Bicycle plans are an increasingly common method for government authorities to outline their strategy for accommodating and encouraging bicycle use. These planning documents offer the strategic framework to implement bicycle initiatives in a manner consistent with the organisational requirements and objectives of the relevant agency.
The following documents are offered to assist practitioners in the development, review and implementation of bicycle strategies and plans.
27th Feb 2013
In February 2013 VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, released a report that reviews effects of construction, maintenance, management, and costs for pedestrian and cyclist solutions on major roads, with or without central barrier. The report is written in Swedish with an English summary.
02nd Jan 2013
In September 2012 the City of Amsterdam published a long term cycling plan which will create 38,000 new bicycle parking places and 15 kilometres of red asphalt bike lanes on the most dangerous roads. The City Council plans to invest 57 million euros in measures designed to benefit cyclists. The Long-term Cycle Plan 2012 - 2016 outlines the proposed projects and the city's future cycling policy.
19th Dec 2012
In December 2012 the Chicago Department of Transport released their Streets for Cycling Plan 2020. The plan will guide the development of a citywide network of 150-250 miles of bikeways that will make bicycling a safe and easy option for all residents. Once built, the bikeways network will safely connect residents to their daily needs with a healthy, affordable and green form of transportation.
11th Dec 2012
In December 2012 the Victorian Government released its 10 year Cycling Strategy. Cycling into the Future 2013-23 will be supported by a series of Action Plans, which will be periodically updated as work is completed. The strategy includes a plan to spend more than $30 million on bicycle infrastructure in 2012-13.
28th Nov 2012
This illustrated guide, published by the Asian Development Bank in 2011, provides a rich collection of images of sustainable urban transport initiatives from around the world. It considers the transport problems evident in many cities in Asia, including high levels of energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, congestion, road casualties, urban sprawl, and social exclusion.
23rd Nov 2012
Smart Move, The City of Adelaide’s Transport and Movement Strategy 2012-22 outlines Council’s desired transport and movement outcomes for the City, and the strategies to achieve these over the next 10 years. The Strategy aims to make the City more accessible by accommodating greater travel choices to meet the needs of all users. The Strategy’s key priority is to create a people-friendly City by improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and those using public transport. It was released in November 2012.
22nd Nov 2012
This strategy, developed by the Vancouver based transport provider TransLink, aims to guide regional cycling investment and programming to significantly increase cycling and improve cycling safety. The document, published in July 2011, describes the state of cycling in Metro Vancouver, assesses the potential to increase cycling, articulates a clear vision, sets goals and measurable targets, and outlines a comprehensive package of strategies.
21st Nov 2012
In November 2012 NSW Roads and Maritime Services published How to Prepare a Bike Plan guidelines and online tool. The guide, predominately for local councils, can be used by anyone who wants to develop a bike plan, for example schools, hospitals, universities and businesses. The online tool is designed to work in conjunction with the guideline and will help create, organise and manage the delivery of a bike plan.
29th Oct 2012
In October 2012 the Australian Government released "Walking, Riding and Access to Public Transport: draft report for discussion". The draft report explores how the Australian Government can work with other governments, business and the community to encourage and support walking and riding as part of the transport systems in Australia's cities and towns. The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is seeking feedback on the report which will guide the Department's policy development process. Submissions are open until 5pm, 31 January 2013.
25th Sep 2012
Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative published these guidelines in September 2012. The publication outlines a variety of progressive transportation ideas, recognises the crucial connection between transportation and development policy, makes the case for Department of Transport (DOT) involvement in land use decision-making, and proposes ways to improve access to cycling, walking and public transport.
17th Sep 2012
This report by Fred Hansen was released in October 2011 as part of the Adelaide thinkers in residence program. The report outlines a path to delivering healthier and more sustainable communities through transport. The report recommends putting pedestrians, with the bicycle close behind, at the centre of a new transportation master plan.
05th Sep 2012
In July 2012 the Center for Transportation Studies at Portland State University released a guidebook designed to help US communities strategically plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
23rd Aug 2012
This series of Cycle Notes, by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland is designed to assist planners and engineers provide for cycling in their local area.
08th Jun 2012
The existing Willoughby City Council Bike Plan was prepared in 2006 and has been the guiding document for the implementation of the Willoughby bicycle network for the last five years. The 2006 Bike Plan is currently being reviewed to address new priorities, guidelines, trends and best practice in designing and implementing cycling infrastructure for the Willoughby Local Government Area (LGA). The draft plan is on exhibition until 3 July 2012.
08th Jun 2012
In June 2012 the City of Perth released their draft cycle plan for public comment. The plan proposes to make Perth a cycle-friendly city through development of a strategic cycle network which includes key north-south and east-west cycle routes. The draft plan is open for public comment until 10 August 2012.
31st May 2012
The draft Bicycle Plan 2012-16 is the City of Melbourne’s action plan for bicycle infrastructure and programs to make Melbourne safer and more attractive for current and future cyclists. The plan recognises that investment will be required for people to feel legitimate, safe and supported when they cycle. On 29 May 2012 Council endorsed the draft Bicycle Plan for community consultation. Feedback to the plan is invited until 2 July. The final Bicycle Plan which will be released later in the year.
31st May 2012
The San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan, adopted in May 2012, provides a regional strategy for making the bicycle a useful form of transportation for everyday travel. The plan covers 18 city and county governments. The Plan proposes a vision for a diverse regional bicycle system of interconnected bicycle corridors, support facilities, and programs to make bicycling more practical and desirable to a broader range of people in the region.
15th May 2012
The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program provided roughly $25 million each year for four years to four pilot communities to make significant investments in walking and bicycling infrastructure and education. This report, released in April 2012, documents the program's progress and initial results. An estimated 16 million miles were walked or bicycled that would have otherwise been driven in 2010, and an estimated 32 million driving miles were averted between 2007 and 2010
04th Apr 2012
Adelaide City Council's Bicycle Action Plan 2011-13 is an interim plan to ensure that the Council’s and State Government’s investments in cycling in the city are maintained prior to the completion of a new Integrated Movement Strategy for the City of Adelaide. The plan was approved by Council in October 2011. It details $2.655 million investment in cycling infrastructure, promotion and monitoring over the next two years.
16th Mar 2012
Transport customers, businesses and other organisations are being urged to have their say on the future of transport following the release of a discussion paper as part of the process to develop the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan. The discussion paper examines key transport issues, challenges and opportunities for Sydney and the regions. The paper specifically asks people to consider 'How can walking and cycling best be encouraged?' Submissions are due by 27 April 2012.
16th Mar 2012
The City of Melbourne is finalising its updated Transport Strategy. The Council’s Future Melbourne Committee invited the public to comment on the draft of the Transport Strategy at its 13 March meeting. Comments can be received until 5 April 2012. One of the six key directions is to 'make Melbourne a cycling city'.
15th Mar 2012
The draft Western Australia Bicycle Network (WABN) Plan 2012-2021 was launched by the Minister for Transport on March 13 2012. This new plan incorporates a review of its predecessor, the 1996 Perth Bicycle Network Plan, while also taking in regional cycling. The draft plan will be open for public consultation until 17 June 2012.
01st Mar 2012
The County of Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan was approved in February 2012. The plan proposes a vision for a diverse regional bicycle system of interconnected bicycle corridors, support facilities, and programs to make bicycling more practical and desirable to a broader range of people in the County. The plan is intended to guide the development and maintenance of a comprehensive bicycle network and set of programs throughout the unincorporated communities of the County of Los Angeles for 20 years (2012 to 2032).
13th Feb 2012
The NSW Government is implementing a wide range of actions to improve cycling infrastructure and encourage bike-riding. Cycling programs are also being reviewed as part of work on a new Long Term Transport Master Plan for NSW.
07th Feb 2012
Copenhagen’s bicycle strategy was approved by the City Council in December 2011. The strategy includes new initiatives and plans, which lay down guidelines for the longterm and overriding priorities for bicycle planning. These initiatives and plans are intended to help Copenhagen reach the goal to become the world's best bicycle city before the end of 2015. This strategy replaces Copenhagen’s former bicycle strategy ”Cycle Policy 2002-2012”.
27th Jan 2012
In January 2012 the French Government launched a national cycling strategy to encourage the French to spend more time on their bicycles. Government figures suggest that while more than half of daily trips in France are less than three kilometres, only three percent of these are made on a bicycle. The new strategy aims to increase this to 12 percent by 2020.
22nd Dec 2011
This brief report, written in December 2011 by the Cycling Embassy of Denmark, examines the interregional bicycle project, “Nordic Cycle Cities.” In the past three years the project has seen 11 small and medium-sized municipalities develop methods and tools to help them meet the challenges of getting more citizens to jump on their bikes.
14th Oct 2011
The Copenhagenize Index gives cities marks for their efforts - or lack thereof - towards reestablishing the bicycle as a feasible, accepted and practical form of transport. Cities were given between 0 and 4 points in 13 different categories, with a potential for 12 bonus points awarded for particularly impressive efforts or results. In short, a maximum of 64 points could be awarded.
30th Sep 2011
The City of Port Phillip in Victoria adopted their Bike Plan 2011-2020 in August 2011. The plan was adopted at the same time as a Sustainable Transport Strategy and Walk Plan.
30th Sep 2011
Gosford City Council's Draft Bike Plan 2011 was released in September 2011 for public comment. The Council is inviting comment via traditional written submissions along with online polls and discussions.
29th Sep 2011
This video, by the Dutch Cycling Emabssy, provides an overview of how cycling in the Netherlands has been planned for and encouraged. Reselased in Septemebr 2011, it gives a historical background to transport planning in the Netherlands and an insight into the integrated planning and design of the cycling network.
22nd Sep 2011
The Queensland Government’s cycling vision is ‘more cycling more often’ on safe, direct and connected routes. The Queensland Cycle Strategy 2011-2021, released in September 2011, sets the direction for cycling to achieve this vision and get more people on bikes for school, work, leisure and shopping trips.
17th Aug 2011
In August 2011 the Victorian Auditor General's Office released a report that looked at the effectiveness of the 2009 Victorian Cycling Strategy. The audit found that the strategy was a first, important step for Victoria to significantly raise the profile and role of cycling as part of a more sustainable transport system. However, serious limitations in its development and implementation compromised its potential to achieve its goal of transforming cycling into a major form of personal transport.
02nd May 2011
This study of the walking and cycling strategies held by local and regional councils in New Zealand, was published in 2008 by the NZ Transport Agency. In 2005, earlier research found that 36 strategies were held by 30 different councils throughout New Zealand. This stocktake of walking and cycling strategies found that there were 61 strategies prepared by 55 different councils (out of 85).
02nd May 2011
This publication, published by the Netherlands' Fietsberaad, examines the policies of 10 cities characterised by a relatively high degree of bicycle use. The 10 town reports each paint a picture of the way bicycle policy has contributed to thehigh degree of bicycle use over time. The cities include Groningen, Amsterdam, Enschede, Zwolle and Veenendaal in the Netherlands, and Münster and Freiburg in Germany, Copenhagen and Odense in Denmark and Ghent in Belgium.
29th Apr 2011
The Tasmanian Walking and Cycling for Active Transport Strategy aims to create a safe, accessible and well connected transport system that encourages more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday journeys. It was published in 2010.
29th Apr 2011
The National Cycling Strategy 2011-16 aims to double the number of people cycling in Australia. The strategy was approved by Australian Transport Ministers and builds on the National Cycling Strategy 2005-10. The Strategy has been developed as a coordinating framework identifying responsibilities of all levels of government, community and industry stakeholders to encourage more people to get on their bicycles and start riding for a better life.
29th Apr 2011
The NSW BikePlan was released in May 2010 by the NSW Government. The plan set out the actions to promote cycling that were to be led or assisted by the NSW Government. In November 2011 the current NSW Government announced the preparation of a new multi-modal Long Term Transport Master Plan for NSW.
21st Jan 2011
The City of Sydney Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2017 is Council’s commitment to making cycling as attractive a choice of transport as walking or using public transport. The strategy outlines the infrastructure needed to ensure a safer and more comfortable cycling environment and the social initiatives that will encourage more people to cycle. It is based on comprehensive analysis of cycling issues prepared by consultants for the City with significant input sought from the community during its preparation.
26th Oct 2010
The Hobart City Council's Sustainable Transport Strategy 2009 – 2014 proposes extensive bus ways, a connected high quality bicycle network, projects to assist commuters from rural and satellite areas to car pool and programs to assist individuals to understand the travel choices available to them.
21st Sep 2010
This paper, published in the journal World Transport Policy & Practice in 2009, examines how Germany has managed to balance high levels of car ownership with safe and convenient public transport, cycling, and walking alternatives. It shows that the car can peacefully co-exist with other modes of transport, provided the right policies are adopted to restrict car use in those situations where it is most problematic.
21st Sep 2010
This report describes research undertaken for Land Transport New Zealand on walking and cycling strategies. The study was carried out between August 2004 and August 2005. All (36) known New Zealand strategies publicly available at the end of 2004 were reviewed, plus a selection (8) of international strategies.
21st Sep 2010
The Victorian Cycling Strategy (2009) aims to increase the number of people walking and cycling in Melbourne by 15,000 and significantly grow cycling in the rest of Victoria by 2020.
21st Sep 2010
The South Australian Cycling Strategy aims to increase the safety, convenience and attractiveness of cycling. The strategy highlights safety and perceptions of safety are primary factors influencing the rate of cycle participation. The document strongly identifies that as more people cycle, the safer it becomes. A doubling of cycle trips by 2015 is a core goal.
21st Sep 2010
This 2006 resource created by the Bicycle Federation of Australia provides a practical checklist and relevant resources to assist local and state governments, as well as developers and community groups to improve the physical and social conditions for cycling.
20th Sep 2010
This Action Plan brings together all the key initiatives which the Welsh Assembly Government and its key partners are undertaking or planning to undertake in support of walking and cycling in Wales. A key aim of the Plan is to help secure a change in behaviour - so that more people, young and old, walk and cycle more often.
17th Sep 2010
This purpose of this 2009 study from the Clean Air Foundation in Canada is to understand and estimate the importance of onstreet parking to business on Bloor Street in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto. This report is about the development and testing of new analytic tools to determine the public acceptability and economic impact of reallocating road space.
17th Sep 2010
This 2003 German-published sourcebook, Sustainable Transport: A Sourcebook for Policy-Makers in Developing Cities: Preserving and Expanding the Role on Non-Motorised Transport, is intended for use by policy makers in developing cities, and their advisors, it provides policy tools appropriate for application in a range of developing cities.
16th Sep 2010
This handbook, published in 2009 by GIZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) and the Interface for Cycling Expertise, provides detailed information on how to develop cycling-friendly policies and plans. The manual provides practical advice about how to develop cycling policies and plans.
15th Sep 2010
In the Spring of 2008, NYCDOT released Sustainable Streets, its new strategic plan. The plan laid out, for the first time ever, a clear and detailed transportation policy for New York City; one that promised a new direction. This annual update of the plan reports on that progress, and serves as a focal point for meeting targets and sustaining momentum across all of their Agency’s programs.
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