We would like to draw your attention to upcoming conferences on cycling which are being held in NSW; On Your Bike: Increasing Cycling for Short Trips.  The On Your Bike conference is being jointly hosted by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the NSW Premier’s Council for Active Living to launch exciting new policy and project initiatives to make cycling in NSW easier, safer and more convenient. 

The conferences will be opened by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, the Hon. Verity Firth, MP. The On Your Bike conferences are being held in three locations, with the agenda adapted to bring a regional focus. All the conferences begin at 8.30am and run till 4pm.

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.