New bike network grants to focus on public transport connections

• Government announces updated Western Australian Bicycle Network Grants Program
• Grants program will be split across metropolitan and regional streams
• Metro stream will focus on projects within two kilometres of METRONET stations
• The regional stream of the program will continue unchanged
• The revised grants program will now consider a four-year program period to help facilitate higher value projects
• First grant round under new program expected to open in July 2024

The Western Australian Bicycle Network (WABN) Grants Program has undergone a refresh to better deliver on the State Government's priorities aligned to the long-term cycle network for Perth, Peel and across our regions.

The program will continue to be delivered in two streams across metropolitan Perth and regional WA.

The metropolitan stream of the program will now have a specific focus on projects within two kilometres of new METRONET stations, to help fill significant gaps to key public transport sites.

The regional stream will continue to prioritise connectivity to town centres and schools, as well as cycle tourism or recreational opportunities.

METRONET is a core priority for the Cook Labor Government, and the updates to the WABN Grants Program will ensure people can safely and more easily walk, wheel and ride to new stations, activity centres and other key destinations as part of their everyday journeys and experiences.

The revised grants program will also consider a four-year program period, rather than the current two. This will help facilitate higher value projects as well as provide local government greater certainty, ensuring quality planning, design and construction that will enhance safety and accessibility of critical active transport routes.

Local governments will be invited to apply for WABN grant funding in July 2024, for projects commencing from 2024-25.

The WABN Grants form part of a significant pipeline of investment by the Cook Labor Government, to expand active transport infrastructure across the State.

Since 2017, the State Government has invested in excess of $300 million to deliver more than 240 kilometres of walking and riding routes, including around 103 kilometres of principal shared paths (PSP), which form part of the primary network. A further $310 million is committed over the next four years to develop an additional 221 kilometres of walking and riding infrastructure, including about 101 kilometres of PSP.

For more information, visit the WABN Grants Program webpage.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Our Government is investing at record levels to deliver an active transport network that supports all Western Australians to walk, wheel and ride as part of their everyday journeys and experiences.

"Through METRONET, we're transforming Perth's suburbs, and by refreshing our local government bike network grants program, we're complementing this work to slash congestion and give people more choice in how they move around our city.

"Making it easier for people to walk, wheel and ride to public transport, activity centres and other key destinations allows for greater social inclusion and interaction.

"Active travel is a healthy, cost-effective and sustainable way to get around, and by better aligning our funding programs to the long-term cycle network for Perth, Peel and across our regions, we will deliver better-connected and more vibrant towns and cities."