Four transport organisations have joined forces today to urge all political parties to commit to tasking the Productivity Commission to report on the costs of urban congestion, road accidents, environmental degradation, climate change and energy security associated with Australia’s current transport use.

This will be a positive first step in ensuring that major political parties implement reliable, safe and sustainable transport systems.

A joint letter was sent by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Bus Industry Confederation (BIC), Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP), urging the Productivity Commission to report on the true social costs of transportation within the Australian context.

• Joint Media Release: A step towards a reliable, safe and sustainable transport system for Australia (PDF, 98 kb)
• The Greens: Media Release - Greens strongly back transport industry call (19 August 2010)
  

Major political parties have been urged to embrace active transport as part of the policy cure for the challenges of chronic disease, climate change, congestion and pollution.

The call was made today by a unique partnership of organisations from the health, transport and local government sectors.

The five groups - The Australian Local Government Association, Bus Industry Confederation, Cycling Promotion Fund, the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the International Association of Public Transport - today launched a policy framework,

Ausbike 2010 Melbourne Bike Expo is on again at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 21 - 23 August 2010. There will be over one hundred exhibitors including the Cycling Promotion Fund stand.

Not only will bikes be showing but also an unimaginable array of accessories to go with your bike and your lifestyle.

This show is an absolute must-not-miss event for anyone interested in bikes or who works in the bicycle industry.

The Cycling Promotion Fund will announce shortly the latest bicycle news in the 2010 Australian Federal Election.

Bookmark this page for future updates.

• CPF: 2010 Federal Election policies and cycling summary
• Australian Electoral Commission: Federal Election Updates
• ABC: Australia Votes - 2010 Federal Election
• Google: Australian Federal Election 2010
  

AustCycle Spins into history pages: First nationally standardised bike training programme announced (Media release 16 July 2010)

Transport history was made today with the announcement of a $1.04-million Department of Health and Ageing grant to expand AustCycle, an ambitious joint venture between Cycling Australia and the Amy Gillett Foundation.

It is with great sadness that the Cycling Promotion Fund notes the passing of Ted Wilson (Director, Wilcare Services) and Stephen Hart (Owner, Gran Prix Bicycles).

Stephen and Ted were both greatly admired by the cycling community for their immense expertise and contribution towards making cycling accessible throughout Victoria.

The Premier of Queensland, the Hon Anna Bligh is leading the nation in investing in active and sustainable transport with the opening yesterday of the $36 million walking and cycling path over the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge (previously know as the Gateway Bridge).

The Minister for Transport, the Hon Rachel Nolan MP, who recently won the Cycling Promotion Fund’s Bicycling Achievement Awards for Contribution to Promotion Cycling by a Politician, and Main Roads Minister the Hon Craig Wallace MP both spoke and jointly opened the bridge with the Premier.

This year’s Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards will be presented in Canberra today at an event to be opened by Heart Foundation CEO (ACT) Tony Stubbs and with the key note address from Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Maxine McKew.

“2009 has been a landmark year for cycling, with this year’s commitments to fund bicycle infrastructure blowing away previous investments by all three levels of government,” said Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the Cycling Promotion Fund.

• Media Release: Awards recognise record investment in pedal power (PDF, 60 kb)