The Age: Cycling funds disappoint (9th December, 2008)

Bicycle groups say they are "shocked and disappointed by the tiny financial commitment" made to cycling in the Government's Victorian Transport Plan. The Government said it would inject $100 million into cycling over the next 12 years.

But this is only a marginal increase on the Government's annual level of bicycle funding now. Bicycle Victoria said the transport plan had found an extra $800,000 a year for cyclists.

"On a population basis that is 20 cents a head extra," chief executive Harry Barber said. Mr Barber called on his members to start a letter-writing campaign to Premier John Brumby to demand more money for bicycles. And the Cycling Promotion Fund labelled the plan a disappointment for cyclists.

"The money set aside for cycling in the Victorian Transport Plan would buy about one grade-separated rail crossing," policy advisor Elliot Fishman said. "It is a similar amount of money to what the Government plans on spending on minor projects such as sound barriers on freeways."