Barriers to riding - your stories

Barriers to Riding - summarized

Infrastructure

• Missing links between bikeways (304 mentions)
• Lack of protected bike lanes (301 mentions)
• Bike paths that start and stop suddenly
• Shared paths too narrow / congested

Safety - Traffic

• Unsafe roads - speed / volume of traffic (327 mentions)
• Unsafe practices by drivers (279 mentions)
• Aggressive drivers - particularly 'men in utes'
• Drivers not looking when exiting driveways

Safety - Personal

• Physical safety concerns (106 mentions)
• Poor/absent lighting (141 mentions)
• Harassment and verbal abuse from drivers and pedestrians
• Incidents of being followed or approached

Women-Specific Concerns

• Riding with children feels unsafe (51 mentions)
• Cat-calling and harassment
• Need to carry personal alarms
• Reduced work hours to avoid peak traffic
• E-scooters too heavy to move when blocking paths
• Targeted because of gender

Facilities

• Lack of secure bike parking (234 mentions)
• Lack of end-of-trip facilities (115 mentions)
• Fear of bike theft when leaving unattended

Barriers to Riding - in full

Traffic safety and driver behaviour

• High traffic speeds and vehicle volumes were the most consistently reported concern across all regions.
• Riders described frequent near misses, aggressive overtaking, and harassment by drivers – particularly ‘utes’.
• Many respondents reported avoiding direct routes due to fear of motor traffic.

Disconnected and incomplete cycling networks

• Cycle lanes and bikeways frequently end abruptly, forcing riders into traffic or onto footpaths.
• Missing links between bikeways and key destinations (work, schools, shops, transport hubs) were repeatedly identified.
• Poor continuity reduces confidence, particularly for less experienced riders.

Lack of protected cycling infrastructure

• The absence of physically separated bike lanes was highlighted across inner, middle, and outer suburbs.
• Painted lanes were described as insufficient on busy roads.
• Respondents consistently identified protected lanes as the single most effective improvement.

Intersections and crossings as high risk points

• Intersections were widely reported as dangerous, confusing, or poorly designed for cyclists.
• Unsafe crossings act as barriers even where good cycling infrastructure exists nearby.
• Many riders avoid certain routes due to specific intersections rather than entire corridors.

Personal safety, lighting, and path conditions

• Poor or absent lighting on bikeways and underpasses creates fear, particularly at night or during early mornings.
• Respondents reported feeling vulnerable on isolated or enclosed paths.
• Overgrown vegetation, debris, and blind corners increase safety concerns.

Riding with children and family members

• Many respondents indicated that they would ride more if infrastructure felt safe for children.
• Narrow paths, traffic exposure, and unsafe crossings were key deterrents for family cycling.
• Family friendly infrastructure was seen as lacking across most regions.

Parking and end of trip facilities

• A lack of secure and convenient bike parking discourages riding to shops, services, and public transport.
• Inadequate end of trip facilities (e.g. lockers, showers) limit commuting by bike.
• Theft concerns were raised in multiple regions.

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