Of all sport and recreation facilities in the ACT, paths are used the most. This confirmed a 1995 Australian Bureau of Statistics supplementary survey. The 1996 Census data on Journey to Work show cycling share at 2 per cent in the month of August. Information gathered from cyclists is that a lack of well-lit, safe bike paths is the main reason for the winter trough. If this seasonal drift could be eliminated then the goal of doubling the number of commuter trips between now and the 2007 target could be met purely by getting existing cyclists to cycle all year round.
Overseas experience demonstrates the potential for raising cycling rates in Canberra.
In the United Kingdom, where there is little cycling promotion, the share of total trips by bicycle is only 2 per cent. Holland is the most impressive, where in some cities the proportion of trips by bicycle is as high as 50 per cent. Brisbane and Perth have both set targets for increasing cycle use. Perth's target is to increase cycle trips to 8 per cent by 2010 and 11.5 per cent in 2029. Brisbane aims to increase cycling from 1.5 per cent in 1995 to 2.5 per cent by 2000.