and encouraging safe cycling
• providing leadership and developing partnerships to support and promote cycling in Australia
• developing the skills needed to undertake actions that will increase cycling.
  

The Australian Bicycle Council secretariat is provided by Austroads.

Terms of reference for the Australian Bicycle Council

Role and reporting arrangements

The role of the Australian Bicycle Council is to:

• oversee and coordinate implementation of the Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005-2010
• provide a forum for the sharing of information between stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Strategy
• maintain a repository of information and resources relevant to providing for and promoting increased cycling in Australia.

The Council will report annually to the Australian Transport Council (ATC), through Austroads and the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT), on the implementation of the Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005-2010.

The Council will act as a jurisdictional forum providing input to Austroads on technical matters, and will provide a cycling perspective on Austroads research and the development of Austroads publications.

The Council will draw on input from road agencies, the cycling industry and bicycle users on cycling issues, and will take appropriate account of the views of the ATC and the Austroads Council.

Meeting arrangements and support

The Council will meet at least two times per year.

The Council will be chaired by a nominee of Austroads. It is anticipated that this would be the relevant Austroads program manager (or delegate if unavailable).

Austroads will supply the Council secretariat.

Meetings will be hosted by participating organisations. The location of meetings will vary accordingly.

Meeting attendance costs will be borne by attendees.

There will be no sitting fees paid to members.

The Council may convene a technical committee comprised of its jurisdictional representatives to facilitate input on technical matters; it may also convene working groups, comprising members of the Council and other stakeholders, to address specific issues.

The Council may invite participation from others from time to time on specific issues.

Australian Bicycle Council Membership

• A chair nominated by Austroads
  
• Australian Government
  A representative from the Department for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Local Government
  A representative from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
  A representative from the Department of Health and Ageing
  
• State and territory road/transport agencies
  A nominee of each Austroads state/territory member organisation
  
• A nominee of the Australian Local Government Association
  
• Bicycle industry
  A representative of Bicycle Industries Australia Inc.
  A representative of Retail Cycle Traders Australia Inc.
  
• Cyclist user groups
  A nominee of the Bicycle Federation of Australia
  
• Observers
  A nominee of Transit NZ

To contact a member of the ABC please search here

Last Updated: 17 August 2010.