Active transport — getting places by walking, cycling, or rolling — is one of the most powerful levers for better public health, reduced carbon emissions, and more liveable communities. Australia has long been a car-dependent nation, but attitudes are shifting. Cycling participation is growing. Walking is being recognised as critical infrastructure. New dedicated cycling paths are being built in cities. Grant funding supports the infrastructure, education, behaviour change, and advocacy needed to make active transport safe, accessible, and appealing for all Australians.
Current participation
Why active transport matters
The barriers
Infrastructure Australia
Active transport as part of national infrastructure investment.
Department of Infrastructure
State transport departments
Local government
Councils fund most local walking and cycling infrastructure — footpaths, local bike paths, pedestrian crossings.
Health departments
Active transport as a health promotion strategy — some state health funding.
Heart Foundation
Active transport as cardiovascular disease prevention.
National Heart Foundation Walking groups
Supported walking programmes.
Bicycle Network
Advocacy, education, and community cycling programmes (Victoria-based).
Amy Gillett Foundation
Cycling safety advocacy and education.
PeopleForBikes (US, but active in Australia)
Cycling advocacy.
VicHealth
Active transport grants in Victoria.
Local community foundations
Local cycling and walking infrastructure.
Infrastructure
School active travel
E-bike programmes
Bike share and bicycle access
Skills and confidence training
Advocacy and planning
Health-active transport integration
Women and cycling
Women cycle significantly less than men in Australia — addressing this gap:
- Women's cycling groups (Chicks Who Ride, Women's Cycling programmes)
- Safety-first approaches for women cyclists
- Social cycling environments
- Cycling without helmets discussion (helmet law debate)
Older adults and active transport
Disability and active transport
The most consistent finding in active transport research is that infrastructure investment dramatically increases participation. In Australia:
- Protected bike lanes increase female cycling participation (the "cycling diversity" indicator of good infrastructure)
- Connected networks are more effective than isolated paths
- Destinations (shops, schools, workplaces) linked by safe routes drive commuting
Grant applications for infrastructure have the clearest evidence — investment in connected infrastructure pays dividends in health, emissions, and community outcomes.
Health framing
Active transport is health infrastructure. The cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health, and obesity prevention benefits of cycling and walking are compelling to health funders. Frame infrastructure investment through health outcomes.
Equity
People without cars depend on active transport — low-income households, young people, elderly people, and people with disability are more dependent on walking infrastructure. Equity framing engages social funders.
Climate
Active transport is a climate solution — every car trip replaced by a bike or walk reduces emissions. Climate funders are increasingly supporting active transport.
E-bike access
E-bikes are transforming participation — particularly for older adults and people who live farther from destinations. Subsidised access for low-income households is an emerging and compelling funding priority.
Tahua's grants management platform supports active transport funders and community cycling organisations — with programme participant tracking, infrastructure outcome measurement, behaviour change data, and the reporting tools that help active transport funders demonstrate their investment in healthier, more connected, and more sustainable Australian communities.