Pedal Power Joins National Coalition Calling for Nine Practical Measures to Ease Fuel Cost Pressures
Pedal Power has joined a national coalition of transport, walking, and public health organisations calling for fast, practical action to help Australians respond to rising fuel costs. The joint statement outlines nine low-cost ideas that can be implemented quickly to reduce fuel use, ease cost-of-living pressures, and give people more options for how they move around their communities.
The coalition’s message is simple: the fuel crisis is not going away anytime soon, and extending fuel tax cuts alone does little to reduce fuel dependence or provide lasting relief for households. Instead, governments should invest in practical measures that help people walk, ride, and use public transport more easily for everyday trips.
Many daily trips in Australian cities are already short enough to be completed without a car. Around two-thirds of urban car trips are under 5km, meaning safer streets, more reliable public transport, and better support for bicycle use can make a real difference for families trying to manage rising transport costs.
The nine ideas include:
Crossings and footpaths near schools, shops and stops
Pop-up bike lanes on key commuter routes
More frequent public transport services
Pop-up bus-priority lanes
Shorter wait times at push-button crossings
Fuel-saving speed limits
$100 vouchers for bicycle repairs
Rapid grants for bike parking and end-of-trip upgrades
$500 vouchers to support bicycle purchases
These ideas are designed to be practical, affordable, and fast to implement. Together, they would cost only a fraction of extending fuel excise cuts, while also delivering long-term benefits through healthier communities, safer streets, reduced congestion, and lower household transport costs.
Pedal Power Executive Director Cecily Michaels said the proposals focus on practical measures that can be implemented now.
“These practical actions can make a real difference to reducing fuel use and easing cost-of-living pressures while improving health and wellbeing,” Ms Michaels said.
“The fuel crisis is not going away anytime soon, so we need practical ideas that help households reduce fuel costs while ensuring fuel remains available for the people who genuinely need it.”
Ms Michaels said Canberra had already taken an important step in this direction, with the ACT Legislative Assembly recently passing a motion introduced by Andrew Braddock MLA supporting trials of temporary pop-up cycle lanes.
“One of the recommendations in the national statement is the use of pop-up cycle lanes as a low-cost way to rapidly improve safety and support more people to ride for everyday trips,” Ms Michaels said.
“It is encouraging to see the ACT Assembly already recognising the potential of these practical approaches.”
Pedal Power looks forward to working constructively with the ACT Government on opportunities to implement recommendations from the national campaign that can help reduce fuel use, ease household transport costs and support healthier, more connected communities.
Pedal Power is proud to support this coalition alongside organisations from across Australia working in transport, public health, walking and cycling advocacy. As Canberra continues to grow, giving people more safe and convenient transport options will help keep our city connected, active, and affordable.
Supported by a coalition including Pedal Power ACT, Bicycle Network, Bicycle NSW, Bicycle Queensland, Better Streets, WeRide Australia, Queensland Walks, BikeSA, WestCycle, and leading public health organisations across Australia.
