Push on bicycle parking

THERE are calls for bicycle parking to be mandated for all new Tasmanian apartment complexes and workplaces, amid concern people could be deterred from using active transport under the state’s planning provisions.

Bicycle Network Tasmania is urging the state government to make “secure, undercover” bike parking a mandatory requirement for future developments.

The submission coincides with the government undertaking a review of the statewide planning process.

“The state planning provisions take us backwards when it comes to helping people to ride a bicycle for transport,” Bicycle Network Tasmania public affairs manager Alison Hetherington said.

Ms Hetherington said interim planning schemes, which were used in anticipation of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme being rolled out statewide, required secure and undercover bike parking for workers.

“But under the state provisions, developers just have to supply hoops outside the building,” she said.

“When people lock up their bikes and head off to their day or shift at work they want to be sure their bike is there when they finish. If they are forced to lock it up in the street it might be enough of a deterrent not to ride.

“Making it easier for people to ride a bike for transport makes sense in urban areas, especially for people moving into new apartment buildings.

“Many of the new apartments that have been approved or built are perfectly positioned for people to get around by bike but the state provisions do not require bike parking or provide guidance on what it should look like.”

A government spokesman said the review of the planning provisions began recently, with a scoping paper being used to “help identify key issues and direct the review’s focus to those provisions that need to be revised”.

“It will also help us prioritise our response to the issues raised,” the spokesman said.

The scoping paper is open for comment until August 12 and is available at planning reform.tas.gov.au