NSW nominations have taken the lion’s share of the prizes in this year’s Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards that 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 organisations and individuals in NSW, with four of the major awards and another two honourable mentions going to people and organisations in NSW,” said Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the Cycling Promotion Fund.

• Media Release:  NSW winners dominate at Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards (PDF, 70kb)

The Cycling Promotion of the Year ― Professional Award has gone to planning and active transport expert Warren Solomon, for his representation over 11 years of peak industry body, the Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA), on key government agency the Australian Bicycle
Council.

He is responsible for the birth of many institutions of the cycling world, such as Freewheeling magazine, the Sydney to the Gong public ride in which more than 10,000 riders participate each year and has authored a range of technical standards and training courses.

Joint winner of the Cycling Promotion of Year - Honorary Award is Damian MacIennan, creator of the online community, Sydney Cyclist. Members come together online to discuss cycling issues, rides and advocacy and now number almost 2300 in Sydney alone.

In addition to running a normal bicycle retail business, winner of the Award for Contribution towards Cycling by a Bicycle Retailer, bikerepairs.com.au, provides a modern facility that is used by the Motor Traders Association to train future bike mechanics to a professional standard.

Winner of Special Achievement by a Bicycle Organisation, BikeSydney, has established a viable social enterprise that is making it easier for visitors to arrive at major events by bicycle.

The Blue Mountains City Council has demonstrated a comprehensive ongoing commitment to sustainable transport and healthy lifestyles with a broad range of cycling programs. Their efforts since 2006 across a diverse socio-economic region will be recognised with an Honourable Mention in the Local Government Award.

Increasing participation in cycling creates healthier and more liveable communities and enhances choice for people wishing to make short trips or access public transport.

According to the Award’s Principal partners the Heart Foundation, physical activity, including walking and cycling, plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

“Physical inactivity is a major health problem in its own right. Disturbingly, about half of Australian adults (54%) are not sufficiently physically active to gain health benefits. Physical inactivity costs the health budget an estimated $1.5bn a year and causes 16,000 premature deaths a year, “said Tony Thirlwell, Heart Foundation CEO - NSW.

“It is particularly concerning for the future health of Australia when you consider that the last decade has seen a rapid decline in the number of children walking or cycling to school and few adults choosing walking or cycling as a mode of transport,” he said.

Award Presentation details

• 7:15am – 9:00am, Wednesday 16 June, Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Canberra
• Images of the Awards available upon request
• Media contacts: Cycling Promotion Fund, Stephen Hodge: 0411 149 910
• Heart Foundation, Kerry Kalcher: 0401 672 128

Winners of the Eighth Annual Bicycling Achievement Awards are:

• Cycling Promotion Award of the Year (Professional) – Warren Salomon, Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA) Representative, Australian Bicycle Council.
• Cycling Promotion Award of the Year (Honorary) – Joint winners: Damian Maclennan - Sydney Cyclist and Paul and Di Truebridge, volunteers - Pedal Power ACT.
• Contribution to Cycling by a Politician – Hon Rachel Nolan MP Minister, Queensland Department of Transport (Honourable Mentions – The Hon. Anthony Albanese, NSW and Senator Christine Milne, TAS).
• Award for an educational institution for innovation in encouraging cycling to school - Bowden Brompton Community School, South Australia
  
• Local Government Award for Special Initiative to encourage and promote cycling - Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland (Honourable Mention - Blue Mountains City New South Wales).
• Award for Contribution Towards Cycling by a Bicycle Retailer – bikerepairs.com.au, New South Wales
• Special Achievement Award by a Bicycle Organisation – BIKESydney, New South Wales (Honourable Mention – Brunswick Cycling Club, Victoria).
• Award for Bicycle Friendly Business – The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, Western Australia.

The Bicycling Achievement Awards have been held by the Cycling Promotion Fund annually since 2002 and this year official partner the Heart Foundation joins with federal MP’s and senators from around Australia to recognise innovation, commitment and achievement in making Australia more bicycle friendly.

About The Cycling Promotion Fund:
The Cycling Promotion Fund is an initiative of Bicycle industries Australia to enable the bicycle industry to work collectively to promote and encourage cycling and to work with stakeholders and governments nationally to create a more bicycle friendly Australia.

See www.cyclingawards.com.au and www.cyclingpromotion.com.au for more information.

About the Heart Foundation:
The Heart Foundation advocates a whole of community approach to make it easier for Australians to live more active lives and fight heart disease. For more than 5 years the Heart Foundation has been successfully influencing governments and urban planners to make the built environment and neighbourhood design more supportive of active living opportunities for members of their local communities. It recently identified 10 key action areas and solutions outlined in The Heart Foundation’s ‘Blueprint for an active Australia’.

For your copy visit www.heartfoundation.org.au