Inquiry to look at Perth cycling

WA's Auditor-General has launched an investigation into Perth's cycle infrastructure and whether it is good enough to sustain cycling as a viable mode of transport around Perth.

The investigation is expected to report to State Parliament before September.

In its inquiry brief, the Auditor-General's office said cycling was seen as a viable transport alternative to motor vehicles in many cities, especially over shorter distances.

But it said safety concerns, traffic and poor cycling infrastructure were seen as the most significant barriers to the uptake and participation in cycling across Australia.

"Successive State governments have supported the development of cycling networks and infrastructure to encourage cycling," it said.

"The objective of this audit is to determine whether suitable support and infrastructure are provided to enable cycling to be seen as a viable mode of transport in the metropolitan area."

The main focus of the inquiry will be:

·Is there a comprehensive and well-maintained cycling network which covers the main metropolitan transport routes?

·Are suitable actions in place to promote cycling as a safe, convenient and viable mode of transport?

The Auditor-General is also expected to release within weeks its audit into WA Government projects designed to address congestion.

"Excessive traffic congestion has a number of undesirable consequences including increased costs to the community and business through longer, less predictable travel times, lost productivity, additional running costs of vehicles and environmental pollution," the office said.

"This audit will assess if Main Roads' infrastructure and traffic management projects are effective in addressing traffic congestion."