A Legislative Assembly inquiry has recommended the ACT government pursue e-bikes as part of the territory's transition to net-zero emissions.
The report noted "Canberra is one of the most-car dependent cities, not just in Australia but in the world", where more than 80 per cent travel to work by car.
The 2023 State of the Environment Report found only 13 per cent of Canberrans walk, cycle, or take public transport to work.
Missing e-bike investments
Pedal Power ACT, a not-for-profit promoting the use of bicycles across the territory, said there was a "significant gap" between what the government's policies and commitments promised and what had been delivered. In their submission to the inquiry, Pedal Power ACT said: "People do not cycle to save the planet. They only cycle in large numbers when it is quick, simple, healthy, safe, cheap and convenient. It is the government's job to make it so."
The ACT Council for Social Service said "there is no tangible delivery" on the government's commitment to introduce incentives to increase the uptake of electric bikes in 2023. The commitment was made as a part of the ACT government's Zero Emissions Strategy 2022-30.
The Sustainable Household Scheme does not currently include e-bikes, but the Minister for Emission Reduction Shane Rattenbury said it had "been the subject of a number of discussions in the assembly".
More 'ride to school' funding and programs
The inquiry recommended the ACT government provide more funding for cycling education and programs to encourage children and adults to ride.
Dr Simon Copland, then-executive director of Pedal Power ACT, relayed feedback on the lack, or poor quality of, cycling infrastructure across the territory, particularly around commutes to and from schools.
Dr Copland told the inquiry: "A lot of parents feel very uncomfortable letting their kids ride to school because they are required to ride on roads, are required to ride on degraded footpaths, and just do not have the infrastructure there."
Missing links in south and west
The committee recommended the government complete missing cycle lanes and path links in Tuggeranong, Woden, Belconnen and Ginninderry.
Pedal Power suggested the ACT Active Travel Plan 2024-2030 "demonstrates a lack of thinking about active travel in southern parts of the city".
The plan was developed to enable more Canberrans to walk and ride to commute, exercise or socialise. The plan, which was released earlier this year, states the government will continue to "investigate and respond to the community's suggestions and comments about the network, to improve safety, access and comfort".
The committee noted the Active Travel Plan did not present expected timelines of when identified upgrades could be completed.
Chief Minister absent from inquiry
Chief Minister Andrew Barr, in his capacity as Minister for Climate Action, declined to hear before the committee on three separate occasions.
Two out of the three members on the committee took the view that the various responses from the Chief Minister's office amounted to a refusal to give evidence.
The chair, Marisa Paterson MLA, dissented from this view.
Deputy chair of the committee Jo Clay MLA said it was "extremely disappointing" the Chief Minister refused to appear before this parliamentary committee.
The Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity released its report earlier this week.
