Cycling is a great activity to integrate physical activity into daily life.

It is terrific to see that State Government Health Departments have recognised this and have developed some great marketing material to promote cycling as part of their campaigns to encourage people to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. To view the campaign material follow the link below.

• Campaign run in West Australia, ACT and Tasmania: Find Thirty every day
• Television and Radio Campaign in Queensland: Find your 30

The Cycling Promotion Fund has done some research to examine the 2009/10 Budget. It appears that the 2009/10 Budget does not include any new initiatives for cycling but a number of recently announced programs continue to provide opportunities to fund cycling infrastructure projects and initiatives to promote and encourage cycling.

A major negative has been the confirmation that all programs to reduce unnecessary car travel such as TravelSmart and other behaviour change programs, previously funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts, have been terminated.

We have been successful in discussing the issues a number of local government authorities and other organisations have raised with us about the Cycle Path Fund, part of the Jobs Fund administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Work Place Relations (DEEWR). Please also refer to;

• CPF: Information Bulletin 21 April 2009 - Government announces details of $40m Cycle Path Fund
• Click here for Cycling Promotion Funds Introductory Guide (PDF, 38kb)
  

The work and activities organised by bicycle user groups, clubs and associations like yours, are playing an instrumental role in inspiring and supporting people to take up and maintain regular physical activity through cycling.

To better understand the range and extent of these activities across the country, the Cycling Promotion Fund is undertaking its second national survey that will document:

The Australian Government has published details about the applications and assessment process for funding of bicycle infrastructure under its $40m Cycle Paths Fund, announced as part of its Economic Stimulus package.

The Fund has been rolled into a $650 million Jobs Fund which will be administered by several government agencies, with the cycle path component under the jurisdiction of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Time lines are tight for funding applications with the submission deadline 22nd May 2009 for funding that will start from the 1st July 2009 and not extend beyond 30th June 2010.

From the Premier of Victoria: $115 plan paves the way for Victoria's cycling future (Monday 23 March 2009)

Encouraging Victorians to ride their bikes and integrating new and existing cycling infrastructure into the transport network are key features of the $115 million Victorian Cycling Strategy, launched today by Premier John Brumby.

Mr Brumby released the strategy today with Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas at North Fitzroy where a new bike and pedestrian bridge will be built over the Merri Creek, linking two important cycling routes.

The 2008 Bicycling Achievement Awards will be presented in Canberra today at an event presided over by former Victorian Premier The Hon Steve Bracks.

“We received a record number of high quality nominations from across the country and our winners reflect the very best examples from individuals and groups working to promote and encourage cycling” said Rosemarie Speidel, Program Director at the Cycling Promotion Fund.