THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
ACTIVE TRANSPORT SUMMARY DRAFT INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STRATEGY
ACTIVE TRANSPORT THE OUTCOME WE SEEK A safe, connected and attractive active transport network that makes walking, wheeling, riding and scooting practical choices for short, everyday trips. This network will complement the future public transport network that is the backbone of movement across the region. It will connect people of all ages and abilities to schools, public transport, shops, activity centres, employment, open space and community facilities. It will support healthier communities, reduce car dependence and improve access for people who do not drive.
WHY IT MATTERS With public transport being our backbone of moving people across the city, the focus moves to ensuring active transport around our activity centres. Many trips in Greater Geelong are short enough to be made by active transport. However, the likelihood of walking or riding falls significantly once a trip exceeds one kilometre.
Trip length
Walking
Riding
Driving
Less than 1 km
61%
2%
36%
3%
75%
Overall, 63 per cent of trips shorter than one kilometre are made Between 1 and 2 km 20% by active transport, compared with only 23 per cent of trips 1 between one and two kilometres . This indicates a significant opportunity to replace more short car trips where safe, direct and attractive connections are provided. 0F
Missing footpaths, disconnected bicycle routes, difficult road crossings and high-speed, high-volume roads can make short journeys feel unsafe or inconvenient. These barriers particularly affect children, older people, people with disability and people who are less confident riding near traffic. Walking and riding improve physical and mental health, reduce household transport costs and support social connection. Active transport also reduces traffic and parking demand, improves access to public transport and contributes to lower transport emissions. travel. Its focus on accessibility and inclusion, connected neighbourhoods, safe streets, health and wellbeing, and climate response provide
WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE destinations. The future network will include: continuous and accessible footpaths safe and convenient road crossings low-stress bicycle and micromobility routes quieter local streets that support safe walking and riding protected infrastructure on busy and higher-speed roads connections through open space where they provide direct and suitable transport routes safe access to schools, activity centres, employment areas and public transport secure bicycle and micromobility parking shade, lighting, seating and clear wayfinding. Walking and wheeling improvements will be prioritised around local schools, public transport and destinations. Bicycle and micromobility routes will connect neighbourhoods to nearby centres and link with longer-distance strategic corridors. The Principal Bicycle Network, Strategic Cycling Corridors and Strategic Walking Connections will guide the protection and delivery of a connected network. This will help the City and the Victorian Government coordinate investment, close missing links and ensure active transport infrastructure is incorporated into growth areas, road projects and major developments. Routes will be designed for people of all ages, abilities and levels of confidence. The appropriate treatment will depend on traffic speed, traffic volume, demand and surrounding land use. On busy roads this will generally require physical separation, while low-speed local streets may support shared movement with appropriate traffic management.
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Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA)
PBN
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2.85% of people walked all the way to work in 2021. Our vision is that 10% of people are walking to work by 2047.
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0.94% of people rode a bicycle to work in 2021. Our vision is that 10% of people are riding or scooting to work by 2047.
SECURE
MANAGE
ENABLE
Pursue state and federal grants.
Plan and maintain priority networks.
Build safe, connected and accessible
Use developer contributions.
Close gaps between council and state
Integrate projects with road and drainage renewals.
routes. Apply consistent design and maintenance standards.
routes. Provide safe crossings, shade and lighting. Make walking and riding suitable for all ages and abilities
Now Prioritise missing links, safer crossings and local connections to schools, activity centres, bus stops, railway stations and other everyday
As We Grow
As Demand Matures
Connect isolated routes and facilities to
Reallocate street space where
create complete, low-stress networks for
necessary to create continuous, high-
walking and riding.
quality routes along strategic corridors.
destinations. Provide a mature network that allows people of most ages and abilities to
Upgrade existing paths, crossings, lighting, shade, wayfinding and bicycle
Build protected infrastructure along busier, higher-speed roads and expand
parking.
networks of low-speed local streets.
Encourage greater use of active transport in places where walking and
Combine network improvements with programs that encourage more people
Make active transport a standard part of street design and transport-capacity
riding already offer practical choices.
to walk and ride.
planning.
make everyday journeys safely without a car.
Indicators Network completeness Low-stress access Destination accessibility Walking mode share Riding/scooting mode share Active school travel Usage Safety
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