Report by Lenore Evans, Projects and Reports Officer, Cairns Bicycle User Group:
I participated in the first day of a three day national workshop to deliberate on the findings of the public consultation phase held in all states and territories of Australia. The National Bicycle Strategy will be launched at VELOZITY, the Australasian Cycling Conference, Adelaide, in February 1999. Statistics showed that four main issues stood out in the list of recommendations contained in the "possible ways ahead for Australia".
1. 97% Commonwealth, State and Local governments review and amend POLICIES and REGULATIONS to encourage bicycle use, remove barriers and provide incentives that encourage bicycle use as a viable alternate to car use, particularly for short trips.
2. 86% To allocate funding and resources that will enable this strategy to be implemented.
3. 82% Each level of government is to plan, implement and maintain a comprehensive, integrated and safe cycling network, in accordance with national standards within and between communities.
4. 80% A long term public education campaign be undertaken to improve the awareness of motorists and cyclists as to how they can share the road space.
The VISION STATEMENT was unanimous:- Increase cycling in Australia.
The following is my statement with information from the national strategy, news paper reports and other sources:
The main benefits to Australians are:-
1. Improved health. What's the point of paying into a superannuation fund all your working life and end up only fit enough for an old people's home or the intensive care unit. Why not be "super fit" to enjoy your retirement. More than one in two admissions to hospital for people over 65 were for impending heart failure. Ten thousand Australians die each year of heart disease.
2. Air Pollution. Green house and air quality issues can be solved by the general public deciding to cycle for short trips and using public transport and bicycles to travel to work. Appealing to people's better nature does not always work. We must provide efficient infrastructure to encourage people to cycle, walk and use public transport.
3. Traffic congestion. With the ever increase in population and residential development, transport planners must provide for all modes of movement such as bicycles, bus and car pool lanes, public transport bus and rail. Providing more motor traffic facilities increases motor traffic as has been proved by the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Instead of reducing congestion on The Bridge, traffic has increased by 20%. A survey shows that a 38 minute bicycle trip from Brookvale to the city was four minutes faster than the bus and only 10 minutes slower than the car. A car pooling scheme in Sydney has been a dismal flop. As I stated previously, appealing to people's better nature does not always work. We have to think of other ways. Take sales tax off bicycles and associated products. Provide efficient, safe and convenient bicycle lanes and paths that form a fast network.
4. Economics. Bicycle transport will provide economic benefits to all Australians. Governments will benefit from reduced health care costs, road operating and infrastucture costs. Bicycle travel has significant cost savings for individuals. This is a practical promotion, that people can get fit and save money at the same time. Substituting 100 million kms of car trips with bicycle trips will save the community $60 million. For every $1 spent on bicycle infrastructure, the return to the community is $5.23 (1990 Sydney Bike Plan).
5. Other agencies. This is not just a transport strategy. There are national and global issues being addressed by other government departments that bicycle travel will help to solve. Green house gas emmisions, the ozone layer, air pollution in cities, people's deteriorating health and fitness especially children, urban development, sustainable communities, culture and lifestyle are all connected to bicycle transport.
Assessment. Statistics from the public consultation and the acknowledged benefits of cycling, just goes to prove what we have been saying to politicans and governments for many many years. It is now up to the Federal Government to show leadership and above all FUNDING for bicycle lanes, paths, foot bridges and intersections to create an efficient, safe and convenient bicycle network, now and into the future.