CAIRNS CITY COUNCIL
The Cairns Bicycle User Group is a non-political organisation and does not align with any party or team. However we do wish to encourage all our politicians to take cycling issues seriously, to place bicycle transport in their policies and to inform the public of their intentions to do so, prior to the elections in 2008.
ELECTION 2008:
ACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT:
Transport is a major issue that local governments must address. A substantial percentage of the budget is spent on roads and paths and their upkeep. New developments require new roads and paths and this adds to the overall cost of providing services. Beautification on roads and paths, line marking, general maintenance and Local Area Traffic Management are also costly.
Cairns is growing in population and traffic congestion. Maintenance is not the only service. Providing more and more traffic lanes for more and more vehicles comes at a price. Where is it all going and where will it all end? There are various trains of thought about the future, global warming, natural disasters, oil and energy crisis, water crisis, community health, the economy, tourism and much more. But everyone would agree that bicycle transport is a good thing and is part of the solution to all our problems. The bicycle is the most energy efficient transport ever invented. You are more likely to be killed in a car than on a bicycle. Bicycle transport costs a lot less to run. It keeps you healthy. It does not polute the air. It requires no energy except human power. It takes up less parking space and travelling space than a motor vehicle. Cyclists spend just as much money at the shops as anyone else. A cycle friendly city is a good tourist city. Is there anything we can say against the bicycle? I'm sure someone would think of something but they would be in the minority.
Then why aren't our roads given as much priority for cyclists as they are for motor vehicles? For roads to be safe for cyclists they should provide standard width bike lanes of 1.5 metres. Less than this and the stress level increases expecially for the cyclist. This may be one of the reasons why cycle numbers may be declining. Increased motor traffic adds stress to cyclists and to deal with this, standard width bike lanes are a must. Not only do cyclists use bike lanes and road shoulders. People driving motorised wheelchairs, sporting wheelchairs, electric bicycles and riding adult tricycles do too. Width and quality of travelling space is a safety issue. This major issue needs to be addressed by the new council.
To help this issue, road shoulders and bike lanes get more attention, we are happy to learn that one candidate in this election is all for bicycle facilities on-road and off-road. He is also experienced with disability access services. He is:-
Robert Pyne, Chairman – FNQ Regional Disability Council, candidate for Cairns City Council DIVISION 3
This is what our community needs. Councillors with grass roots knowledge and experience of road safety and infrastructure for active and sustainable transport services.
THE VISIONS ARE ENDLESS!