The Cycling Promotion Fund is pleased to announce nominations are now open for the National Bicycling Achievement Awards.

Since 2002 the Cycling Promotion Fund have recognized innovation and achievement for individuals and organizations encouraging cycling.

Last year’s National Bicycling Achievement Awards, launched by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP recognized the growing number of Australians involved in the encouragement of cycling.

Winners included the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP for pushing through Sydney’s first cycle strategy and action plan.

Cycling is booming in Australia and this has seen an increasingly competitive pool of entrants’ – with 2008 set to see record numbers. All winners and recipients of honourable mentions will receive a trophy and the winners in each category will receive a $1,000 cash prize. A booklet detailing the winners and all nominations will be published and widely distributed around Australia providing maximum exposure for the nominees and winners. The Bicycling Awards website will document the winners and nominations.

A description of all the winners from past National Bicycling Achievement Awards can be found at
www.cyclingawards.com.au

To learn more about the boom in Australian cycling, see the Riding to Work fact sheet.

Cities around the world are beginning to see the benefits of becoming bicycle friendly. London has seen an 83% increase in cycling since 2003 and Paris has launched the world’s largest public bicycle system – encompassing over 20,000 bicycles in over 1,450 locations.

In the United States, a national rating system has been developed, ranking cities for bicycle friendliness. Top performing locations including Davis, California and Portland, Oregon. In Davis, some 20% of all trips are done on bicycle, a number comparable to Amsterdam or Copenhagen. Portland is the best performing large US city, with around 5% of trips done by pedal power – over five times more than Sydney!

In Australia, Brisbane is leading the way – with a commitment to invest $100 million in bicycle infrastructure over four years. This will help create a city that makes cycling an attractive alternative to the car. The Queensland capital recently launched Australia’s first end-of-trip-facility for cyclists.

The Cycle Centre, located in the centre of Brisbane, provides secure bicycle parking for over 400 bicycles, with showers, lockers and change rooms. They even run a dry cleaning service, making the transition from bicycle to office even easier.

The 2008 National Bicycling Achievement Awards enjoys sponsorship from the Commonwealth Government, the National Heart Foundation and a number of other organizations interested in seeing Australia become a bicycle friendly nation.

The Cycling Promotion Fund is calling for nominations for the 2008 National Bicycling Achievement Awards, in the categories of professionals, volunteers, schools, businesses, local government and bicycle retailers.

Nominations close 19th December 2008 and can be registered at www.cyclingawards.com.au

If you are interested in doing a story on the Awards or would like assistance on any cycling related story, please feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,

Elliot Fishman
Policy and Research
Cycling Promotion Fund

M: 0438 547 450
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


Cycling Promotion Fund
PO Box 3052 Auburn Victoria 3123
Ph 03-9818-5400 Fax 03-9818-4535
www.rideabike.com.au
An initiative of the Bicycling Industry in Australia