Opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe has dismissed the findings of a government community consultation into light rail and questioned how many cyclists will use tram services in Canberra.
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Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said on Friday potential light rail consortium partners would be required to include space for bikes on trams linking the city and Gungahlin, after 44 per cent of respondents to an online survey said they would ride to passenger stops.
The survey of 432 people by the Capital Metro Agency found 25 per cent of respondents said they would plan to take their bike on light rail every day.
More than 50 per cent said they would bring bikes during peak travel hours and 48 per cent called for bike storage at tram stops.
Pedal Power ACT welcomed the decision to integrate bikes as a coup for Canberra's growing cycling culture, as Mr Corbell and Capital Metro project director Emma Thomas went before an ACT Legislative Assembly committee on Friday.
The number of cyclists who mount their bikes on the front of Canberra's ACTION bus services is not officially recorded and patronage modelling provided by Mr Corbell to the Assembly last week does not specify the expected number of cyclists.
Estimated patronage in 2021 includes an expected 10,800 passengers walking and cycling to tram stops. An expected 1500 passengers will drive to access tram services and 2800 will use buses to get to the line.
"In effect they've asked people who are otherwise disposed to light rail how they can like light rail even more," Mr Coe said.
"To that end, if their target audience was the future users of light rail as opposed to potential users, then perhaps they've got a reasonable sample. But I wouldn't say this is anywhere near what a consultation report should be."
The Opposition warned it was dangerous for the government to rely on "anecdotal" data for procurement and selection of successful consortium bids. Mr Coe questioned the engagement measures used in the consultation, including website visits and letters to the editor.
"It might provide the government with some areas for more qualitative data collection but I don't think it warrants the fanfare attributed to it," he said.
"We're not going to waste too much time forensically going through something which is basically anecdotal."
Pedal Power executive officer John Armstrong said the group was delighted by plans for effective integration of bikes on light rail services.
"This is a fantastic result for those bike riders wishing to use the light rail along with their cycles as part of in an integrated transport for the future," he said in a statement.
"We are pleased that the government has listened to our views in this instance, and look forward to working equally positively with the relevant departments on further issues of importance to our members and bike riders through the ACT."
The organisation was working to help shape the future of cycling in Canberra, he said.
When operations start in 2019, the line will include 13 passenger stops between the city and Gungahlin. Based on community feedback, stops at Lysaght Street and Owen Flats have been removed from the first stage, in favour of Well Station Drive and Swinden Street.
