Rodney Olsen reports on another commuter challenge, this time in Perth. Over a 13km route, the bike came in six minutes before the car – and took in the sights of the beautiful Swan River to boot.
I couldn't find the news story itself on thewest.com.au, but I did come across this related story:
Perth's rapidly expanding outer suburbs look set to cause traffic chaos on arterial roads, as Main Roads WA forecasts that vehicle numbers will treble on some routes.
Drivers face gridlock on many suburban roads and highways — the worst affected areas are in the city's growth zones in the east, south-east and Mandurah, traffic projections for 2031 reveal.
And what solutions do the planners have in mind? More roads, of course:
Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman said the new highway would get only 20 per cent of inbound traffic off local roads and a new entry road was needed. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the Government's transport strategies included the Roe Highway extensions of the past five years, the extension of Tonkin Highway to Byford, improving traffic flow at major intersections like Orrong Road and Leach Highway and commitments to extend the Mitchell Freeway north, the Reid Highway east and building the new Perth to Bunbury highway.
Oh yeah, and maybe they might consider a few other things after they've done all that…
Ms MacTiernan said public transport initiatives and better urban design would also ease dependence on cars.
Perth is a beautiful city and well suited to cycling. It also has an excellent public transport system. It would be a real shame to see it disappear under a tangle of multi-lane motorways. It so easily could become Australia's answer to Los Angeles, but let's hope not.