Cycling brings a great deal to our lives. It is a way to connect with others, explore our surroundings and enjoy the freedom of getting around under our own steam. We want more South Australians to feel confident experiencing those benefits.

Our 2025 Advocacy Survey asked BikeSA members what would make the biggest difference to cycling in South Australia. We are pleased to share the report and what it tells us about the opportunities ahead.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your experiences and ideas provide a valuable foundation for strengthening BikeSA’s voice on behalf of riders.

A clear direction from members

The strongest message is that safer cycling can open the door to more cycling.

Around two-thirds of respondents said they feel safe riding in South Australia most of the time. However, only a small proportion said they always feel safe, suggesting there is still work to do to make that confidence extend across more routes and everyday journeys.

When asked what prevents more people from cycling, respondents most frequently identified a lack of safe cycling infrastructure, followed by dangerous driver behaviour and unsafe road conditions.

Members’ five highest-ranked advocacy priorities were:

1. Expanding separated cycleways.
2. Strengthening laws to protect cyclists.
3. Improving road maintenance for cyclists.
4. Lowering urban speed limits.
5. Increasing cycling infrastructure funding.

These priorities point towards practical improvements that could make a meaningful difference. A safer intersection can make a regular journey more comfortable. A missing connection completed can open up a new route. Well-maintained paths can make riding more welcoming for everyone who uses them.

Members also want road rules to provide meaningful protection in practice. Around four in five supported more enforcement of existing cycling laws, with similarly strong support for stronger penalties for drivers who endanger cyclists.

Together, the findings give BikeSA a clear foundation for advocating for better riding conditions.

A framework for stronger advocacy

The report proposes five areas to help organise BikeSA’s advocacy:

• Safe Infrastructure: protected and connected routes, including safer intersections.
• Safe Streets: better everyday riding conditions through maintenance and safer speeds.
• Law and Policy: effective protections and accountability for behaviour that puts riders at risk.
• Planning and Investment: sustained funding and coordinated planning for cycling networks.
• Participation and Access: practical support that makes riding possible and convenient for more people.

These areas reflect the breadth of members’ interests and the different ways people enjoy riding. Whether a bike is used for recreation or an everyday journey, a safer and more connected network benefits us all.

The report also proposes principles to guide our approach. These include putting safety at the heart of decisions and ensuring education supports improvements to infrastructure and enforcement. They emphasise connected networks, streets designed to reduce risk, and road rules that work in practice.

Progress can come through major projects and smaller improvements alike. Each worthwhile connection or safety upgrade can help bring a better cycling network within reach.

Where to from here?

The survey will inform the development of a formal Advocacy Strategy for BikeSA, giving our work a clearer direction grounded in members’ experiences and priorities.

The proposed pillars provide a framework for that work, while recognising the breadth of issues that matter to our members. From the condition of a local riding route to the policies shaping cycling across South Australia, those experiences help us understand where change is needed and make the case for it.

BikeSA’s role is to champion our members and the wider cycling community. We want members to know that their concerns are heard and valued, including those whose experiences may be less visible in the survey’s overall results.

Your contributions give us a stronger foundation from which to represent riders and pursue a safer, more welcoming cycling environment.

Every experience adds to the picture

The survey offers valuable insight into the views of engaged BikeSA members. Respondents were predominantly older riders and men, so the findings are one important part of a broader picture.

The experiences of younger people and those who would like to ride but currently feel unsafe also matter. So do the different challenges faced by riders across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Members nominated specific roads and locations where improvements are needed. These contributions help bring the broader findings to life. While the survey was not designed to produce a definitive ranking of infrastructure projects, they provide useful starting points for understanding local concerns.

Thank you for helping shape what comes next

Our members bring a wealth of knowledge, built through everyday experiences on South Australia’s roads and trails. Sharing that knowledge helps strengthen the case for better cycling.

We encourage you to read the full report and share it with others who care about cycling. We also welcome feedback, particularly where your experience adds something the survey has not captured.

Your membership supports BikeSA’s work, and your voice helps shape it. We look forward to building on this contribution as we develop our advocacy strategy.

Read the BikeSA Advocacy Survey Report 2025

Share your feedback: office@bikesa.org.au

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