World’s Most Bike-Friendly Cities - Perth No. 8

[rolandp]

From The World’s Most Bike-Friendly Cities:

8. Perth, Australia
Perth is home to over 700 km of dedicated bike lanes and paths, and its government provides excellent maps and resources. In addition, the city holds an annual celebration of all things bicycle, dedicated to promoting and developing its urban cycling culture.

Is this a fair statement, given that Perth does not have 700km of DEDICATED bike paths, most are shared paths?

Should we be No. 8 in the world?

[eldavo]

It seems to be a blog post someone has written without any depth to it. Kind of feels like something The Project would quote to prompt their smug hipster ante of talkback radio responses from the audience.

Not suggesting that is your style Mr.P, but it's the kind of thing that should be buried with lime rather than propogated.

[rolandp]

10 bike-friendly cities around the globe. Perth indicated as No. 7

7 Bike friendly cities for row wheeling. Perth indicated as No. 4

The World's Top Biking Cities. Perth indicated as No. 5

The 15 Most Bike Friendly Cities In The World. Perth indicated as No. 2

Am I missing something?

[Leon NoR]

Perth infrastructure is very good. When I first moved to Perth I was delighted with cycling infrastructure. However as the years progressed and I got used to it I also started complaining (Hutton, Karrinyup etc etc). Then I lived in Montreal for about three years.

I can say without hesitation that Perth's cycling infrastructure is far better than that of Montreal. There is more of it and the build quality is better. So today I enjoy what we have. Can it be better? Yes. Is it already very good? absolutely!

[citywomble]

Hi Roland,

An interesting set of facts, in part misinformation.

In my opinion, on the surface, there is no doubt that the network of shared paths provides a good cycling environment and provides access to some great places in a great climate. For the casual cyclist, who drives there with a bike rack, or happens to live close to good facilities it is good.

But, only just over 1% cycle for transport so a top ten position cannot be justified. One reason it works at present, ironically, is that Perth is a very car centric city. Lack of footpaths, low density and large distances between destinations means that few people walk. So, the relative few that do cycle do not place a great strain on shared paths.

The harsh facts:
Dedicated bike lanes are very few and far between. Most are at best advisory with no enforcement and the only thing that prevents them from being obstructed by parked cars is a reluctance to park on most 'busy' roads where the pseudo lanes are.
Dedicated Bike paths again don't exist much and are instead shared paths where the pedestrian had right of way.

Fortunately it currently works reasonably well but only because both pedestrian and cycling numbers are low by world standards. At current levels it works reasonably well and, on the surface the facilities, where they are present, appear to be good and provide a great riding experience. Where this will fall down is if cycling numbers increase much as, without better alternatives and substantial investment, the current facilities will not be able to cope.

Imagine a 5% cycling modeshare coupled with additional pedestrian demand on the bike paths in the No 8 city.

[Red Rider]

I think most of the top 10 would be taken up by Dutch cities. But then the list wouldn't make for such wordly reading.

[yugyug]

I think most of the top 10 would be taken up by Dutch cities. But then the list wouldn't make for such wordly reading.

And after the 10 Dutch cities there would be 5 Danish cities followed by 10 Japanese cities. Agree, these kind of lists are stupid.

[Timeonabike]

Perth is the number 5 in cities that are listed in lists.

[eldavo]

Perth is the number 5 in cities that are listed in lists.

9 out of 10 experts agree.

[yugyug]

Does the master list of lists which list Perth as a bicycle friendly city include itself?

[Pravda]

Surely we get some points for weather? Copenhagen and Amsterdam havent got !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! on Perth there.

Sent from my GT-I9507 using Tapatalk

[franjae]

Minus points for wind!

[eldavo]

Windiest city in Australia allegedly, and anywhere from 10th to 29th in quick scan of global lists (some dodgy one saying capital cities, what tie polotical legal has to population and wind... oh more hot air)

[cyclotaur]

Perth is the number 5 in cities that are listed in lists.

9 out of 10 experts agree.

[woody81]

Maybe they just got the wrong Perth. How's there one in bonny Scotland?

[Downhill]

Plus points for tailwind! Good ol' Freo Doctor. Very dependable. And cool, too.

[jlh]

The list was probably determined by someone who hasn't actually ridden in each city, which would make Perth drop down a lot I think due to the drivers.