Originally published in InDaily on 20 March2026. Click here to read the full article.
Global fears over rising petrol prices and dwindling fuel supply are stark reminders of Adelaide leading the nation in relying on cars, Committee for Adelaide chief Sam Dighton says.
Despite our relatively flat terrain and mild climate, Adelaide remains one of the most car-dependent cities in Australia. The 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide Report found that around 80 per cent, or four in five journeys, are made by car, leading to increased congestion and more time spent behind the wheel.
The report also highlights that Adelaide’s public and active transport options are not keeping pace with the city’s growth. Adelaide ranks poorly among comparable global cities for walkability and cycling infrastructure, even sitting last among its peer group for cycling infrastructure investment. And while some suburbs are relatively well connected by bus and rail services by international standards, only 12 per cent of city centre residents use public transport.
This matters because transport is about much more than getting from A to B. It shapes our economy, our liveability and our resilience as a city. It impacts our ability to attract talent, cater for tourists, remain family-friendly and care for our ageing population.
If we want Adelaide to grow sustainably and remain globally competitive, we must invest in a truly integrated transport network, one that provides residents with real choice and connects public transport, active transport, EV infrastructure and land use planning. That means safer cycling routes, better walking connections, greater EV adoption and serviceability, stronger links between suburbs, precincts and transit corridors.
Active transport is a particularly important piece of the puzzle. Many Adelaideans live within cycling or walking distance of schools, shops and workplaces, yet fragmented infrastructure and safety concerns prevent people from choosing these options.
Cities around the world are investing heavily in connected cycling and walking networks because they know it leads to healthier communities, substantial public health benefits, reduced congestion and greater economic productivity. Mounting evidence indicates strong economic returns on active transport infrastructure, with benefits often outweighing costs by over $5 to $1, significantly reducing healthcare expenditure.
The city of Austin has already committed a total of A$190M to bikeways and urban trails as part of a A$1.8B, 2000 km cycling network under development by 2039. It also has an ambitious mode share target of 50/50 by 2039. In comparison, we have a A$2M State Bicycle Fund and rank last for bikeability.
The same applies for trips made on foot. The share of journeys made by walking in Adelaide is around 18 per cent, well behind the 30-40 per cent average in Europe and leading ‘walking cities’ like Bilbao where 56 per cent of commutes are by foot.
Rising petrol prices should also provide added incentive to ramp up electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure. Carsales has reported a dramatic increase in consumer interest in electric vehicles on the back of rising petrol prices, with 76.7 per cent more searches for EVs in the past week compared to the week before.
More EVs will require increased investment and deployment of EV infrastructure and charging stations across the state. This should include funding kerbside charging trials in infill development areas, an EV charging infrastructure grants program for SMEs and local governments in key areas, supporting bi-directional charging technologies such as Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to Home integration, streamlining regulations and adopting necessary Building Code changes.
As the State Transport Strategy rightly points out, transport is a key enabler of social, environmental and economic outcomes. We need to get it right, and we need our transport system to be properly funded beyond election cycles, or it will continue to threaten Adelaide’s reputation as an affordable, liveable and easy-to-get around city, regardless of the cost of petrol.
