The federal government has been urged to inject billions of dollars to build safer roads for cyclists and introduce tax rebates for people who ride to work, as the number of Australians opting for active travel options hinges on the decline.
A new report from the The Australia Institute, released on Monday, found less than one per cent of federal spending on roads has gone towards infrastructure for bikes and scooters.
It called on the government to increase expenditure on active transport to at least 10 per cent of road-related spending, which would be about $3 billion, based on the latest budget figures.
Dr Morgan Harrington, a research manager at The Australia Institute, said despite the many benefits fewer people were cycling due to a lack of safe options.
"In cities across Australia, cars continue to rule the road. Unless we build the infrastructure that gives people other options for getting around now, well only have more problems with congestion and pollution in the future," she said.
"Investing in separated bike paths would help all commuters get around our cities more efficiently."
The ACT, alongside Victoria and the Northern Territory, has some of the highest cycling rates in the country.
However, results from the latest national walking and cycling survey show the number of active riders in the ACT has dropped by 9 per cent since 2011.
Analysis from the think tank found the government's $100 million National Active Transport fund, announced back in May, would be enough to build between 25 to 50 kilometres worth of bicycle paths.
It pointed to countries such as France, which last year committed $2 billion to build 100,000 kilometres worth of cycle lanes by 2027.
The report also recommended Australia introduce a national bike to work scheme to resolve traffic congestion and help reduce carbon emissions.
It suggested a plan similar to one introduced by the French government in 2017, which offers commuters up to $0.40 per kilometre cycled to work.
Britain's bike to work scheme, introduced more than 20 years ago, allows users to pay for bikes and cycle gear which is taken from their salary on a tax-free basis.
More than half of Australians support more e-bike subsidies
An opinion poll of 1,014 Australians done by the think tank found three quarters supported more walking and cycling paths in their areas, with about two thirds in favour of a cycling mileage allowance.
About 60 per cent backed the idea of a government e-bike subsidy scheme.
Queensland this month committed $1 million to allow commuters to claim a $500 rebate for an e-bicycle and $200 for an e-scooter.
Tasmania last year introduced the nation's first e-bike rebate scheme, which covers up to 12 per cent of the cost for an electric bike.
