Introduction

Nanayakkara et al., (2018a) identify the dilemma of Tarneit’s poorly integrated transport network while Nanayakkara et al., (2018b) recognise the role performed by the suburb’s poor approach to encourage walking and cycling within the suburb. This plan aims to explore and identify the potential role of cycling for the purpose of transport within the suburb.

The primary audience this plan is intended for are Wyndham City Council and the Victoria State Government as a plan shaped by the Tarneit community and an independent body to identify how cycling for transport can be made conducive and possible within the suburb to achieve the goal of majority of Tarneit residents travelling within the suburb by bicycle for everyday needs by 2050.

This paper focuses on cycling for transport as its use as a mode of transport for travel is limited within Tarneit based on the journey to work data for the suburb (Profile.id, 2016) and observations made during the site visit (Nanayakkara et al., 2018a). For the purpose of this plan, ‘cycling for transport/travel’ is understood as cycling for commuter trips for everyday needs such from home to a workplace or education, the station and local shops; commonly within 45 min of travel (Transport for Victoria, 2017). It aims to build a Tarneit which is conducive to cycling for travel for the residents ‘interested but concerned’ with cycling in Tarneit. This is based on the findings of Geller who identified that the majority (60% of Portland, Oregon’s population) are interested but concerned cyclists in his classification of four types of cyclists based on their attitudes to cycling (Pucher et al., 2010).

This plan intends to encourage the ‘interested but concerned’ population of Tarneit to cycle for journeys up to 45 minutes using soft and hard measures such as education and policy and physical infrastructure. Forsyth and Krizek (2010) identify that combined strategies such as education and physical infrastructure or pricing and infrastructure are the most effective means to increasing cycling in a neighbourhood other than for provision of infrastructure. This plan adopts a multipronged approach to go beyond addressing the primary need of the ‘interested but concerned’ which is the provision of separate and secure infrastructure to help them feel comfortable to cycle.

Some of the key reasons why this strategy is needed:

The use of cycling to travel and journey short trips such as to the station has the potential to significantly reduce the burden placed on the roads for travel, particularly in the face of the rapid population growth occurring in the suburb. It can provide a more efficient and healthier alternative to travel by car and cater to local travel needs not sufficiently provided for by the local bus services (See Nanayakkara et al., 2018a) and further support the local economy. It addresses the Tarneit specific concerns and input provided by the community on the Draft Cycling Strategy for Wyndham and relevant state and local policies.

The layout of the plan is summarised in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Structure of the Tarneit Cycling for Transport Strategy (TCTS)