GEOFFREY HOLLAND
Institute for Global Futures Research Email
WHY WE SHOULD RIDE BICYCLES:
There is a plan to connect the northern beaches with a bicycle/walking path (Marlin Plan). Such a facility could not only boost the use of bicycles as opposed to private cars, but would also be an important asset to enhance eco-tourism in Cairns. More bicycle paths could also encourage more walking ! (and rollerblading). They could be lined with shade trees and food trees in some areas, resting spots, play areas for children, conserved and rehabilitated natural habitat etc...
The importance of cycling as a form of exercise relates to Warren Curtis' posting on obesity and sedentary, physically inert, car-bound, office- bound lifestyles in the Western society.
Bicycle transport (need I say) is important to:
- reduce fuel consumption
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- improve street safety (less traffic, less road rage) and
- improve air quality
- improve community health (exercise, fresh air)
- reduce noise (of traffic)
- reduce road building and maintenance expenditure
- conserve attractive streetscapes by reducing the need for highways and flyovers etc.
- more conducive to integrated space and community-building (where heavy road transport fragments space and isolates people)
- reduce parking congestion in the CBD
- dovetail with more pedestrian precincts in the CBD
- reduce personal/family expenditure which is tantamount to increasing personal/family income
- enhance quality of life in CairnsRegards, Geoff Holland
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