Residents in the Liverpool and Fairfield area have added incentive to take up cycling with
the launch of a new initiative at Miller today.
Launching the
Cycling Connecting Communities program at TAFE NSW - Miller College today, Member for Liverpool Paul Lynch
said cycling played a role in combating obesity, rising fuel costs and climate
change.
Residents in the
Liverpool and Fairfield area have added incentive to take up cycling with
the launch of a new initiative at Miller today.
Launching the
Cycling Connecting Communities program at TAFE NSW - Miller College today, Member for Liverpool Paul Lynch
said cycling played a role in combating obesity, rising fuel costs and climate
change.
“Cycling is good
for your health, good for your hip pocket and good for the environment,” Mr
Lynch said.
“The NSW
Government is giving people added incentive to use the extensive network of
off-road cycleways with a range of initiatives,” he said.
The initiatives
include:
- a comprehensive bike map of the local
area
- free cycling courses between
September and November
- on National Ride to Work Day on 17
October there is a free community breakfast at Bigge Park in Liverpool between 7.30am to 9.30am
“The Sydney South
West Area Health Service will also run a pilot program at Miller College where students will be encouraged to
cycle to and from the TAFE,” Mr Lynch said.
He said the State
Government and local councils had built excellent cycleways for the community
to use.
“The Cycling
Connecting Communities program is an opportunity for people to take advantage
of this important infrastructure,” Mr Lynch said.
NSW Health Centre
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Advancement director Liz Develin said
there was a clear need for people to undertake more exercise.
“According to the
NSW Health statistics, about half of the adult population is sufficiently
active to meet the recommended 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical
activity on most days of the week needed to maintain health and fitness,” she
said.
“Cycling is a fun
way to be physically active, whether for recreation or for transport. It also
has the potential benefit of helping us deal with the rising levels of
overweight and obesity in the community,” she said.
Cycling
Connecting Communities is being run by Sydney South West Area Health Service
and funded by the NSW Department of Health for three years.
Project partners
include the Centre for Physical Activity and Health at the University of Sydney, Bicycle NSW, the Roads and Traffic Authority,
Deakin University and the Liverpool and Fairfield city councils.
For more
information about the Cycling Connecting Communities project visit www.cyclingconnectingcommunities.net
For more
information about the National Ride to Work Day visit www.ride2work.com.au
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams (Minister’s office)
0408 602 936 or Sheila Pham
(Sydney South West Area Health Service) 0423 880 177
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