OVER 60 local volunteers, bicycles, cars and a bus have recreated an iconic German photo taken 20 years ago, to demonstrate the advantages of bus and bicycle travel in congested cities.  

The original photo, taken in the German city of Muenster in 1991, shows the typical space occupied in a city street by three common modes of transport—cars, bicycles and a bus.

The Canberra version, taken on September 9 at Allara Street, Civic, will be made available free of charge to organisations, group and individuals to help promote the efficiency of public transport and cycling in congested cities.

Spokesperson for the Cycling Promotion Fund Stephen Hodge says the image “succinctly illustrates the greater space efficiency of bus and bicycle travel.”

“In the space it takes to accommodate 60 cars, cities can accommodate around sixteen buses or more than 600 bikes,” Hodge said.

“While many developed nations are embracing active travel, Australia is missing major opportunities to develop efficient and convenient transport options that have significant health and economic benefits.

“Eight out of ten Australian adults still use a private motor vehicle to travel to work or full-time study, just 14% take public transport, 4% walk and a mere 2% cycle, with 30% of these trips in the cities under 3km.”

The photographic initiative was funded by the Cycling Promotion Fund, the ACT Government and online donations from Australians via the Go! Alliance website, also receiving in-kind support from Pedal Power ACT.

“There’s been great interest from cities across Australia and we’re hoping that by making the image freely available this interest translates into wide dissemination,” Hodge said.

“As Australia’s population swells and our cities experience ever increasing congestion we need to get smarter about how we use existing road space—including investing more in alternatives such as public transport and cycling—if we are to move people more efficiently and effectively.”