Cycling bodies want city ring path

Grassroots bike and community groups want a ring cycle path built around Perth to connect existing radial paths along the city's rail lines and freeways.

And they want the paths to be separated from cars and pedestrians.

Their plans are contained in a report prepared by the Victoria Park Transition Network and the Vic Park Collective.

The groups say a 70km ring path could be built for about $30 million and connect train stations, universities, schools, shopping centres and parks.

It was envisaged that a lot of the route would be on quiet local streets rather than main roads.

"Mounting international evidence indicates that lots of people want to cycle but are too afraid to ride on the road with cars," the report said.

"By providing some form of barrier to physically separate cyclists from cars, more people will feel safe and, therefore, be more likely to ride."

The report said an increasing number of overseas and interstate cities had embraced protected bike lanes.

The benefits of increased cycling participation were diverse.

For example, if 5 per cent of peak-period motorists switched to cycling, average traffic speeds could increase up to 50 per cent for the remaining motorists.

It has also been estimated that every kilometre cycled in Australia generates $1.12 in health benefits for the community.

In North America, the number of protected bike lanes has quad-rupled over the past five years.

Cycling numbers on protected bike lanes increased an average of 75 per cent in the first year after installation.

"Perth's current bike infrastructure network is a variable collection of shared paths, on-road lanes, footpaths and quiet back streets," the report said.

"The emphasis on shared paths leads to conflict between pedestrians and cyclists in heavily utilised areas.

"While cyclists can still enjoy a safe ride on these shared paths, they can often face difficult and unsafe road conditions else-where."

The report said the $30 million cost was an estimate, but it had already been shown that some protected lanes could be built for as little as $50,000 per kilometre.

The report was also endorsed by the Bicycle Transport Alliance, Dismantle and Bike Doctor, Beaufort Street Network, Guildford Transition Network, Mundaring in Transition and Enkel.

Electrics fuel new era for urban pedal power

Electric bikes will change the face of cycling in WA, putting further pressure on existing paths and infrastructure, according to visiting Dutch cycling experts.

Transport consultants Arie Vijfhuizen and Martijn te Lintelo are in Perth as guests of the State Government and will join about 140 delegates at a workshop todayWED to consider ways to make bike riding safer in the city.

Mr te Lintelo said one in three bikes sold in the Netherlands was an electric bike as more people began to use them for longer journeys “without sweating as much”.

When they were first released, Mr Vijfhuizen said e-bikes were considered just for the elderly.

“But they have got sexier and cheaper and more people want to use them,” he said. “They are very popular with students.”

Regulations expected to be gazetted next month will bring WA into line with the same e-bike modifications and specifications of other States and countries.

These require the bike’s electricity to cut out at 25km/h.

Electric bike sales in Australia have grown considerably in recent years from about 11,000 in 2011 to 36,000 in 2013. But these are expected to soar with the new regulations.

“Of course, you still need to pedal these bikes, so it’s still good for fitness and exercise,” Mr te Lintelo said.

“But the fact that batteries last up to 200km means cyclists can travel longer distances to work or for leisure.”