Independent Member for Kurrajong, Thomas Emerson MLA, will bring a motion to the Legislative Assembly today focused on addressing gaps in the ACT’s footpath and bike path networks.
Supported by community advocacy groups including the Conservation Council ACT and Pedal Power ACT, the motion calls for a range of actions from the ACT Government, including:
- Publishing a comprehensive list of all residential streets in the ACT that do not currently have a complete footpath on at least one side of the street;
- Developing a full costing for addressing all current gaps in the ACT’s footpath network;
- Developing a full costing for completing the Cycling Network Map in the ACT’s Active Travel Plan;
- Considering legislative options to require developers and builders to maintain safe and convenient pedestrian access around their construction sites.
Mr Emerson said Canberra should be a nation leader when it comes to active travel infrastructure, but is currently ranked the least walkable major city in the country.
“There’s huge potential for Canberra to be a nation leader when it comes to giving greater priority to bike paths and footpaths in our transport infrastructure mix,” Mr Emerson said.
“Canberra is ranked as less walkable than all other capital cities in Australia, but also places like the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, and even Albury.
“We can change that. We have a beautiful natural environment with clean air and an active population, as well as strong community support for moving away from being such a heavily car-dependent city. We’re going to need greater ambition from the government to make that happen.
”The decisions we make today are creating the city we want for future generations, and we need the courage to avoid populist decisions that ultimately don’t align with our community’s long-term aspirations.
“Much of Canberra’s active travel network is incomplete. We’ve all encountered the bike paths on major roads that suddenly disappear, leaving you stranded.
”The ACT Active Travel Plan is a great document. Let’s get on with delivering it.”
Mr Emerson also pointed to the cross-portfolio benefits of investing in active travel infrastructure.
“Investing in active travel is good public policy. It has immense cross-portfolio benefits and can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of Canberrans,” Mr Emerson said.
”We need more of this kind of upstream investment to prevent chronic illness and avoid further strain on our already-drowning health system, yet many of our streets still don’t have a footpath.
“I’m calling for an ambitious plan for completing the ACT’s cycling and footpath network.”
Mr Emerson will ask the ACT Government to report back to the Assembly on progress made against the actions in the motion by September 2026.
Quote attributable to Simon Copland, Executive Director of the Conservation Council ACT
“To achieve zero emissions in the ACT, we need to do all we can to help encourage people out of their cars and to use active travel to get where they are going. We know people want to do this, but are often stopped by poor infrastructure on our streets. Delivering new footpaths for all streets and completing Canberra's proposed cycling network will go a long way to helping people feel more comfortable walking and riding to their location. This will reduce emissions and boost people's health across the city.”
Quote attributable to Cecily Michaels, Executive Director of Pedal Power ACT
“Pedal Power strongly supports this motion. A footpath on every street and investment in the Cycling Network Map will make our suburbs safer, more connected, and more inclusive — whether you are walking, riding, pushing a pram, or using a mobility aid. Funding these active travel links is essential to reduce congestion, improve health outcomes, and help Canberra meet its climate goals.”
Media Enquiries: Will Devine | [email protected] | 0402 183 296
Background:
You can find the motion here.