Australia is obsessed with cars. Our cities are designed around highways, sprawling suburbs, shopping centres, drive-thru Maccas and Hungry Jacks and traffic congestion. But what if we reimagined our urban spaces to prioritise people over vehicles? A comprehensive study published last year by scientists from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh shows that we’re not just losing time and money by clinging to our car culture – we’re losing lives. Tens of thousands of premature deaths could be prevented annually by making a simple but profound shift: moving from cars to bikes and walking.
As someone who has cycled for most of my life and uses a commuter e-bike and e-cargo bike for daily errands, I know the joys and challenges of embracing active transport in a car-centric country. Australia is ripe for transformation, but we need the infrastructure, planning, and cultural shifts to make it happen.
The study presents a compelling case for active transport. By prioritising cycling and walking, cities could slash premature mortality rates and improve quality of life. The health benefits go beyond physical activity. Reduced air pollution, fewer traffic injuries, and better mental health are just the start. In countries that have embraced cycling, like the Netherlands, these outcomes are already being realised.
Yet in Australia, the lack of safe bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure makes this hard to achieve. Instead, we endure clogged roads, rising obesity, and a health system burdened by preventable diseases.
Australian cities are built around cars. Public transport options are limited, and cycling infrastructure is sparse and disconnected. Car dependence isn’t just an urban issue – it’s embedded in our social fabric. Owning a car is seen as a rite of passage, and alternatives are often dismissed as impractical. But this comes at a cost. Every car trip contributes to emissions, traffic congestion, and the health problems linked to sedentary lifestyles.
My Experience Living the Cycling Life
Cycling has been a cornerstone of my daily life. I’ve always ridden my bike to work, rain or shine. I’ve even been caught in hail a few times! The benefits are clear: better fitness, less stress, and the satisfaction of avoiding traffic jams. I’ve also embraced e-bikes, which make longer commutes and hillier routes easier and less sweaty. My cargo bike is a game-changer, allowing me to carry groceries, run errands, and transport larger items without relying on a car. And my dog Fred loves it!
During my #eBike4Australia journey from Perth to Sydney, I saw firsthand the possibilities and challenges of cycling in Australia. From cities like Adelaide with relatively good bike path networks, to finding my way through Sydney where cyclists are an afterthought, the contrast was stark. But the potential for change is immense. With the right infrastructure, more Australians can experience the joy, practicality and health benefits of cycling.
Opportunities for Change
The Netherlands and Denmark have shown that cycling isn’t just for the athletic or brave. It can be safe, convenient, and mainstream. Their success stems from infrastructure that prioritises bikes: separated lanes, ample bike parking, and city planning that encourages short commutes.
Australia can follow this lead. We can start by reallocating road space to bikes. Dedicated bike lanes make cycling safer and more attractive. We can lower the costs of e-biking by including them in emission-reduction incentive schemes. This will help more people make the switch, especially in hilly or sprawling suburbs. And through better urban planning, we can design cities around people, not cars. This creates healthier, more liveable spaces.
Shifting to active transport isn’t just good for individuals – it’s good for the planet. Cycling reduces emissions, cuts healthcare costs, and fosters cleaner, quieter cities. With our world-leading adoption of rooftop solar, this should be Australia’s obvious next step. Just as we’ve embraced clean energy at home, we can embrace clean, active transport in our streets.
Call to Action
It’s time to leave Australia’s car culture in the rearview mirror. Governments must invest in cycling infrastructure and incentives. And individuals can start today. Dust off your bike, try a short ride to the shops, or explore your neighbourhood on two wheels. If we all make small changes, the collective impact can make a difference. Let’s make Australia a cycling nation.
Sharing a related call to action:
Better streets wants to increase funding for active transportation ahead of the elections.
You can sign the open letter as an individual or endorse as an organisation.
https://www.betterstreets.org.au/2025-federal-election
Major shopping centres should have a Parkiteer lockable bike enclosure’s like those available at railway stations, to reduce the risk of theft while shopping.
Dr David Suzuki suggested owing a dog had similar emissions to a large 4WD.
We've taken 100 years to make this big mistake. It'll take us 100 years to fix it. But things can be so much cheaper, healthier, faster and more convenient, and with a much greater sense of freedom. I discovered this when living in Barcelona for 5 years. Walking in shaded footpaths throughout the city is so much more pleasant than being locked in a car each on acres of bitumen. Perth has about the same population as Barcelona, but is 42 times as big. Perth is the same size as São Paulo, Brazil, but has less than 1/10th its population.
Fully agree that active (and public) transport is the way to go in urban environments. Segregated cycle lanes are a must but we also need shading, such as by planting trees or even solar PV covered awnings like South Korea has done.