16 February 2001: A statement from Steve Bredhauer, Minister for Transport, Queensland Government, prior to the State Elections on 17 February 2001:- BICYCLE TRANSPORT
Comments:
- The Southern Cairns Integrated Land Use and Transport Study, for which Queensland Transport was lead agency, was completed in December 2000. Recommendations to government arising out of the study are currently being drafted. It is expected that part of these recommendations will encourage an urban form which will facilitate increased walking and cycling.
- In 2001, the State Cycle Unit is implementing a range of statewide measures which will directly support increased cycling in the Cairns region including:
- launch of a Queensland Transport cycling website in March. The site will provide information for people who cycle or would like to start cycling again, along with extensive resources for local governments on how to provide for cycling;
- Bike Week sponsorship (proposed for May in North Queensland) to support "Ride to Work" and "Ride to School" events. Bike Week 2000 was a highly successful and well publicied event in Cairns;
- release of a range of publicity materials (reflective bands and postcards) to support Bike Week and other events;
- a statewide web-based competition to develop a cycling promotion "tagline" or slogan, with the winning entry to receive a bike and helmet;
- training courses on bicycle planning and engineering targeted at local government and Main Roads engineers and their consultants; and
- release of a series of "Cycle Notes" which will provide information on how local governments and state agencies can provide for cycling.
- Queensland Transport is currently preparing a Queensland Cycle Strategy which will establish a statewide framework for managing cycling. The Strategy aims to integrate policies and initiatives to increase cycling into existing State and Local Government programs such as transport infrastructure provision and health and physicial activity promotion. The Strategy will assist Cairns and other regions to achieve on-the-ground outcomes for cycling. A draft for public comment is due to be released in May 2001 subject to Cabinet endorsement.
- The State Cycle Unit in Queensland Transport is organising a Regional Cycling Forum in North Queensland in May 2001 which will bring togetner all cycling stakeholders (government, community and industry) to focus on current and future strateiges to increase cycling in the region.
- Queensland Transport provides ongoing support to the Cairns City Council Bikeways Committee and Bicycle User Group to attend State Cycle Committee meetings. Cr Fran Lindsay of Cairns City Council is the Local Government Association of Queensland representative on the State Cycle Committee which addresses strategic cycling issues and promotes cycling.
- Queensland Transport in partnership with Main Roads and Cairns City Council has initiated the Cairns Integrated Public Transport Study. The study will identify measures to increase cycling and walking generally and will identify mechanisms for improving pedestrians and cycling access to public transport (including wheelchair access).