As part of the process to revise the 1993 National Bicycle Strategy , Austroads were enagaged to write a consultation paper in August 1998. This paper provided information about the benefits to the community which can be expected from increased bicycle use. Pedal Power is indebted to Austroads and the National Bicycle Council for making this information available.
Cycling causes little noise pollution compared to motoring.
Given a choice there are few people who would rather have the noise of a freeway beside their house compared to the noise of a cycleway. The benefits gained from regular cycling are likely to outweigh the loss of life through cycling accidents. A 1995 FHWA study found that bicycle lanes reduce motor vehicle crashes by 49 percent. Ironically, the faster that vehicle traffic moves the greater space is needed to provide a buffer front, back and to the side of each car. In Denmark one third of the adult population use bicycles regularly.