Cycling in Brisbane Australia
Bikeway counts - from RBOT forum
thought this might interest some, particularly the male/female ratio and bike type
all credit goes to beauyboy from the rail back on track forum
Bicentennial Bikeway Count 20120104
Time = 7:15-7:55am
Total = 441
Sex
Male = 362 (82%)
Female = 79 (18%)
Bike Type
Road = 259 (59%)
Other* = 182 (41%)
Bike per Sex
Male Road = 222 (61%)
Male Other* = 140 (39%)
Female Road = 37 (47%)
Female Other* = 42 (53%)
* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars
General Note
- Not all bike passing were able to be counted
- This count did not include pedestrian
- This count includes cyclists going both east and west
- This count was conducted just west of the Hale Street Bridge with me sitting in the shade under the Overpass
- Between 30-50% of road cyclists were in groups or seamed to be out riding for exercise and not commuting
- The weather was clear skies and moderate temperature
South East Bikeway Count 20120105
Time = 7:25-8:05am
Total = 185
Sex
Male = 148.5** (80%)
Female = 36.5** (20%)
Bike Type
Road = 65 (35%)
Other* = 120 (65%)
Bike per Sex
Male Road = 53 (36%)
Male Other* = 95.5 (64%)
Female Road = 12 (33%)
Female Other* = 24.5 (67%)
* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars
.5**= indicates a tandem bike with both a male and female riding it
General Note
- Not all bikes passing were able to be counted
- This count did not include pedestrians as they are not permitted on the bikeway
- This count includes cyclists going both North and South
- Due to this count beginning 10minutes later then the Bicentennial count the figures can not be directly compared.
- This count was conducted under the Vulture St overpass
- The weather was overcast with drizzle and moderate temperature but high humidity
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shaun Moran on -
Great stats. I am particularly happy to see the female cycling average much higher than I would have guessed (I would have said around 5%).
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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on -
I see it from the other end of the spectrum - 18% is woeful! I know that may be harsh, but I really think it is woeful...
You know conditions are good for cycling - everyday cycling, not just sport/recreation - when the Male:Female is closer to 1:1
See here (I used the tag 'women' to narrow the posts down). It's really what we should be aiming for.
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Permalink Reply by Raymond on -
There's of course also the rest of the non-cycling population - much of which does include men, but they're likely too afraid to openly express their concerns. This is not dissimilar to all those who are too ashamed to admit to have never had the opportunity to learn to ride. So on the whole, what we have left are the "brave" (as seen by the "non-cyclists").
It's bitter-sweet to see people at the CityCycle stations look & touch more than they use. Many people are clearly very interested about biking - they just don't find the current environment good enough to start so what we have by default are driving lessons for teenagers.
Not even police recruits get to try "sharing the road" from the other side! I think the closest they get are mountain bike pursuits only if they apply for the "division" after they're sworn in. I once (Ride to Work Day, 2011) overheard some very peculiar vehicular cycling theory from a couple of velocops replying to a citizen on how to access Fortitude Valley from Roma St. It was along the lines of "..um... - I'd try to keep left" (implying a practice to hug the gutter / kerb). It's only a small sample size, but of the large handful of times I've spotted velocops; it's been on shared paths away from motor traffic. If it's near a road, it tends anyway to be when the street is closed for large crowd events. I did once see them on road in Fortitude Valley but it took the appearance that they weren't going to hang around much longer. Something here is not quite right!
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Permalink Reply by Chris Cox on -
Saw a velocop at the corner of Adelaide and Edward Sts (on Adelaide). Waiting at the lights. In the gutter.
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Permalink Reply by Raymond on
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Ah well I guess it is still the council recommended route supported by the cyclist in the video here. Situation normal!
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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on
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Indeed! :)
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Permalink Reply by Big Steve on -
Spoke to my niece again last week. She's got 500m of road between her place and work (CBD) and is afraid she'll be flattened. :(
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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on
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The data over the past 20 years shows the female cycling participation rate (all types) in the order of 15-25%...
One place where they have a female participation rate higher than the rest of the country is in the Northern Territory. Something to do with allowing choice on helmet wearing for footpath & cycle path riding. More than 30% of their cyclists are female. That's no coincidence but try convincing 'those that know better' here...
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Permalink Reply by Raymond on
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It's probably not statistically significant, but the difference in proportion of road bikes on the SE Bikeway (especially with that rough Tarragindi section) vs Bicentennial could be interesting. ;)
I know on the days I'm feeling "fast", I prefer to not go near the SE Bikeway unless I'm only chasing the downhill from Griffith Uni heading north. Not only is the bikeway north of that section narrow and rough, but it's so full of "cyclists must dismount" crossings and driveways.
Also, I feel a little bad if I'm the only one using the O'Keefe St pedestrian/cycle crossing - usually instead I'll just pretend I'm a bus and head on road there to cross the road when I see a decent gap. At least I personally haven't seen drivers frustrated having to stop there (maybe it's timed alright for the lights further on or they're used to it), unlike the Miles Platting Rd crossing where I feel a real risk of road rage if I push the button - I had to ignore aggressive shouting/honking twice in one afternoon to the point where I was planning quick escape routes; Easter Saturday 2011 (no idea why they didn't just run the red, it's not like that's any more illegal).
It's stupid that in order to not make myself look to be not impeding motor traffic, I have to at times ignore "the perfectly good bikeway" (as some erroneously claim) and ride on road "with" the cars.
Oblig.: http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2011/02/all-those-myths-and-excuses-in-...
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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on
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Not really...
I think there was not *enough* distinction (and I am part of just about every 'type' of cyclist you can think of, with bikes to match...) actually. I'd like to know how many women were on situp-style bikes (they would be hidden in the "other" somewhere... along with hybrids, mountain bikes, recumbents, et al.
In countries where cycling for transport is *mainstream* (At least a modal share for all trips >15%, unlike our 1.8% or so...) you would be able to count the bicycles with drop bars on one hand during an average commute. You would also find that the male to female ratio very close to 1:1.
In Australia, most riders with drop bars would probably define themselves as 'avid' cyclists who ride for recreation as well as to work. They are not representative of the general population. You could also add to that those on road bikes with flat bars, etc. but then you start to get into that grey area of hybrid bikes, etc.
Face it. Within the last 20 years, if you are cycling in Australia you are part of a very small minority of which the majority within largely cycles for sport & recreation. The official figures also confirm this. "Encouraging" others to be "more like us" will never change these numbers... it's the same story around the world, although here in Australia we have an extra special disincentive... :-/
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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on
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Yes, I agree. Either have a greater range of 'types' or don't differentiate them at all. Just 'roadies or not' isn't terribly helpful!
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