We require advocacy when the evidence for change is not matched by policy commitment and where community demand is ahead of political action.

“To a politician, one letter is a complaint and five letters is public opinion” Professor Trevor Hilton

Our advocacy approach – what we do to support our members?

Bike Adelaide engages with local councils and state elected members particularly in transport, health, environment and treasury.  We maintain relationships with Department of Transport and Infrastructure staff (DIT), leaders and Ministers and local council staff and respond to consultations for our members.

In the community we are building an army of local bike advocates in SA with Bicycle User Groups in local council areas. These on the ground riders know their area better than anyone (to see if there is a BUG in your local council area or for tips on how to start a BUG read on).

We aim to keep people informed and engaged about transport issues and share positive messages about cyclists in the media.

We believe it is important to collaborate with organisations with similar goals and philosophies (healthy, active, non-polluting communities).

Current campaigns

  • Bike Adelaide calls for an investment of $80 million a year for 4 years directed to cycling infrastructure or 5% of transport investment expenditure (based on previous budgets) including the following projects: separated cycle routes through the City of Adelaide, a bridge connecting the River Torrens Linear Path trail to the RAH over the railway line, a bridge on the Mike Turtur Bikeway across the Goodwood Railway station, an expansion of the cities Greenway paths, and better arterial road crossings.
  • Commit to $10 million investment for the State Bike Fund each year for 4 years.
  • Fund our priority network improvements for inner and middle Adelaide and River Torrens Linear Path trail connections – DIT planning studies 102020-BISA identified projects
  • Fund projects in outer metro areas including a Seaford to Aldinga Bikeway, Adelaide Wine trail (Connecting McLaren Vale to the Barossa), Gawler Greenway (Gawler to Elizabeth), shoulder sealing on regional roads used by cyclists in Mount Barker District, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Onkaparinga.
  • Fund cycle tourism opportunities across South Australia
  • Fund the Wine Capital Cycle Trail COUNCIL-MEDIA-Funding-sought-for-iconic-Wine-Capital-Cycle-Trail.pdf (ahc.sa.gov.au)
Bikeways are good for business – the argument explained
Educating Councillors and business on the benefits of active transport investment in the city 
 

Support the SA Bike Economy: Businesses involved in South Australia’s Bicycle Economy are joining the call, as our organisations involved in health, conservation, and bicycle advocacy. Invest in a quality bike network and support industry sectors that help create active healthy communities.

Our full submission to government is available here  – supporting greater investment in cycling infrastructure

What do we want to see done in South Australia to support cycling?

Strategy

Map out a direct, connected, safe and pleasant cycle network for anyone aged 8 – 80 years and present this in State Cycling Strategy. Currently there is no bicycle plan or transport plan.

In the absence of a State Strategy Bike Adelaide is slowly aiming to map the network.

Infrastructure

Quality: Build an 8 – 80 network to encourage bicycle use for everyday travel in local communities. Integrate a network of separated routes for regional connectivity and forming a framework for cycle use that can be accessed by low-stress connections.
 
Develop strategic greenways: These include Keswick and Brownhill Creek in the West, Third and Fourth Creeks in the East, Dry Creek, Sturt River Linear path connections north and south, Outer Harbor Greenway, Mike Turtur Bikeway, Grange Greenway, Gawler Greenway, River Torrens Linear Path upgrades and connectivity, Rosewater Loop (PAE), Willunga – Aldinga bikeway, Crafers – Stirling extension, Barossa creeks and railway line opportunities, Adelaide Parklands outer boundary route – DIT planning studies 102020-BISA identified projects.
 
Improve the Bike Direct network including arterial road crossings: develop trunk routes with local street connections. Increase safety and connectivity. Our priorities for inner and middle Adelaide have been provided to DIT – DIT planning studies 102020-BISA identified projects.
Bike lanes: Extend bikelane operating hours on arterial roads and provide continuous bikelanes through intersections.
 
Member infrastructure priorities: In 2018 we asked members to vote on their priority projects which we continue to advocate for.  Member top infrastructure priorities

City Bikeways: Our team has put considerable advocacy efforts into the Frome St Bikeway, especially trying to get it finished. We have rallied bike riders to contact Councillors and talked with ACC staff about bikeway design options. Bike Adelaide also continues to liaise with the City of Adelaide on the East-West Bikeway. We are disappointed with the delays however look forward to future collaboration to get this project finished. Bike Adelaide believes the city needs a network of bikeways.  

Funding

State investment: Increase cycle funding from 0.6% of the transport budget to 5% of investment expenditure (approximately $80 million each year).

State Bicycle Fund: This fund supports local councils with 50/50 funding for infrastructure projects. Bike Adelaide advocates for it to be significantly increased as an effective way to build a bike network. 20/21 funding was increased to $750,000. Our call is for $10 million each year.

LGA’s: All local councils to provide yearly funding to implement the networks set out in their Bicycle Plans, supported by applications to the State Bike Fund. This can occur with a yearly budget allocation e.g. $1 million, or with yearly budget bids as part of the budget process.

Economics

Social cost benefit analysis: Bike Adelaide advocates for changes to the existing Cost Benefit Analysis tools used to assess transport infrastructure in SA which exclude health, environmental and liveability costs and prioritise travel time efficiency. Examples of this applied are below.

Social costs and benefits of bicycle summary

The social cost benefit analysis of a bike plan bikenomics in the industrial heart of Italy

Invest in cycling projects as an agile, effective economic stimulus: a US study found that 11.4 jobs are generated per $1 million invested in cycling facilities (compared to 7.8 for road projects).

Support the SA Bike Economy

What else is needed to create bike friendly communities?

40km local street speed limits: The cheapest and easiest way to increase safety on local streets. Children should feel safe to use the streets around their homes.

Wayfinding signage: Make it easy for people to find their way by bike using existing routes.  RTLP Wayfinding      Wayfinding

Bicycle parking and end of trip facilities: Enforce higher rates of bicycle parking in development plans and parking at destinations.

Better integrate public transport and cycling (last km access): Route upgrades and secure bike parking.

Bike carriage on buses and trains (free for travel in anti-peak direction)

Allow contraflow cycling on one-way streets

Enforce 1m passing laws using the ACT approach

Provide positive public messaging to support people who ride and encourage new people to cycle.

Helmets: Advocating for a trial of optional helmet use on bike trails and shared use trails. Bike Adelaide’s position on mandatory bicycle helmets.

Speed

These pages record some of the work Bike Adelaide has recently undertaken to improve conditions for bicycle use across Adelaide and South Australia.

Advocacy Work & Correspondence: 

Recent and past cycling advocacy activities in support of cycling in SA are listed below.

MonthDescriptionFile (as pdf)
April 2021Letter to Minister re State Bike Fund and Goodwood BridgeDownload file
April 2021Submission National Road safety strategyDownload file
February 2021Submission – East-West BikewayDownload file
February 2021St Kilda Shared use path letter to SalisburyDownload file
February 2021Meeting request to Minister Wingard and Minister SpeirsDownload file
January 2021Comments on Chief Street Bowden redesignDownload file
February 2021Feedback on the Crafers to Stirling Bikeway proposalDownload file
June 2020Submission re. Mike Turtur BikewayDownload file
May 2020Submission re. bike link between Aldinga and WIllungaDownload file
April 2020Coronavirus response: cycling initiativesDownload file
March 2020Recommended engineering standards for road widening at intersectionsDownload file
March 2020Submission re. widening of Magill Road/ Portrush Road intersectionDownload file
December 2020Advertiser article by Katie GilfillanDownload file
October 2019Response to consultation on upgrade of Port Road/ West Lakes Boulevard/ Cheltenham Parade intersectionDownload file
September 2019Response to consultation on Kroemers Crossing, TanundaDownload file
July 2019Submission re. draft Infrastructure PlanDownload file
June 2019Discussion paper re. draft Infrastructure PlanDownload file
June 2019letter to Minister Knoll re cycling expenditureDownload file
June 2019email re. Outer Harbor Greenway safety improvementsDownload file
June 2019Submission re. Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Project South Park LandsDownload file
May 2019Letter to DPTI re. consultationDownload file
May 2019email to Nadia Clancy re. AusTrackDownload file
May 2019email to Nadia Clancy re. AusTrackDownload file
April 2019Submission re. Military RoadDownload file
April 2019Letter to Minister Knoll re. Budget 2019-20Download file
April 2019Findings of Cycle Park and Ride SurveyDownload file
April 2019Proposal for west boundary railway route, ACCDownload file
March 2019Bikeways are good for businessDownload file
March 2019Email to Lord Mayor re King William St southDownload file
March 2019Email to ACC re. Councillor Donovan’s motion on bikewaysDownload file
February 2019Optimising the City South tram stop projectDownload file
December 2018Submission re. Integrated Movement Systems discussion paperDownload file
December 2018A call for greater investment in bicycle infrastructureDownload file
December 2018Media release: lack of investment harms small businessDownload file
October 2018Councillor Wilkinson’s call for “naked streets”Download file
October 2018Letter to Minister Knoll re. King William Street southDownload file
October 2018Comments on planning assessment pathwaysDownload file
October2018Submission re. Caroma site redevelopmentDownload file
September 2018Fay Patterson’s presentation to Transport Australia (audio)Download file
September 2018Letter to Minister Knoll re State Bike Fund budget cutDownload file
September 2018Comments on draft State Planning PoliciesDownload file
August 2018Email to NPSP on The Parade Masterplan Phase 3 by Fay Patterson and Ian RadboneDownload file
July 2018Submission on the 20 Year Infrastructure PlanDownload file
June 2018Comments on Marion Road StudyDownload file
June 2018Submission on The Parade Masterplan Phase 2Download file
MayLetter to new Transport Meeting introducing BISA and seeking a meetingDownload file
AprilDPTI response to our letter on audio-tactile linemarkingDownload file
MarchA scoreboard for the various parties’ election commitmentsDownload file
FebruaryCall to parties for election commitmentsDownload file
FebruaryLetter to DPTI re. impact of audio-tactile linemarkingDownload file
JanuaryBriefing notes for meeting with Road Safety Minister Chris PictonDownload file
DecemberComments on Draft Adelaide Road Footpath and Crossing Master Plan (Victor Harbor)Download file
NovemberChristmas email to Adelaide City CouncillorsDownload file
NovemberEmail to ACC’s Daniel Bennett re. dockless bike share and mandatory helmetsDownload file
NovemberComments on Jetty Road Glenelg Draft MasterplanDownload file
AugustComments on proposed works at the junction of Main South Road and Hillier Road, Reynella Download file
AugustEmail to Lord Mayor, re. east-west bike routeDownload file
AugustComments to North Terrace tramway project teamDownload file
JulySubmission to Inquiry into the Regulation of Parking and Traffic Movement in South AustraliaDownload file
JuneResponse from ACC re Gawler Place, parking and Currie/Grenfell StreetsDownload file
JuneOpen letter to Holdfast Bay councillors re. Jetty RoadDownload file
JuneResponse from DPTI re. Main Road, BelairDownload file
MayLetter to DPTI re. Main Road, BelairDownload file
MayLetter to Lord Mayor regarding Gawler Place and review of on-street bike parking and Currie/Grenfell StreetsDownload file
AprilResponse from Adelaide City Council re. access between River Torrens and CityDownload file
AprilLetter to Transport Minister seeking meeting re. North TerraceDownload file
AprilSubmission to Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council about proposed improvements to Ninth Avenue, St PetersDownload file
MarchSubmission to Port Adelaide Enfield Council about the options for allowing cycling past the Semaphore PalaisDownload file
MarchEmail to DPTI regarding planned changes to Elder Smith Road, Mawson LakesDownload file
MarchLetter to Transport Minister seeking information about the implementation recommendations of the Citizens’ Jury into sharing the roadDownload file
FebruaryLetter to Adelaide City Councillors about the Frome BikewayDownload file
FebruaryEmail to Unley Mayor and Councillors re Rugby Porter routeDownload file
FebruaryEmail to Adelaide City Council staff re. bollardsDownload file
FebruaryLetter to the Transport Minister about access between the River Torrens and North TerraceDownload file
FebruaryLetter to the Lord Mayor about access between the River Torrens and North TerraceDownload file

Date  Description  File (as pdf)
2016
November Comments on the City of Unley’s planned improvements to the Rugby/Porter route. Download File
 November Submission on the City of Campbelltown’s draft Bicycle Plan. Download File
 October Letter to Minister Mullighan: complaint about the delay in announcing grants to councils for bike projects. Download File
 October BISA submission to DPAC about the Capital City Policy Review (Design Quality) Development Plan Amendment Download File
 October Our top 10 infrastructure projects Download File
October Submission on the River Torrens Integrated Strategic Asset Management Plan Download File
October What we would like to see in the State government’s bike strategy – update Download File
September Submission on the 30 Year Plan Update Download File
September Submission on the draft railway crossing strategy Download File
August Submission on the City of Charles Sturt’s Transport Plan Download File
July Comments on the Broadview, Enfield and Clearview (South) Local Area Traffic Management Study Download File
July Our proposal for a safer crossing of Regency Road for the Levels Bikeway Download File
July Grange Rd railway crossing safety upgrade Management Study Download File
 February Fay Patterson’s ideas for Operation Moving Traffic Download File
 2015
 November  Comments on Braund Road bicycle boulevard.   Download File
  June 2015 Comments on plans put out by the West Torrens Council for a university-based precinct north of Phillips Street in Thebarton.  It includes Holland Street, which is an important cyclist link across the river.  Download File
26th May 2015 Comments to West Torrens council on plans to relocate Vintage Road closure, Underdale. Thanks to Fay Patterson for work on this. Download File
26th May 2015 Letter from BISA Chair to Project Manager, City of Charles Sturt with comments on proposed street upgrade for Bartley Terrace, West Lakes. Thanks to Ian Smith & Fay Patterson for their assistance. Download File
25th May 2015 Letter from BISA Chair to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure re: Bike Lanes on Portrush Rd Download File
30th March 2015 Letter to The Minister re state bicycle strategy to replace Safety in Numbers Download File
2nd March 2015 Letter to Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) re: Fitzroy Tce & Park Tce upgrade proposal. Comments best viewed with upgrade plans (here). Download File
1st Feb 2015 Response from Adelaide City Council re: Frome St Bikeway and safety in Elder Park Download File
2014
Date Description File (as pdf)
15th Dec 2014 Letter to Adelaide City Council re: Frome Bikeway and cycling safety in Elder Park Download File
14th Oct 2014 Letter to Onkaparinga Council re: Willunga Foreshore Access Plan, Stage 5 Download File
14th Oct 2014 Cycling for the Environment, for Health, for Pleasure. A little background history for the citizens’ jury Download File
26th Sept 2014 Letter to Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) re: Submission to Expert Panel on Planning Reform Download File
12th Sept 2014 Email to DPTI re: Fullarton Rd upgrade Download File
14th Aug 2014 Submission re: Greenhill Road Median Safety Improvements Download File
18th July 2014 Reply from DPTI re: Beulah Rd Roundabout and Shared Path Fullarton Rd Download File
1st July 2014 Email to Adelaide City Council re: Frome Bikeway, wayfinding signage Download File
11th July 2014 Email reply from Adelaide City Council Download File
24th June 2014 Reply to DPTI and Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council (NPSP) re: Fullarton Road at the Beulah Road, Rundle Street intersection Download File
16th June 2014 Letter to John Rau MP, Minister for Planning re: Amy Gillett Bikeway: Stage Four Download File
3rd Sept 2014 Reply from Minister’s Office re: Amy Gillett Bikeway: Stage Four Download File
 2013
 Date  Description  File (as pdf)
 26th Aug 2013  BISA input into the Frome St Bikeway project (Carrington St to Pirie St) – sent to Adelaide City Council as part of the Community Consultation.  Download File