We often hear about European and North American approaches to walking and cycling infrastructure. Much closer to home, however, China is undergoing a massive walking and cycling infrastructure construction boom, as well as complementary measures to create a culture of active mobility in cities.

Sam Johnson from the World Bank has recently undertaken a review of China’s investment in active mobility approaches to infrastructure, development of a bicycle culture, policy settings, travel demand management and more.

Chinese cities are building thousands of kilometres of cycleways, footpaths and public spaces annually, led by the capital, Beijing. Momentum is building for China to reclaim the title of the "Kingdom of Bicycles" that it held during the 1980s.

What can we learn for Australia and New Zealand?

Sam Johnson, Sustainable Transport Analyst, World Bank will provide a presentation followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Kirsty Kelly, CEO, AITPM with:

• Sara Stace, President of Better Streets and Director of Cities, WSP
• Stephen Hodge, We Ride Australia

The event is a collaboration between AITPM, CWANZ, Better Streets, and We Ride Australia.

Presenters Bios:

Sam Johnson is a Sustainable Transport Analyst with the World Bank.  He is a strong advocate for people-centric urban design and moving away from car-dependency for more fun, vibrant, equitable, affordable, healthy and green cities. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Hons1), Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action, and is studying a Masters of Global Development Practice at Harvard University. 

Sara Stace has worked in federal, state and local government, and private sector for over 25 years. She is Director of Cities at WSP and president of Better Streets, a charity that helps community organisations campaign for better street outcomes.

Stephen Hodge is Director - National Advocacy with WeRide, Australia’s peak cycling advocacy body. In the corridors of power in Australia’s Federal Parliament, Stephen is the only professional lobbyist focused purely on advocating for cycling. Stephen brings decades of experience and expertise as both a past elite road cycling competitor and, more recently, as a high-level advocate for active transport.