Cars heavily favoured in NZ than cycling

Tāmaki Makaurau – The vast majority of New Zealanders recognise that cycling plays a vital role in the reduction of carbon emissions (84 percent) and  traffic reduction (73 percent), a new study has found.

However, 42 percent of New Zealanders are still more likely to use their own car than any

other mode of transport for short distance trips, with only 7 percent saying that they would use their bike.

Additionally, less than half of New Zealanders (48 percent) are of the view that new road and traffic infrastructure  should prioritise cyclists.

The Ipsos global advisor study regularly asks respondents from around the world, including New Zealanders, for their views on different topics.

Ipsos conducted the study to understand perceptions around key  environmental issues facing different countries, willingness to make personal changes to combat climate  change and expectations from the government.

Among the 29 countries surveyed, New Zealand has the second-highest number of people who know

how to ride a bike with 82 percent, one percentage point behind Poland and significantly higher than the global market average of 63 percent.

Despite this, however, only 35 percent of New Zealanders own a bike that they can use and only 18 percent ride them regularly.

Kiwis are half as likely to choose a bike over any other mode of transportation for short distance trips than other people around the world with just seven percent for Aotearoa and 14 percent for the global average.

Kiwis are significantly more likely drive their own car with 42 percent for New Zealand and 25 percent global average.

New Zealanders also think more negatively about bikes and more positively about other modes of transport such as cars, motorbikes, and trucks) compared to the rest of the world. Around 60 percent also believe that cyclists represent a danger to drivers and pose as much danger to pedestrians as cars or motorbikes.

When it comes to safety and infrastructure, New Zealanders’ views are mixed. A total of  56 percent think that cycling in their area is dangerous, while 53 percent think that cycling infrastructure in their area is excellent.

The proportion of New Zealanders who think that cycling infrastructure projects should be prioritised over other road or traffic infrastructures in their area is significantly lower than the global average (48 percent NZ, 64 percent global average).

Notably, however, compared to the general New Zealand population, those living in large

cities were more likely to say new infrastructure should prioritise cyclists.