As Australia’s cities continue to grow, policies that incentivise more people to walk, cycle, and ride electric devices could help reduce congestion. However, less than 1% of federal road funding is spent on active transportation. This paper argues that unless funding is increased, Australia will continue to lack the infrastructure needed to reduce car dependency.

The authors call on local, state, territory and commonwealth governments to increase active transport investment to the equivalent of at least 10% of road-related expenditure. There are three major ways in which Australian governments could help increase rates of active transportation: 

1. improving infrastructure;
2. allowing for the use of personal e-mobility devices through appropriate legislation; and
3. creating financial incentives for the purchase of bicycles, e-bikes and other similar modes of transportation. 

Specifically, the Commonwealth, state and territory, and local governments could coordinate the implementation of policies that would:

• Subsidise the purchase of e-bikes.
• Apply the subsidies currently available for EVs to e-bikes.
• Introduce a scrapping scheme for old cars in exchange for e-bike rebates or public transport tickets.
• Legalise private e-scooters in all states and territories, with supporting rules, regulation, and infrastructure.
• Ensure transport and road legislation includes requirements for active transport infrastructure. 
• Introduce a tax-deductible per/km ride to work mileage allowance.
• Make infrastructure safer to encourage more use of active transport and public transport.
• Increase funding for active transportation to the equivalent of at least 10% of road-related expenditure.