An expert who played a pivotal role in shifting transport mobility towards sustainable modes in Vancouver Canada will address Australian experts attending the 2018 Australian Bicycle Summit in Sydney this June.

Dale Bracewell, Vancouver’s Manager of Transportation Planning, will provide the keynote address at We Ride Australia’s annual Summit which is attended by Government and corporate leaders, Australian bicycle organisations and industry representatives.

Mr Bracewell has been involved for almost two decades in Vancouver’s transportation planning that has seen motor vehicle trips to work decrease 10% while public transport trips have grown to nearly 30% of all work trips and bicycle trips to work have doubled.

“Our experience in Vancouver shows you can transform a global city and keep it moving while accommodating significant growth. Back in 1996 cars, trucks and vans made up 55% of our journeys to work which is almost identical to Greater Sydney’s current methods[i].

“20 years ago we started to prioritise sustainable transport ahead of private motor vehicles and now more people are using sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport” Mr Bracewell said.

“We’ve reached our first target of increasing all daily trips by sustainable modes to 50%.

“By creating a protected bike lane network and promoting it Vancouver increased daily trips by bicycle more than 50% between 2013 to 2016 alone,” he said.

We Ride Australia’s Director – National Advocacy, Stephen Hodge, said “the presence of Dale Bracewell at the Summit significantly adds to the interest in our program.

“With cities like Vancouver successfully reducing congestion, his input is perfectly timed as Sydney grapples with traffic congestion and roads and public transport struggle with capacity.

“Our major capital has much it can learn from Vancouver’s experience,” Mr Hodge said.

Dale Bracewell leads an expert program at the the 2018 Australian Bicycle Summit on Thursday, 21 June and Cycling Luminaries Awards which are announced in a Gala Dinner on 20 June.

Key facts

[i] City of Sydney, Community profile https://profile.id.com.au/sydney/travel-to-work