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Media Release 14 October 2009
Today’s announcements by the Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, naming the
first major cycling infrastructure projects to be funded under the $40m Cycle Paths Fund has
been warmly welcomed by the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA), Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) and Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).
This group of organisations shares a common vision and view about
the benefits of physical activity and mental well being and is united
in its support for the funding of these projects that are expected to:
- provide more opportunities for Australians to be active in their daily lives
- make it easier for Australians to replace short car trips with walking and cycling
- fight the obesity epidemic
- create between 500 and 700 local jobs, contributing to economic recovery
- ease traffic congestion, and
- create better urban environments for us all.
The announcement today for major investments in the Sydney cycle path
network ($5.4m) and Tasmanian projects ($2.2m) follow the release of
the latest participation figures for cycling that show 337,000 more
Australians rode a bike in 2008 compared to the year before (ERASS
2009).
Speaking
on behalf of the CPF, spokesperson Stephen Hodge said, ‘This investment
comes at a time of increasing awareness of cycling as a great way to
increase our everyday physical activity.’
He
added, ‘We don’t need to reinvent the wheel! More bikes are sold each
year than cars … we just need the paths to ride on and thanks to this
government more will be built.’
Spokesperson
for the ACDPA, Professor Ian Olver, said, ‘This is a great initiative
for encouraging increased physical activity and an important part of
the broader strategy that needs to be put in place to combat rising
obesity levels in the community, as recommended by the government’s
Preventative Health Taskforce.
“Being
physically active, having a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy
weight are all important ways to reduce your risk of developing chronic
diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and some
cancers. The cycle paths to be built will give more Australians a
reason to get on their bikes and keep fit and healthy far into the
future.’
PHAA
Chief Executive Officer, Michael Moore, cites the positive impact the
cycle paths will have on public health. ‘This investment in cycle paths
by the Australian Government will encourage physical activity in the
community and thereby help to reduce the growing burden on health and
hospital systems across the country,’ said Mr Moore.
‘Improving
community infrastructure like cycle paths will bring a range of health
and environmental benefits that will continue for years to come.’
The
ACDPA, CPF and PHAA congratulate the government on their efforts to
build health promoting community infrastructure and support job
creation through the Cycle Paths Fund and the Australian Greens, who
negotiated the Fund as part of the Rudd economic stimulus package.
All
parties to this statement further urge the Minister to consider
expanding the Fund to an annually funded program so that the benefits
can be expanded to many more communities around the country.
Media inquiries*:
Cycling Promotion Fund: Stephen Hodge 0411 149 910
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance: Paul Grogan 0409 456 727
Michael Moore, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia: 0417 249 731
Quick Facts
- The $40m Cycle Paths Fund is part of the Rudd Government $650m Jobs Fund economic stimulus package
- 1,928,100 Australians rode a bike in 2008, a 21% increase on the year before (ERASS 2009)
- In
2008, for the ninth year in a row Australian bicycle sales outstripped
motor vehicle sales. Australians are not just buying bikes, they are
using them increasingly frequently.
- Census
figures show a 28% increase in riding to work across Australian capital
cities.This growth is largely centred in areas with superior levels of
bicycle infrastructure.
- Over 50% of car trips in Australian cities are under 5km and 30% are less than 3 km, ideal distances for travelling by bike.
__________________________
*The
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) is an alliance
of five nongovernment health organisations who are working together in
the primary prevention of chronic disease, with particular emphasis on
the shared risk factors of poor nutrition, physical inactivity and overweight and obesity. The members of the ACDPA are:
The
Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) is an initiative of the bicycle industry
in Australia. It is a leading advocate for and source of information
and advice on cycling, see www.cyclingpromotion.com.au
The
Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is a national
organisation comprising around 1500 individual members and representing
over 40 professional groups concerned to promote health at a population
level. This includes, but goes beyond the treatment of individuals to
encompass health
promotion, prevention of disease and disability, recovery and
rehabilitation, and disability support. This framework, together with
attention to the social, economic and environmental determinants of
health, provides particular relevance to, and expertly informs the
Association’s role Reference
Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport, 2009. Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey 2008 Annual Report, Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government, Canberra.
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