On your bike! A saving to you and your community?

It is becoming common practice within both Australian and international transport planning communities for "cycling usage targets" to be defined as part of an overall transport strategy. In many cases these targets primarily relate to a significant increase in the proportion, or mode share for cycling within each community. A raft of reasons are known that justify or support increases in cycling mode share. For example, common reasons include cost savings for the individual and community; direct and indirect health benefits; reduced environmental and social impact compared to motorised vehicular traffic; increased social interaction and "sense of community" and simply to promote "active" transport. This paper discusses these diverse benefits and then concludes by exploring whether cycling is really receiving a "fair go". It also suggests broad solutions that may be adopted to ensure cycling receives a "fair go" into the future. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211783.