Pedestrian Linkages – Cycle Club

About this pattern

Bicycles are a low impact means of transportation, particularly for trips under 5km distance. They are an important, cost-effective means of reducing traffic density and promoting healthy exercise. Community-based cycling groups should be formed to promote cycling as a means of transport.  For instance, Bike Marrickville is a volunteer-run group of residents promoting cycling and improving the local environment. Local groups can be affiliated with Bicycle New South Wales, the peak body organisation for the promotion of cycling and cycling safety. 

Pattern Conditions

Enablers

• The development of safe cycling infrastructures, marked lanes, separated pathways, adequate signage, laws that protect cyclists and their access to roadways.  Digital platforms have made safe route planning far easier in Sydney. (http://www.sydneycycleways.net/map/)

Constraints

• Cycling infrastructure and signage remains limited in Western Sydney in particular. Some areas are totally unsafe for cycling. The cultural climate and practices of motorists can make cycling unsafe.
• Lack of storage and shower facilities can limit the ability to use cycling as an alternative form of commute transport.
• Cycling may not be advisable during heat emergencies and also at times when bushfires bring smoke into cities.

Commoning Concerns

Cycle Club as social commons/transit

Access: Open to cyclists/commuters.

Use: Transportation and recreation, conviviality.

Benefit: Exercise, safety, reduced fossil fuel emissions, reduced congestion.

Care: Community based organisations.

Ownership: Community residents.

Promoting access to cycling means challenging existing patterns of development, transportation and infrastructure as well as cultural norms around transportation and comfort at work. Cycling culture can be gender and class exclusionary—its accessibility to women, low-income or disabled populations would also require sustained advocacy and facilitation from cycling advocates/organisations.