On 4th June, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, The Hon Peter Garrett AM, MP presented the National Bicycling Achievement Awards at Old Parliament House in Canberra.

The prestigious Bicycling Achievement Awards have been set up by the Cycling Promotion Fund to acknowledge innovation, commitment and achievement in making Australia more bicycle friendly. The diversity of winners in this year's awards are proof of the growing support for cycling across Australia.

Cycling to work is on the increase in Australia
The desire to lead healthier lifestyles, concern over climate change, crippling traffic congestion and record fuel prices have all contributed to the strong growth in cycling in Australia.  The Cycling Promotion Fund has developed a fact sheet using the 2001 and 2006 census figures to look at trend in the growth of cycling in capital cities.

Interestingly, the growth in commuting cycling is not happening consistently and the gap between cycling to work in inner and outer areas of our cities is getting bigger.

Brisbane City Council is set to become the first Australian capital city to join several European centres in introducing a public bike hire scheme. The City Council is seeking expression of interest to implement the system.

To celebrate the official re-opening of the Royal Danish Embassy in Australia, the Embassy invites people of all ages to visit the exhibition Dreams on Wheels: Danish Cycling Culture for Urban Sustainability on show at the Showcase Gallery, Commonwealth Place, Canberra throughout the month of May.

Focusing on the bicycle as a sustainable mode of transport, the exhibition features examples of bicycle friendly urban planning through to the latest in innovative Danish bicycle design.