The Bicycle Federation of Australia and the Cycling Promotion Fund , working with the Sydney South West Area Health Service and other professionals are developing a series of issue and fact sheets on the benefits of cycling.

This project has been made possible by the financial support of the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program, Australian Ethical Investment and the Cycling Promotion Fund.

Hard copies of these sheets are now with Wheels of Justice, and from those produced so far, the sheets with references are also available for download from both the Cycling Promotion Fund and BFA websites. (Also see below for links to these sheets)

I commend these sheets to all members of Wheels of Justice and request you download them, share them, make yourself familiar with their content and spread the message they contain. Hard copies in gloss full colour are available in limited quantities from WoJ, so please contact us.

cheers,

Rob

Issue Sheets

Bicycles are good for business (PDF 565Kb)
For retailers to be economically viable, shops must offer reasonable access to potential customers. In many parts of Australia, this has primarily involved maximising motor vehicle access. There are several important reasons why it makes good business sense to provide excellent bicycle access.

Bicycles belong on the road, registration free (PDF 575Kb)
There is a view that if cyclists want to be taken seriously and be provided with first class bicycle infrastructure they should pay registration fees like motorists. By placing registration fees on bicycles, governments would be losing far more than they gain in registration revenue.

Cycling is for everyone, not just children (PDF 748Kb)
It is sometimes argued that bikes are nothing more than kids’ toys and when they turn eighteen we ought to give cycling up and adopt driving as our primary means of transport. Despite the existence of such an attitude, the reality is quite different.

Travelling by bicycle is faster than you think (PDF 772Kb)
The average commuting car speed in Melbourne of 19.7km/h is slower than many experienced cyclists; and most cyclists can comfortably do 17.7km/h.

Cyclists live longer - and it’s safer than people think! (PDF 760Kb)
People who cycle regularly live longer and the benefits of physical activity overwhelmingly outweigh the risks.

Getting more people riding bicycles in Australia (PDF 586Kb)
Changing the “Car is King” culture in Australia IS possible. The evidence is clear - Government investment in bicycle infrastructure results in greater bicycle use and reduced car use.

Fact Sheets

Health Benefits of Cycling (PDF 764Kb)
Physical inactivity is second only to tobacco as the most important health risk in Australia. Cycling is a convenient, cheap, low-impact, environmentally-friendly form of transport which, as a daily physical activity, is more likely to be maintained than other leisure activities.

Environmental Benefits of Cycling (PDF 802Kb)
About half the greenhouse gas emissions produced by an average Australian household each year are from transport. Cycling is one way a household can significantly reduce its contribution to the pollution that causes climate change.

Economic Benefits of Cycling (in preparation)

Social & Cultural Benefits of Cycling (in preparation)

Safety and Cycling (in preparation)