An old form of transport could be the solution to a new Canberra problem with Pedal Power pushing residents fed up with parking and congestion to choose bikes over cars.
The cycling advocacy group has recognised the ongoing development of the city will no doubt create more congestion as the population grows and car parks are lost to construction.
Pedal Power ACT chief executive Ian Ross said road congestion was only set to increase with light rail construction set to reduce traffic flow to about 20 per cent on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
"There has never been a better time to give active travel a go," Mr Ross said. "Thousands of Canberrans already ride into the city each day, but there are thousands more who might like to try it."
In 2016, when the most recent census data was collected, just 3 per cent of Canberra residents reported riding to work regularly.
Mr Ross said cycling to commute was expected to have increased significantly over the last couple of years, with the pandemic resulting in more people cycling more regularly.
"The flip side of the active travel boom is that we are going to see an increase in vulnerable road users exposed on our roads," Mr Ross said.
Pedal Power ACT has thrown its support behind a Greens proposal to better protect cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists by adding an offence - negligent driving, harm to vulnerable road user - to the transport act.
If passed, the legislation would result in the loss of 50 penalty points and a maximum fine of $1600.
Mr Ross said Canberra was quite a safe city for cyclists, however, bike crash statistics had been increasing year-on-year over the last 10 years.
He said off-road paths weren't well-connected or well-maintained, which put cyclists at unnecessary risk.
Cyclists also reported abusive behaviour, cars passing too close and drivers failing to give way each week, he said.
Mr Ross spoke on Monday at a launch event for police, who will target drivers that put cyclists at risk during August.
Detective acting inspector Paul Hutcheson said officers would also be looking out for cyclists who take chances with their own safety.
He said generally there was compliance with helmet laws, however, police regularly stopped cyclists who had their helmets hanging off handlebars rather than on their heads.
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