Bike riding has declined by 20 per cent in the past 12 months in Whittlesea, according to the latest Bicycle Network Victoria statistics.
On March 3, the network conducted its annual Super Tuesday Bike Count to measure cycling commuter numbers in the morning peak between 7am and 9am.
The national survey was completed by volunteers, who were stationed at points along bike paths across the country. There were 20 sites to count during the two-hour peak period through Whittlesea – recording a 20 per cent decline in cyclists from the previous year.
Bicycle Network Victoria’s general manager of government and external relations, Chris Carpenter, said on Super Tuesday last year, 11 counting stations had been set up in the city of Whittlesea.
“When comparing those same 11 sites, between 2014 and 2015, there was a 20 per cent decrease in the number of bike riders counted,” Mr Carpenter said.
“However, as bicycle routes improve people can change the route they take. This may have occurred in the city of Whittlesea.
“That said, considerable more work is required across the country in order to get more people bike riding.”
Mr Carpenter said despite Whittlesea council’s ongoing work to improve infrastructure and conditions for bike riders, more is needed so residents can enjoy the enormous health benefits regular bike riding brings.
South Morang resident and keen cyclist Anthony Di Berardino volunteered on the Super Tuesday to count the riders passing the corner of Findon Road and Ferres Boulevard at South Morang.
He said he noticed a surprising number of female bike riders despite women making up just 23 per cent of the total number of bike commuters counted across Australia.
He attributed the overall decline in cycling participation in Whittlesea to the closure of bike shops, including the popular Bike n’Bean in South Morang.
“People might be struggling to find a place to buy a bike or have theirs fixed,” he said.
