Have you ever thought about cycling or walking to work, to school, the local shops or to visit family and friends in Ipswich but decided it was all too hard? Do you already walk or cycle as a means of transport?
If so, Ipswich City Council wants to hear from you as part of a new community survey aimed at identifying trends and attitudes toward cycling and walking.
Residents including parents with children, the elderly, commuters and university students are being asked to share their views.
The survey is being conducted to help inform council’s iGo Active Transport Strategy, which is a key action from the visionary iGo Transport Plan.
The draft was released for public comment last year as council’s plan for a sustainable transport future. The final plan is due out later this year.
It sets out an aspirational target for walking and cycling to make up 11% and 3% respectively of daily transport trips by the time Ipswich’s population reaches 435,000.
Currently, walking accounts for 8.5% of daily trips and cycling 0.5%.
An Ipswich City Council spokeswoman said the survey results would help guide how council tackled the task of encouraging more people to leave the car behind in favour of walking or cycling.
“We have compiled the hard data, the numbers; what this survey is about is collecting on-the-ground feedback from people who don’t currently walk or cycle and those who use cycling or walking as a means of transport,” the spokeswoman said.
“From this we hope to gain an insight into what is stopping some people choosing these types of transport or stopping them from choosing these modes more often.
“A major focus of the iGo Transport Plan is making sure we are directing council funds to where we can get the most value for money for Ipswich ratepayers.
“If we can identify and understand some of the barriers that prevent people from choosing cycling or walking as a means of transport it will allow us to take a targeted approach to making these forms of active transport more convenient and user-friendly.
“This survey is a chance for residents to help shape a sustainable transport future for Ipswich.
“We know providing a transport system that encourages people to combine regular exercise through walking or cycling with their daily travel requirements offers a great chance to improve community health levels and reduce pressure on the health care system.”
Original Publish: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/