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CPF Media Release: National recognition for Clover’s bicycling vision
The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards will today recognise Clover Moore for her achievements in developing the 200km Sydney cycleway network.
Sydney’s Lord Mayor will receive the Award for Contribution by a
Politician at a ceremony to be attended by federal Politicians and
representatives from national organisations and peak bodies in health,
transport and the bicycle industry.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said cyclists are voting with their feet - more and more riders are using Sydney’s cycleways.
"Most riders use our cycleways to commute to and from work, in the
morning and evening peak hours when congestion on our roads is heaviest –
and the more people who ride during those times, the bigger the impact
on reducing traffic and congestion,” said the Lord Mayor.
"This is about the future and building a viable network that will become a normal part of city life in the years ahead.”
The national award presentation to the Lord Mayor follows the launch of a national survey conducted by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cycling Promotion Fund that found more than 62% of Australians want to be able to ride a bike for transport, but road safety fears are keeping bikes in the shed and off the road.
“The data released today should provide critical support to the leaders of Australia’s major cities, like Clover Moore, who are moving to establish active travel networks to relieve the looming crisis in urban congestion and address many of the related issues facing Australians such as physical inactivity, obesity and quality of life issues in our cities,” said Mr Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the CPF.
“Our national survey found the main reasons why people were not riding bikes were unsafe road conditions; the speed or volume of traffic; they don’t feel safe riding and a lack of bicycle lanes and trails, all of which are addressed by the cycleway network being built by the City of Sydney.
”The Award recognises Clover Moore for her commitment to removing the barriers that prevent Sydney residents for being able to choose their bicycle for short trips and for commuting.
“Along with the many other achievements recognised in the ten national Awards, Clover Moore’s Award recognises her significant commitment to making Sydney a healthier and more liveable city” Mr Hodge added.
More facts from the survey
Those who ride a bike for transport typically ride on quiet roads
(48%) and alone (87%), significantly outweighing those who cycled on
busy roads (15%).
The majority of respondents cycle due to health and exercise
benefits (90%) obtained from cycling but were also likely to be
influenced by the economic (71%) andenvironmental benefits (68%).
Interestingly, of respondents who rode, more than 88% rode alone and
less than 1% claimed to ride with more than two people, bucking the
general perception that cyclists ride in big groups, taking over the
road.
More than 60% of those surveyed wanted the Government to do more to encourage people to ride a bicycle to work.
Fast Facts - General
In 2009 1.8 million Australians rode a bike (ERASS Annual Report, 2009)
There was a 33% increase in bike riding between 2001 and 2009 (ERASS Annual Report, 2009)
Around 20% of all car trips to work and study in Australia are under
5km (ABS 2009) providing plenty of opportunity to make cycling a viable
alternative to car use.
The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards
The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards are 9th national awards
run by the Cycling Promotion Fund. They aim to recognise innovation and
excellence in the promotion of cycling in Australia. Award winners in 10
categories will be announced at a breakfast on Wednesday
1st June.
The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards are 9th national awards
run by the Cycling Promotion Fund. They aim to recognise innovation and
excellence in the promotion of cycling in Australia. Award winners will
include for the first time a National Media Award for Contribution
towards Cycling by a Journalist or Media Personality.
Physical inactivity is a major health problem in its own right. About
half of Australian adults (54%) are not sufficiently active to gain
health benefits. Physical inactivity costs the health budget an
estimated $1.5bn a year and causes 16 000 premature deaths per year. It
increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon and breast
cancer and is a critical factor in Australian’s obesity epidemic, with
more than half of all Australian adults being overweight or obese.
The Asia Pacific Cycle Congress.
Hosted in Brisbane, Australia from 8 to 21 September 2011, the
Asia-Pacific Cycle Congress brings together key cycling experts,
researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. The Congress is the
proud sponsor of the Bicycle Achievement Award in the Honorary category.
www.cyclecongress.com.
Australian Cyclist Magazine
is the national magazine for recreational, commuting and touring
cyclists. It is Australia’s largest national non-competitive cycling
magazine. Australian Cyclist is the proud sponsor of the Award for
Contribution by a Politician.
CPF News 