Jo Clay, the Greens' spokeswoman on transport and active travel, has released a discussion paper with a series of proposals to accelerate the shift away from car-based transport in the capital, including more funding for paths and slower speed limits in some areas.

"Canberrans love active travel. We have the highest level of cycling in Australia and almost everyone uses active travel at some point. Even those who drive most places will still get out of their car and walk or wheel to their final destination," Ms Clay said.

"We need more active travel. We are in a climate crisis and around 60 per cent of our tracked emissions come from transport. Congestion in Canberra is also a problem and it is getting worse at a rate over three times faster than most Australian capital cities.

"We have to do more to help Canberrans choose the original zero-emissions transport method of active travel. We need to make active travel fun, accessible and safe for everyone."

The discussion paper includes 22 proposals to better encourage active travel take up - which includes walking and cycling - such as more funding for path maintenance and the requirement for off-road path routes to be built into new areas.

Car-free days and designated car-free zones for each ACT electorate in 2022 would "allow Canberrans to experience a different way to use our roads", the paper says, suggesting the government should bring forward an idea first floated in its 2019 climate change strategy.

The paper also suggests expanding areas with slower speed limits and notes the growing global adoption of a 30km/h standard for streets with high pedestrian activity.

Ms Clay, who has invited public feedback on the discussion paper, has also put forward proposals that would reduce the amount of public car parking in areas with good active travel connections, and prioritising traffic light sequencing to benefit those walking and riding.

MORE A.C.T. POLITICS NEWS:

The government should also consider whether some roads could be removed entirely or reduced to make more space for the community and less public space for cars.

The proposals include a trial of an off-road bicycle helmet exemption, so cyclists only need to wear a helmet when they are riding on the road with vehicles.

"This off road exemption could be trialled and the effect on participation measured to see if this increases cycle commuting, especially for short distances within suburbs," the paper said.

The proposal acknowledged helmets protect cyclists from head injury and said they should be encouraged, but noted cycling participation dropped when mandatory helmet laws were introduced in Australia.

A 1992 survey in New South Wales found the number of cyclists dropped in the state by 6 per cent after mandatory helmet laws were introduced, with the number of children riding bikes dropping by 36 per cent.

But a 2019 University of New South Wales study found cycling fatalities had dropped by 46 per cent since the introduction of mandatory helmet laws.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: