Measuring progress

Knowing how many people are riding their bikes, why they ride, where they ride and how often they ride is important to help us understand what will grow cycling even further across our state. This baseline of data will enable us to track our progress over time in embedding cycling into Queensland’s transport system, culture, communities and economy.

The Queensland State of Cycling Report will be published every two years so that we can measure progress towards the five key objectives of the Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017—2027.

The graph shows the percentage of the population of selected regional areas in 2015 that cycle in a typical month. All of the selected regions showed cycling participation rates above the Queensland average of 22.1%, including Mackay at 25.2%, 3.1% above the average, Cairns at 29.7%, 7.6% above the average, and Gladstone at 23.1%, 1% above the Queensland average. Source: Austroads. 2015. National Cycling Participation Survey: Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay. Sydney. Unpublished reports prepared for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

On average, every one dollar invested in cycling infrastructure returns almost five dollars to Queensland in health benefits, reduced traffic congestion and other benefits. Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads. 2016. Queensland Cycle Infrastructure Investment Strategy 2016-26 and Business Case. Brisbane. Unpublished report.

Objective 1: More cycling, more often in Queensland.

Knowing how many people are riding their bikes, why they ride, where they ride and how often they ride is important to help us understand what will grow cycling even further across our state.

To track our progress, we will measure:	Baseline
Percentage of Queenslanders who ride a bicycle in a typical week	16.6%
Percentage of Queensland children who ride a bicycle in a typical week	51.5% (under 10) 38.9% (10-17 years)
Proportion of cyclists who are female	38.0%
Proportion of cyclists who ride for transport	39.1%

_{Baseline data source: Austroads. 2017. National Cycling Participation Survey: Queensland. Sydney.}

Objective 2: Cycle networks that are complete, connected and integrated with other transport modes.

People are more likely to cycle for transport or recreation when there are safe, connected and direct routes to ride on.

To track our progress, we will measure:	Baseline
Number of kilometres of principal cycle network built as part of the Cycling Infrastructure Program	444.6 kilometres
Percentage of trips to public transport undertaken by bicycle	1.1%¹
Percentage of public transport stations with bicycle facilities*	51% secure bicycle parking 52% unsecured bicycle parking

_{*Includes Translink Bus Stations, Busway Stations, Brisbane Ferry Terminals, CityCat Terminals, Gold Coast Light Rail and Citytrain. A station may accommodate both types of bicycle parking facilities, figures should be considered separately.}
_{¹Department of Transport and Main Roads. 2016. South-East Queensland Household Travel Survey 2009-2012. Brisbane.}

Objective 3: Positive perceptions of cycling throughout Queensland.

Improving people’s perceptions of cycling, especially among other road users, is essential to increasing the number of people who cycle.

To track our progress, we will measure:	Baseline
Percentage of cyclists who are comfortable riding in their area	66%¹
Percentage of cyclists who feel conditions are improving in their area	34%²
Percentage of drivers with a good knowledge of cycling related road rules*	44%³
Percentage of drivers with positive perceptions of cyclists**	58%⁴

_{*Average results from four questions asked on knowledge of cycling road rules}
_{**Average results from four questions asked on driver perceptions of cyclists}
_{¹ Austroads. 2017. National Cycling Participation Survey: Queensland. Sydney.}
_²ibid.
_{³Market and Communications Research. 2016. Road Safety Perceptions and Attitudes survey (RSPAT). Brisbane.}
_⁴ibid.

Objective 4: Cycling helping the Queensland economy to prosper.

We know well-planned cycling infrastructure pays itself off in health benefits and reduced traffic congestion. As part of the Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017 – 2027, we are investigating the range of benefits of cycling to Queensland businesses and the overall economy.

To track our progress, we will measure:	Baseline
Number of kilometres of constructed rail trails	226 kilometres
Number of attendees at major events*	11,220

_{*For the three largest cycling events held in Queensland by Bicycle Queensland, Cycling Queensland and Mountain Bike Australia.}

Objective 5: A strong evidence base that guides decision making about cycling.

Collecting and understanding data about who is riding, why they ride, when they ride and where they ride is helping to ensure our investments in cycling infrastructure and programs are targeted and working well.

To track our progress, we will measure:	Baseline
Number of monitoring points on the Principal Cycle Network*	18 permanent 66 temporary
Number of collected monitoring points released as open data sets**	14 permanent

_{* This measure is for Department of Transport and Main Roads monitoring points.}
_{** Open data sets are for data collected from the Department of Transport and Main Roads monitoring points.}