Submissions

Guidelines for addressing the Bicycle in Plans

Responding to:
Draft Regional and Sub-regional Plans, City Centre Plans, Local Plans and Plans of Management for parks and open space, or any big transport or road project

Introduction and Background
It is very important to ensure plans that guide and control future land use, land management and transportation cater for bicycle travel. Bikes are suitable for many trips not just for recreation.
If plans do not set out aims and objectives that encourage active transportation and have policies, programs and provisions that require consideration or development of bicycle infrastructure and otherwise encourage cycling, then this travel mode will not be adequately catered for in the future. This will see the planning mistakes of the past, where cyclists' needs have been ignored, continued in the future.
Remember, cyclists need a linear connected network - along streets and pathways - and facilities at destinations. Safety and convenience for cycling are key criteria to look for in all plans and projects.

These guidelines help BUGs and individuals interested in cycling to examine exhibited plans and projects and make useful submissions to ensure they are made good for convenient and safe cycling.
This guide is based on looking at draft City Centre Plans. The approach and principles may generally be applied to all types of plans, including for large road, transport and parks projects.

What to look for and do
Exhibition of plans
Plans/projects must be exhibited and submissions, or objections, considered before they are legally made and come into effect or approved. Good submissions can lead to changes being made to plans/projects.
BUGs should arrange for its Secretary or a nominated project officer, to watch for notices of exhibition of plans or projects affecting their area in the local newspaper. For state government level land use plans subscribe to the Department of Planning email Newsletter: http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.asp   
What follows should help in making a submission. The submission should address what you consider are omissions or corrections that should/could be made to the plan/project to ensure cycling is fully provided for when the plan is implemented or when developments under the plan or the projects, happen.

Know your area and be ready

BUGs should have some basic procedures in place:

• Ensure you have access to and know your local Bike Plan(s). Most Councils have such a plan.
• List(s) of needed bicycle infrastructure and desirable projects at hand.
• Arrange for a stand-by response group to respond to exhibited plans or major projects.
• Arrange for a stand-by response group to respond to exhibited plans or major projects.

Examining a plan/project
Usually, transport and land use plans/projects need or at least ought to provide for cycling. Plans and major projects follow similar forms describing the proposals.

Their examination and the submission made, should follow the documented sections sequentially, if possible.
Step 1: Peruse plan/project generally looking for:
Active transport initiatives - walking and cycling. That is, look under statements dealing with: transport; amenity; and subject areas such as urban design (planning spaces and places), open space, landscaping, parking, streets/roads, pathways, accessibility and even economics and social aspects.
All these areas should have clear statements addressing bicycling for equitable access. Also, usually where walking/ pedestrians are mentioned, look for bike riding/cycling. Mark where cycling ought or should be mentioned

Step 2: Does the Vision/Objectives of the plan/project address cycling?
Plans/projects usually set out their aims and the context and/or reasons for the plan/project.
Look for active transport - cycling, in the Vision, Aims, Goals, Objectives and/or Principles statements. Decide and note where, when & how cycling may sensibly/appropriately be addressed there.

Step 3: What policies/provisions/standards/proposals of the plans/projects cover cycling?
Most plans and projects have separate sections which set out the above mentioned, explaining what the plan/project covers, allows or proposes and the circumstances/standards governing the planning programs, development or the project(s) they encourage or allow. Again decide where, when & how cycling fits.
Look for whether bicycle infrastructure connecting neighbourhoods to their facilities is there. That is, are people able to travel conveniently from their home to work, shop, learn and play (i.e go to their local shop or shopping centre, schools, public institutions, community facilities, parks and the like) by bike. Is a bicycle network or connections to it, proposed? Are facilities at key destinations covered? If not well addressed, then request what is needed/should be provided in some detail and if possible, give reasons.

Step 4: Do the maps, detailed plans diagrams/drawings or photos cover cycling?
Most plans/projects have these to illustrate and help understanding the area/space covered by them.
Look for whether bicycle routes to and through an area are shown and cross

barriers (e.g. railways, rivers and major roads) connecting neighbourhoods to important facilities and services. Photos and diagrams showing people using streets/spaces should also show cyclists, to alert people to this out-of-mind option.

Action and conclusion
Making a submission
A simple prose response is OK. Always add information why cycling needs to be addressed. A more complex submission, with a covering letter, depends on the capabilities available to the individual or group.
Importantly: Look out for plans/projects on exhibition, review and make a submission. This is very important to ensure people can freely choose the way they travel for shorter trips for which the bike is best.