 In this e-newsletter
As the end of 2008 draws near, the Cycling Promotion Fund reflects on both our activities to promote cycling and other developments in Australia and around the world to encourage this healthy, sustainable and affordable form of transport and physical activity. The last twelve months have continued to see growing awareness of the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.
Coupled with the desire to live healthier, physically active lifestyles and minimize expenditure on petrol, cycling is truly experiencing a renaissance reflective of its contribution to contemporary challenges. As the Australian and international economy continues to slow, cycling is well positioned as an affordable option, for both individuals and governments, looking to make the most of their modest budget.
Cycling Promotion Fund working at the national level to boost cycling investment
The Cycling Promotion Fund has been busy preparing submissions to the numerous inquiries and reviews currently taking place at the national level. Cycling is increasingly seen as an effective response to many challenges that face the Commonwealth and our work serves to highlight the opportunity that cycling presents for the Rudd Government. 
Nominations for the 2008 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards
close on December 19. Maybe you know of a hard-working person in your
area, a cycling group,
local school, bicycle shop, bicycle-friendly business, local council or
shire, councillor, politician or an organisation that deserves
recognition from the cycling community?
As 2009 draws near, a number of issues have emerged that place cycling in a position of increased national importance. Climate change, a slowing economy, congestion and obesity are all issues in which the bicycle has a role to play. The Cycling Promotion Fund has worked hard in 2008 to get cycling on
the agenda and will energetically continue our efforts in 2009.
Rosemarie Speidel,
Program Director
Cycling Promotion Fund
Infrastructure Australia bid
In October this year, the Cycling Promotion Fund submitted a proposal to Infrastructure Australia.
Entitled A More Efficient and Sustainable National Transport Network, the submission proposed a Commonwealth investment of $800m over four years to improve the efficiency of Australia’s transport system and quality of life through the development and improvement of cycling networks. This investment would increase cycling to work in capital cities by 100% by 2012 and quadruple it by 2029. A number of other submissions to Infrastructure Australia including Brisbane and Sydney City Council have included significant cycling infrastructure proposals.
Australia 2020 Submission
Earlier this year, the Rudd Government brought together 1000 Australians to help shape long term strategies for Australia’s future. The Cycling Promotion Fund made four submissions, outlining the importance of encouraging cycling, in response to the following criteria:
1. Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities
2. Population, sustainability, climate change, and water
3. A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
4. Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world
Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program
In 2008, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, sought information on ways to invest in genuine regional economic development and local community infrastructure. The Cycling Promotion Fund made a submission into this inquiry, proposing that investment be directing in areas that assist the Commonwealth meet challenges in public health, climate change, liveability, high fuel prices and regional economic growth.
With this in mind, it was proposed that cycling infrastructure represents a strong, evidence-based investment that will assist in the future sustainability and prosperity of Australia’s regions. In November the Rudd Government announced an investment of $300 million in 2009 into local community infrastructure. The guidelines for the inaugural Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program make cycling paths and rail trails eligible to be funded under this program.
Crawford Sports Panel Submission
The Cycling Promotion Fund teamed up with Cycling Australia for their submission to the Crawford Sports Panel. The submission argued that the national network of BUGs and clubs exists that could be leveraged to respond better to the strong and growing interest and demand for a wide range of cycling activities at the entry levels in the community. A partnership and coordination system was proposed to address the rising community demand for cycling.
Tax Review
In May this year the Australian Government announced the review of Australia's tax system. The Cycling Promotion Fund commissioned Frontier Economics to develop their submission to the Tax Review. It was argued that the current tax system encourages excessive car use and this exacerbates the problems of climate change, congestion, obesity and air/noise pollution.
At a minimum, our submission called for changes to the tax system that does not distort transport decisions. It provided the Tax Review team with recommendations that would reduce unnecessary car use and increase the attractiveness of sustainable transport.
Cycling news from around Australia
Queensland records massive investment in cycling
The Queensland Premier, The Hon Anna Bligh recently announced her Government will begin a series of major cycle infrastructure investments. The first project, a $6.1 million cycleway linking the Cairns CBD and Aeroglen is due to be completed by late 2009. “This is the first of many projects to be delivered in co-operation with local government to implement the Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
The Queensland Government has also committed $8 million to a state-of-the-art Cycle Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. The first class end of trip facility will accommodate 750 bicycles and include showers, lockers, change rooms and even ironing facilities.
South Australia provides a boost to its bicycle network
The City of Adelaide has pledged more than $3 million over the next three years to implement its bicycle action plan. The funding will cover bike lanes and trails, bicycle parking, free bicycle hire and education.
A trial of Copenhagen style bicycle lanes in Sturt Street will be implemented in 2009. According to the Lord Mayor Michael Harbison
"The number of cyclists in the city continues to grow each year and as the Tour Down Under enhances its status by luring stars like Lance Armstrong, it is imperative we offer our cyclists the best and safest conditions possible," he said.
New South Wales initiates BikePlan
In August, the NSW Minister for Roads and the NSW Minister for Climate Change & the Environment announced the preparation of a new cycling blueprint aimed at encouraging more people across the state to use bikes as a healthy, emissions free form of transport. The New South Wales Premiers Council for Active Living has been commissioned to oversee the preparation of the BikePlan for NSW.
The Cycling Promotion Fund submitted comments for the BikePlan team to consider when preparing their blueprint for cycling in NSW.
Sydney councils launch comprehensive inner city bicycle network bid
 Right: Artists impression below offers an indication of the proposed design - Bourke Street, Sydney. Courtesy City of Sydney
As part of its submission to Infrastructure Australia, the City of Sydney has proposed an Inner Sydney Strategic Cycle Network.
The City of Sydney, in collaborating with 15 Inner Sydney Councils, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, has identified a network of 245 kilometres of additional travel lanes (bi-directional) that can be created within the existing road corridor.
This includes 160 kilometres of separated bicycle roads and 70 kilometres of upgraded shared path. Research commissioned by the City of Sydney revealed that a bicycle modal share of 10% (similar to Berlin) could be achieved if the bicycle network was significantly improved.
Tasmania injects $4m into bike plan
The Tasmanian Government recently made a strong commitment to cycling, investing $4 million to development a bicycle network. CyclingSouth, representing an number of councils in Tasmania has put an application in for five projects in the greater Hobart region including. Premier David Bartlett announced at the Tasmanian Cycling Conference in October that he is committed to building infrastructure for cycling. The Tasmanian Bicycle Council has been formed as the peak body for cycling in Tasmania. It has received funds from the Premiers Physical Activity Council for coordinating 2009 State Bike Week.
- Tasmania’s RACT follows the lead of the RACV and is offering a new roadside service for cyclists. Bike Assist will be offered as a complimentary benefit to all existing and new RACT Roadside Ultimate members. Bike Assist will provide help in the event that a bicycle cannot be ridden due to a crash, minor mechanical problem, or puncture.
Integrating cycling with public transport in Western Australia
Western Australia remains Australia’s leader in integrating bicycles with public transport. Most public transport systems in our capital cities have seen a huge increase in patronage, resulting not only in congestion on trains and buses but also increased demand on car parking at train stations.
The Public Transport Authority in WA has been expanding the number of stations offering secure bicycle parking in dedicated bike parking cages. Importantly, it also has a program of improving access for bicycles to stations to make riding to the station as easy as possible. Research by the Western Australia Government indicates that a large percentage of train users live within an easy cycling distance from a station but currently drive.
Cycling holidays
Tourism in Australia has been facing a number of challenges. The economic downturn is changing our tourism possibilities and cycle tourism is becoming more attractive. Cycle tourism is currently experiencing strong growth and this is expected to continue, as the low Australian dollar is encouraging people to holiday locally. Some of the iconic trails in Australia include:
The Murray to the Mountain Rail Trail (Vic): This popular trail has become a major tourism attraction for the region with the range of products and services improving and expanding. The popular pedal to produce product enables visitors to cycle to local wineries to to taste award winning wines and pick up fresh regional produce from farm gates.
The Munda Biddi Trail (WA): The Munda Biddi Trail, which means path through the forest in the Nyoongar Aboriginal language, is a world-class, nature-based, off road cycling experience. Starting in Mundaring the trail meanders through scenic river valleys and the magnificent eucalypt forests in the South West of Western Australia. The trail is completely off-road and provides experiences for cyclists of all ability levels and has been attracting local, interstate and international visitors.
Tour Down Under (SA): The annual Tour Down Under is fast becoming one of Australia’s leading sporting events. The Adelaide event, the first race of the prestigious UCI ProTour calender, has turned into a week long festival of action, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world. Lance Armstrong, the biggest name in cycling, will compete in 2009. The event is not only a spectator event but provides great opportunities for cyclists to participate.
Registrations for the Mutual Community Challenge Tour, which enables cyclists to ride a stage of the event, have already reached the 5,000 limit, two months before the event. Other cycling participation events around Australia have seen huge increases in participation, playing an instrumental role in encouraging Australians to lead more active and healthy lifestyles.
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CPF News 