2015 ACT Active Travel Framework

PLANNING

In 2015 the ACT Government released a strategy for active travel. The document is called Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel but everybody calls it the 2015 Active Travel Framework.

A brief history of active travel policy work

The ACT Transport Strategy 2020 was rushed out before the 2020 ACT Election and is the third iteration of a transport strategy with active travel. Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel was the first.

1. 2015 Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel
2. 2018 Moving Canberra 2019-2045 Integrated Transport Strategy
3. 2020 ACT Transport Strategy

Following this document active travel was revisited in another strategy document without timeline or goals- 2024 Active Travel Plan.

Introduction

The ACT Government’s thinking on the future development of the ACT transport network. The concept of active travel is incorporated in the health, urban planning and environment strategies and now the wellbeing budget too. “Active travel” is an abstract concept and leads to confusion. “Active travel” also quite broad in scope and this continues to create difficulties.

Figure 1: Cover of Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (aka. Active Travel Framework)

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel has its origins in Transport for Canberra (ACT Government, 2012) has since been supersede but still serves as a illustrative introduction to active travel. This document is also referred to as the 2015 Active Travel Framework.

Active travel: what is it?

Walking is active travel. So walking to the bus stop makes public transport active travel. Pretty much anything can be active travel that does not involve driving door to door, as we often do.

Active travel is many things:

“Active Travel

Transport for Canberra adopted the term ‘active travel’, which refers to human powered mobility – such as walking, cycling or riding (see definition below). The focus of this framework is on the use of active travel to access jobs, education, services and social opportunities, as well as for recreational purposes. A public transport journey (by bus, train or Light Rail) is generally accompanied by a walk, cycle or ride to and from the transport stop.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 5

But for the major it is just three things: walking, cycling and riding. Riding can also mean many things.

“Walking, cycling and riding

When the terms walking, cycling and riding are used in this framework, they generally refer to any form of human powered mobility: walking; using a wheelchair or other personal mobility device; pushing a pram; wheeling luggage; riding a bicycle, e-bike/pedelec, scooter, skateboard, tricycle or rollerblades. They can also refer to horse riding.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 5

“CASE STUDY – Streets for Community (report)

The ACT Government is exploring ways to better design and deliver Canberra’s streets. Streets for Community recognises that successful streets are more than just a conduit for traffic; they are also places to be, walk, and ride.

Streets are considered ‘good’ when they are used by nearby residents and businesses, provide appropriate space and design for a range of activities and feel safe and welcome. Good streets have a local character and sense of place, provide for a mix of development types, integrate service requirements, and encourage people to connect with their community.

Work to improve streets includes providing quality pedestrian and cycle paths that are seamlessly connected to broader walking and cycling networks. Intersections are important to prioritise direct, convenient and safe street crossings.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 43

Figure 2: bike and ride map, Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 47

“CASE STUDY – Bike racks on buses

Over 80% of ACTION buses are fitted with bike racks. It is the most extensive network of bicycle-rack enabled bus routes in Australia. Customers can ride to a bus stop, hop on the bus with their bike, then finish their journey by bicycle. It is also proving useful for customers who only want to ride one way. There is no additional fare for using the bike racks, and NXTBUS real time information system shows which buses have bike racks fitted. The ACT Government has expanded its commitment to bike racks on buses by including them on the higher capacity articulated and higher capacity rigid (14.5 metre ) fleet. It is expected that 98% of the bus fleet will be fitted with bike racks over time.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 48

Figure 3: Way finding signage, Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 39

“CASE STUDY – Lowering Speed Limits in the ACT

Canberra city centre and Tuggeranong and Belconnen town centres now feature a 40 kmh speed limit around much of their highpedestrian activity areas. A 10 kmh decrease in speed limits, from 50–40 kmh, can reduce the risk of death by 50% for pedestrians and bicycle riders.

Based on the evaluation of the project, lower speed limits have already contributed to safer environment for walking, cycling and riding around all centres while having little or no impact on vehicle travel times and business in those areas.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 50

Photo by Ann H

“CASE STUDY – Age-friendly neighbourhoods

Canberra is part of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age- Friendly Cities – a group of jurisdictions that seek to improve the living experience of its senior residents. WHO’s checklist of essential features of age-friendly cities identifies eight domains: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community and health services.

The ACT Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing 2010– 2014 recognises the need to better plan for, and accommodate the needs of, the ACT’s growing ageing population.”

Building an Integrated Transport Network: Active Travel (ACT Government, May 2015), 52