To achieve the economic and sustainability benefits of transport performance that come with providing people with multiple transport choices, walking and cycling must be recognised and supported as viable and legitimate modes of transport. The paper describes one of several research projects conducted in 2007 by the Victorian Department of Transport in order to help inform policy that could support these outcomes. The paper discusses the findings, which are categorised under 6 themes: 1) the state of walking and cycling networks across Victoria; 2) reasons for walking and cycling trips; 3) barriers to walking and cycling; 4) the need to integrate walking and cycling with public transport; 5) council interventions to increase walking and cycling; and 6) remaining challenges for Local and State Government. The paper describes how these findings informed the Victorian Cycling Strategy, released in March 2009. The objective of the Strategy is to support the recognition of cycling as a legitimate and viable transport choice and to increase cycling in the State. (a).
Abstract