Travel Patterns and Cycling opportunites The Household Travel Survey is the largest and most comprehensive source of information on the travel patterns of residents of the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area (GMA) which includes the Gosford Statistical Subdivision. Key Transport Indicators Figure 2.1 indicates that a significant proportion of all trips (60%) made in the Sydney GMA are less than 5 km in distance and that the most dominant mode of transport for short trips (up to 5 km) is the private motor vehicle (60%).. Figure 2.1 Sydney Trips by Distance and Transport Mode Source: 2008/09 Household Travel Survey Summary Report (TDC), Table 4.4.4 Proportion of all trips by distance Gosford City 2016 Target for bicycles (Bicycles 5% of trips up to 5km) 5-10km 17% Up to 5km 60% 10-20km 13% Vehicles 60% Walk only 30% Public Transport 8% More than 20km 10% Bicycles 0% Other Walk only 0% Public Transport 23% Vehicles 76% Bicycles Other Proportion of trips (Up to 5km) by mode Proportion of trips (More than 20km) by mode 13
An analysis of car trips by purpose is provided in Figure 2.2 which shows that motorised travel for commuting and education has a significant effect on am/pm peak hour traffic. In addition, recent data from Austroads shows that close to 40% of all private car trips made in Australia are less than 3 km in distance. Figure 2.2 Sydney motorised trips for selected purposes by time of day, average weekday, 2008/09. Source: 2008/09 Household Travel Survey Summary Report (TDC), page 17 Number of travellers 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 Commute WRB Education/Childcare Drop-off/Pick-up Discretionary Commute 0 12am 1am 2am 3am 4am 5am 6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12pm 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm 12am Education / Childcare The above data indicates that a significant proportion of all trips currently made by private vehicles could be comfortably made by bicycle. The data also suggests that increased commuter cycling, including bicycle trips to transport and schools, could help reduce the level of traffic congestion during peak periods. Source: RMIT, 1999; Austroads, 2005 8:00am 12:00noon 3:30pm 5:30pm travel patterns & cycling opportunities 14
Travel to Work & Rail According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006, the predominant mode of travel to work in Gosford is by private motor vehicle, with 63.5% of all journeys to work made by car, while walking (2.2%) and cycling (0.4%) were significantly less popular (Fig 2.3). Analysis of the method of travel to work of the residents in Gosford City in 2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division shows that a larger percentage of people used a private vehicle as method of travel to work, while a smaller percentage of people walked, cycled and used public transport. Furthermore according to the results of an interview survey undertaken by GTA Consultants in 2008 at Gosford Railway Station, the most dominant mode of transport used by rail commuters was the private car (73%), with 59% as drivers and 14% being dropped off, followed by bus (16%) and walking (9 %). Figure 2.3 & 2.4 provides a detailed breakdown of transport mode used by rail commuters to Gosford Station. The GTA survey also indicates that 72% of drivers drove to the station alone. In addition, 53% of all respondents originated from within the postcode area 2250, which includes Gosford and its surrounding suburbs. The data in Figure 2.3 & 3.4 shows Car as driver as the predominant mode of transport to work and to the railway station in Gosford, representing a high potential demand for more commuter cycling and less car usage. 15
Figure 2.3 Mode of travel to work. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006 Figure 2.4 Transport Mode to Gosford Station - June 2008 Source: Gosford Parking Study, Final Report, GTA Consultants travel patterns & cycling opportunities 70% 60% 50% 59% No. of responses = 464 % responses 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 14% 16% 9% Car (drive) Drop off Bus Taxi Walk Cycle Other Mode of travel 16
17 Central Coast region has one of the highest rates of bike ownership in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area
Bicycle Ownership & Journey to Work According to the ABS Census 2006 and as shown in Table 2.1 the Central Coast region has one of the highest rates of bike ownership in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area, suggesting a significant interest in cycling and considerable potential for increased participation. On the other hand, the 2006 Census also indicates that the rate of cycling for journey to work by residents actually declined in the Gosford region from 2001 to 2006. Developing the Draft Gosford Bike Strategy 2010 is an important step towards increasing bicycle participation. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Cencus 2006, Journey to Work Table 2.1 - Gosford City Centre Future Parking Targets Source: Gosford Parking Study, Final Report, GTA Consultants Statistical Bicycles Resident Bicycles Bike Trips* SSD Share of Subdivision Bike Trips* Per Household Bicycles Bike Trips Inner Sydney 79,001 14,752 0.56 0.11 5.3% 11.2% Eastern Suburbs 62,296 7,438 0.61 0.07 4.2% 5.7% Inner Western Sydney 48,082 5,512 0.75 0.09 3.2% 4.2% Lower Northern Sydney 87,674 8,865 0.70 0.07 5.9% 6.8% Canterbury - Bankstown 73,164 9,022 0.69 0.08 4.9% 6.9% Central Northern Sydney 166,710 12,748 1.19 0.09 11.3% 9.7% Northern Beaches 102,330 9,591 1.14 0.11 6.9% 7.3% St George - Sutherland 166,528 14,902 1.03 0.09 11.3% 11.4% Central Western Sydney 80,219 5,636 0.75 0.05 5.4% 4.3% Fairfield - Liverpool 100,961 9,850 0.91 0.09 6.8% 7.5% Outer Western Sydney 165,693 10,878 1.52 0.10 11.2% 8.3% Outer Sth Western 91,473 4,691 1.17 0.06 6.2% 3.6% Blacktown 105,732 5,775 1.16 0.06 7. 4.4% Gosford - Wyong 150,259 11,589 1.27 0.10 10.2% 8.8% Total Sydney SD 1,480,120 131,249 0.96 0.08 100.0% 100.0% travel patterns & cycling opportunities 18