The Planning Checklist for Cycling was published by Bicycle Network Victoria in October 2012. The document is designed to enable professionals to plan and design healthy suburbs with comprehensive cycling networks for residents and visitors. The checklist is based on the requirements of the Victorian Planning Provisions and associated engineering design guidelines.>> read more

In October 2012 VicRoads released an online map of the Melbourne Principal Bicycle Network (PBN). The PBN makes use of many local roads and off-road paths, as well as State arterial roads. New bicycle facilities on the PBN are designed with the principle of increasing separation between cyclists and motorists, and giving priority to cyclists at key intersections.>> read more

The construction of walking and cycling infrastructure is relatively inexpensive compared to other modes of transport. This graph, produced by the Australian Bicycle Council in September 2012, shows the estimated costs of infrastructure in Queensland.  The estimates are based on an average $1.5 million per kilometre to plan and construct a separated bicycle path provided by Transport and Main Roads in Queensland. >> read more

On October 30 the Australian Bureau of Statistics will release the journey to work data from the 2011 Census. Keep your eye out on www.abs.gov.au

This report, published by Austroads in October 2012 discusses infrastructure and traffic management issues identified in an examination of approximately 700 crash investigations conducted in metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia. The report recommends that segregation should be provided for cyclists on arterial roads where kerbside parking cannot be effectively eliminated and that a study into the interaction between cyclists and vehicles in wide kerbside traffic lanes should be conducted. >> read more

This research paper, published in the journal Ergonomics in 2011, indicates that crashes, in which the cyclist collided with a bollard or road narrowing or rode off the road, were related to the visual characteristics of bicycle facilities. Edge markings, especially in curves of bicycle tracks, and improved conspicuity of bollards are recommended. >> read more

This research report, published in the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, examines the impact of cyclist, road and crash characteristics on the injury severity of cyclists involved in traffic crashes reported to the police in Victoria, Australia between 2004 and 2008. >> read more

This research report, published in the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, describes the characteristics and costs of injuries to cyclists resulting in a 3rd party insurance claim in Tasmania. Cycling injuries made up 2% of claims but accounted for 3.4% of the total costs and were among the road user groups with the highest mean costs per claim. >> read more

In October 2012 Cycling Victoria launched Breeze, a program to establish a network of women's bunch rides across Victoria, led by women. Cycling Victoria will train female leaders (with AustCycle accreditation as well as leadership training), and provide support and networking opportunities to help establish women's only bunch rides in their local area. >> read more

In September 2012 one of Belgium’s largest supermarket chains, Delhaize, launched a national campaign to encourage more people to use their bicycles for shopping trips. Delhaize worked with Belgian cycling user groups, GRACQ and Fietsersbond, to develop the campaign which includes promotions to customers and staff, improved bicycle parking and incentives for staff who ride to work. >> read more

This research report, published in Transportation Research - Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour in  2012 investigates the barriers and facilitators to using CityCycle, a public bicycle share scheme in Brisbane, Australia. Accessibility/spontaneity, safety and weather/topography emerged as key influences. >> read more

This paper was presented at The 5th Healthy Cities Conference held in Geelong, Australia in June 2012. It provides heath and economic rationale for developing urban forms geared towards active travel. This review is the first stage of a project supported by the CSIRO which examines developing potential human health impacts of future urban development scenarios. >> read more

This report, published by the League of American Bicyclists in July 2012, highlights the impact the bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can have on state and local economies, discusses the cost effectiveness of investments, points out the benefits of bike facilities for business districts and neighbourhoods, and identifies the cost savings associated with a mode shift from car to bicycle. >> read more

This research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health in 2011, estimates the effects on health, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions if short trips (≤7 km) were undertaken by bicycle rather than motor car. The authors concluded that the health benefits of moving from cars to bikes heavily outweigh the costs of injury from road crashes. >> read more