Nat Bromhead
In the largest ever study of its kind undertaken in Australia funded by governments, bicycle and e-scooter industry, motoring and bicycle groups, the 2023 WeRide Australian Cycling and eScooter Economy Report has been released and you can read the full report here.
Highlighting and reinforcing cycling’s importance in delivering ‘triple bottom line outcomes’, the report outlines the significant economic, health and environmental benefits the sport delivers.
It reveals that that in 2022 the cycling sector generated:
- More than 60,000 jobs (FTE) and $18.6 billion in economic and social contribution from cycling and e-scooter use
- Cycling contributed $954 million in health and social benefits including $313 million in savings to the Australia health system, and
- Cycling avoided 514,096 tonnes of CO2e in greenhouse gas emissions, through replacing 3.9 billion kilometres of motor vehicle travel.
- The report states that in Australia in 2022 6.5 million adults cycled
- Over 58,000 jobs (FTE) were created by cycling
- $16.9 billion total contribution from cycling
- 2.2 million kg air pollutants avoided, and
- There was $1.9 billion of direct output from cycle tourism nationally.
WeRide’s Executive Officer Peter Bourke said “the triple bottom line benefits of the sector are significant, generating thousands of jobs as well as providing health and environmental benefits, making investment in cycling and e-scooters a national imperative.
“Not only did the sector contribute over $18bn in economic, health and social benefits to Australia in 2022, cycling also avoided the release of 514,096 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions and 2.2 million kilograms of air pollutants into the atmosphere across the year, with bike commuting replacing the equivalent of $3.9bn km’s of motor vehicle travel.”
“The report also highlights the importance of cycling to the regions, for the first time providing a detailed picture of the positive impact of cycle tourism, valued at $1.9bn nationally,” Mr Bourke said.
The report by EY, with support from Program Partners including RACV and the Amy Gillett Foundation, highlighted that cycling also generates considerable cost of living benefits for Australians.
The extensive research conducted as part of the study found that a large proportion of adults would cycle more often if there was better infrastructure and programs to make cycling easier and safer.
The full report can be read and downloaded here.
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