Australia Yearbook - 2009-10

% of persons
10
8
2.5 WALK OR CYCLE TO WORK OR FULL-TIME STUDY
Walk (2006)
Walk (2009)
Cycle (2006)
Cycle (2009)
6
4
2
0
NSW Vic. Qld SA WA Tas. NT ACT Aust.
Source: Environmental Issues: Waste Management and Transport Use (4602.0.55.002).
because of price/cost while 20% did so because
they did not own a motor vehicle and 19% used
public transport because of parking concerns.
Lack of service continued to be one of the main
reasons why people in Australia did not use
public transport (graph 2.4). In March 2009, 27%
of people reported that there was no service
available at the right time or at a convenient time.
In Tasmania and in the Australian Capital
Territory, 38% of people gave this reason. More
than one-quarter (26%) reported there was no
service available in their area, while 22% reported
that they preferred the convenience, comfort and
privacy of a private motor vehicle.
On a national basis, the proportion of people
who usually walked (4%) or cycled (2%) to their
place of work or full-time study has remained
relatively unchanged since 2006 (graph 2.5). In
March 2009, less people walked to work or
full-time study in Tasmania (from 8% in 2006 to
4% in 2009) and the Northern Territory
(from 7% in 2006 to 3% in 2009).
Less people were cycling to work or full-time
study in the Northern Territory and in the
Australian Capital Territory (both 5% in 2006
down to 3% in 2009).
The most common reason reported by people for
why they did not walk or cycle to their place of
work or full-time study was that the distance was
too far (71% for not walking, 45% for not cycling).
This was reported by people in every age group.
The two most common reasons reported by
people for walking or cycling were 'proximity of
home to place of work or full-time study' (64%)
and 'exercise and health' (50%). Only 7% of
people said they walked or cycled because of
environmental concerns.
Half of all Australian households had at least one
working bicycle kept at their home. Of these
households, two-thirds (66%) had two or more
bicycles in working order. Bicycle ownership was
highest in the Australian Capital Territory (66% of
households) and lowest in New South Wales
(46%).
Environmental views and
behaviour
Environmental views
In recent times, environmental issues have
featured prominently in the media, including
drought, bushfires, water reform and
conservation, and climate change. An ABS survey
in 2007–08 on environmental views and
behaviour found that most Australians aged 18
and over (82%) were concerned about
environmental problems, and more than half
(53%) believed the condition of the natural
environment was deteriorating
(graphs 2.6 and 2.7).
Australians aged 18–24 years reported less
concern about the environment than all other age
groups – around one-quarter (26%) said they
were not concerned about the environment.
86 Year Book Australia 2009–10