It’s time for Perth to embrace the three-mode transport approach that makes for a more socially connected, happier and healthier city.

Most parents would love for their children to be able to ride home from school on a safe path.

While cities around the world are lowering speed limits and tearing down freeways, Perth continues to build a road network that facilitates the movement of only two modes - car and foot.

People on bikes are currently expected to either share with motor traffic or share with pedestrians, and the conflict problems are obvious.

Designing for a third mode, the bicycle, not only improves mobility options, it can deliver a number of positive social benefits too. This is seen most notably in the Netherlands, which since the 1970s has adopted the gold standard of this three-mode approach.