This ministerial statement outlines the government's national approach to increasing the number of people in the community who walk, ride and use public transport. These modes of transport are referred to as ‘active travel’.

The Australian Government sees the benefits of active travel as:

• increased capacity and reduced congestion in the transport network
• reduced environmental impacts
• improved public health and reduced healthcare costs
• improved community wellbeing and social cohesion.

The statement discusses present barriers to active travel as well as opportunities that active travel presents. It provides a range of principles as well as specific actions that the Australian Government will take to support and encourage active travel.

It sets out strategies to plan and build safe active travel environments, encourage people to use active travel and provide appropriate governance arrangements.