Labor comes to the party
Posted March 21st, 2007 in Advocacy
Just in time for polling day on Saturday, the NSW Labor Party has finally wriggled themselves free from the tender embrace of the developer and roads lobby for a few moments to produce a cycling policy paper. Better late than never.
BICYCLE FUNDING
Morris Iemma’s Government is committed to providing cycling facilities across NSW.
With more than 3,600 kilometres of cycleway already in use across NSW, a number of major projects are under construction to further expand and improve the cycling network.
In 1999, the NSW Government released BikePlan 2010 with a commitment of $251 million over 10 years to deliver an average of 200 km of cycling facilities per year.
At 30 June 2006, there has been an average of 236 km of cycling facilities provided by the Government each year since 1999, which exceeds that projected in BikePlan 2010.
The NSW Government has provided more than $220 million towards bicycle programs since BikePlan 2010 was released.
A further $71 million has been allocated to fund cycle related projects this financial year.
More than $7 million is being provided through the RTA to directly fund bicycle specific programs delivering infrastructure, education and promotion.
The Iemma Government continues to provide dollar for dollar funding to local councils for the development and implementation of local cycling initiatives. 91 local projects are being funded at a combined cost of over $6 million this financial year.
In 2006/07 the Government has allocated $64 million for cycling facilities as part of major road construction projects providing sealed shoulders and paths.
Projects include:
* The Parramatta to Windsor cycleway, as part of the North-West Transitway and Windsor Road upgrade;
* The Albury Wodonga Bypass;
* Five Islands Road, Lake Macquarie; and
* As part of the Great Western Highway and Pacific Highway upgrades.
In addition, an estimated $6 million worth of cycling facilities will be delivered by the private sector as part of the Lane Cove Tunnel and expanded Gore Hill Freeway project.
The Iemma Government remains committed to building off-road shared paths wherever practicable when new roads are built and to link these with existing cycleways wherever possible.
The NSW Government continues to promote cycling through sponsorship of major events such as Sydney Spring Cycle and the NSW Big Ride.
Response to Bicycle NSW Policy Recommendations
1. Whole of Government: Encourage ‘joined up’ thinking with government to address the cross cutting opportunities related to cycling
The NSW Government agrees that cycling is an activity that relates to and encompasses many areas of government interest. At a federal level, the RTA supports, participates and contributes to implementing the Australian National Cycling Strategy 2005-2010.
At a State level, government agencies work together to deliver various cycling related projects, such as:
* Sharing Sydney Harbour Foreshore Program and NSW Coastline Cycleway project led by the Department of Planning’s.
* the Department of Health’s research project on promoting cycling infrastructure in Western Sydney.
* the RTA, with the Department of Education and Training will provide bicycle safety lessons to selected primary schools along the route of the NSW Big Ride in the mid-north coast of NSW this year.
A Iemma Government will continue to provide funds jointly with Council to develop and implement local area bike plans, such as Sydney City Council’s bicycle strategy; and working with Councils’ road safety officers and local communities to promote bicycle events during the annual Bike Week.
The Iemma Government supports Bicycle NSW’s recommendation to review the role and function of the Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC). Recently, the BAC received a presentation from the Premier’s Council for Active Living (PCAL) and agreed that both the BAC and the PCAL should work together in program planning, implementation and effectively stewarding any changes required in the legislative framework.
2. Climate Change: Support community interest in sustainable transport options
A re-elected Iemma Government will continue to promote cycling as an affordable, flexible and environmentally friendly form of transport; it will remains an important part of the Government’s transport and local planning.
A re-elected Iemma Government will continue to provide off-road cycleways wherever practicable when new roads are built, and to link these with existing cycleways wherever possible. These networks of cycleways will provide access to schools, work, shops and other local facilities.
The NSW Government will continue providing funding during Bike Week to community groups across NSW for promoting events that encourage bicycle riding.
3. Transport: Implement a co-ordinated approach to infrastructure provision and behaviour change
A Iemma Labor Government will continue providing off-road cycleways wherever practicable when new roads are built and to link these with existing cycleways wherever possible.
In 1999, the NSW Government committed $251 million over 10 years to deliver an average of 200 km of cycling facilities per year. As at 30 June 2006, there has been an average increase of 236 km of cycling facilities provided by the government each year since 1999. There are now more than 3,600 km of cycleway in service across NSW for the use of cyclists.
A Iemma Labor Government will continue to match local government contributions to deliver local cycling-specific infrastructure, education and promotion.
A Iemma Labor Government will continue its program of promoting cycling through its mobility management program. This program encourages government agencies and businesses to develop and produce their own transport access guides that show how to access a site using sustainable transport options that include cycling. The RTA continues to conduct free workshops for Government agencies, Local Government and major trip generators on Producing and Using Transport Access Guides.
To assist in further promoting the use of cycling, a “Cycling to Work” brochure has been produced. The brochure point out to employers and employees the many benefits derived from staff cycling to work. The RTA has distributed this brochure to student coordinators at universities and TAFE colleges during orientation week in order to encourage cycling and walking by students.
4. Health: delivery of material reductions in future government spending on the health system
A Iemma Labor Government will continue to promote and recognise the health benefits of cycling, through
* The Premier’s Council for Active Living (PCAL) programs and activities and has been an active participant in the implementation of some actions arising from the NSW Government Childhood Obesity Action Plan.
* Resourcing the cycling related research project funded by Health NSW
* Education programs in schools on cycling and safe cycling to selected primary schools along the route of the NSW Big Ride. The objective is to encourage primary school children to be active by riding their bicycles safely to school or for recreation.
5. Education: Encourage cycling from an early age
The NSW Labor Government has incorporated a safe cycling lesson in the RTA STREETS SENSE program as part of the primary schools curriculum. The RTA is working together with Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide safe cycling lessons in some schools along the route of NSW Big Ride.
In addition, the NSW Labor Government provides resources for Community and Road Safety Education Centres (CARES). There are several centres across NSW where children can learn road rules and safe cycling in organised school groups.
The NSW Labor Government will continue to promote safe cycling and encourages bike riding to communities of all ages during NSW Bike Week. It provides seed funding to various cycling initiatives that promote safe cycling. All primary school principals Statewide received notification of the availability of resources for Bike Week activities.
The NSW Labor Government has developed and delivered training courses to improve the skills of government and council staff involved in planning, designing and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
6. Tourism and Regional Economic Development: Accelerate the funding and implementation of infrastructure projects that will benefit regional development in terms of economy and tourism
The NSW Labor Government has supported and funded several rail trails across NSW - for example the Fernleigh Track, Parramatta to Liverpool trail etc.
The NSW Government continues to the implementation of NSW Coastline Cycleways.
The NSW Labor Government remains the major sponsor of annual bicycle events including the NSW Big Ride, Sydney Spring Cycle and Sydney to the Gong.
7. Community: Fund and initiate research driven approach to improving attitudes and behaviour of all road users.
Driver education on the needs of cyclists is included in the RTA’s Road Users Handbook, a major reference for people wanting to obtain a driver’s licence. The RTA’s Hazard Perception Test is also an integral aspect of gaining a licence in NSW and includes education for drivers in terms of:
* Keeping a safe distance;
* Scanning for hazards; and
* Situations where hazard perception is particularly important.
The message “Watch for Cyclists – The Road is there to Share” is displayed on variable message signs across Sydney to remind motorists of the needs of cyclists. The message “Watch for Cyclists” is also one of many road safety messages printed on the back of the new motor vehicle registration labels.
Each year the NSW Labor Government, through the RTA, conducts Bike Week to raise the profile of bicycle use and to promote safe cycling. Local communities are encouraged to participate in Bike Week events and to consider the needs of cyclists as legitimate road users.
8. Sport and Recreation: Introduce effective planning and coordination of land use to provide increased infrastructure for sport, leisure and recreation
A State Labor Government will continue to work with local councils and other stakeholders to improve access to and lift the use of high-quality regional cycling facilities constructed by the RTA. It will continue its support for cycleways projects jointly funded with urban and regional local councils, with preference given to links that access major employment centres, schools, sporting and recreational facilities etc.
9. Treasury & the Economy: Support the key health and environment policies of the National Reform Agenda
The NSW Labor Government, through the RTA, will continue its program of promoting cycling through its mobility management program.
This program encourages government agencies and businesses to develop and produce their own transport access guides that show how to access a site using sustainable transport options that include cycling. The RTA continues to conduct free workshops for Government agencies, Local Government and major trip generators on Producing and Using Transport Access Guides.
To assist in further promoting the use of cycling, a “Cycling to Work” brochure has been produced. The brochure points out to employers and employees the many benefits derived from staff cycling to work.
The RTA has developed a Powered by People, Not Petrol postcard to encourage tertiary students to consider cycling as an alternative and sustainable form of transport rather than primarily using their cars to travel to and from universities and TAFEs. The RTA has distributed these postcards to student coordinators at universities and TAFEs across the State in order to promote cycling to students during orientation weeks.
The RTA has been involved with a pilot program Cycling in the City initiated by the Sydney City Council. The purpose of the program is to encourage workers in the Sydney CBD to commute by bicycle to work. The success of this program has led the RTA to plan similar programs for its staff in Parramatta and Wollongong.
10. Planning; Implement the NSW Bike Plan 2010 with focus on allocation of resource to areas of emerging and ‘latent’ demand
In 1999, the NSW Government released BikePlan 2010 with a commitment of $251 million over 10 years to deliver an average of 200 km of cycling facilities per year.
As at 30 June 2006, there has been an average of 236 km of cycling facilities provided by the Government each year since 1999, which exceeds that projected in BikePlan 2010.
The NSW Labor Government has provided more than $220 million towards bicycle programs since BikePlan 2010 was released, with a further $71 million of works to be completed this financial year.
The Iemma Labor Government will:
* Ensure the BikePlan 2010 network is focused on its key cross-regional links, which will join a limited number of metropolitan high-activity centres.
* Consider where the provision of shared paths can alleviate conflict between cyclists and motor vehicles on key arterial routes.
* Identify shared paths which have been or will over the next five years be delivered by the RTA (as stand-alone projects or next to new major roads) and local councils.
* Highlight and cost the stand-out ‘missing links’ in a key cross-regional network, especially links which extend to the east the reach of a number constructed shared paths in western Sydney.
* Develop a related program to promote cycling, and especially the use of newer links in the Sydney shared path network.
The NSW Labor Government recognises the importance of walking and cycling in the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods and cities. The RTA and Department of Planning worked together in developing Planning Guidelines for Walking and Cycling. The Guidelines aim to assist and encourage land use planners and related professionals to include consideration of walking and cycling in their work. The Guidelines, were distributed to all local Councils and interest groups.
The development of major new urban land release areas in Sydney’s north- and south-west will provide an excellent opportunity to promote walking and cycling as alternative modes of transport to the car, especially for short trips. 26% of all trips by car in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area are shorter than three kilometres. The rate of travel to school by car has also doubled in the last 20 years and this means families often need two cars. Appropriate planning for walking and cycling can change the perceived need for the second car and, in some cases, any car at all.
The Guidelines are recommended to all involved in urban planning to create healthier and more sustainable neighbourhoods and cities for NSW.
11. Government Accountability: Planning and management of progress to ensure the whole community shares in the benefits of cycling
The NSW Government will involve the community in the development of bicycle facilities by:
* Encouraging councils to consult communities in the development of local bike plans and educational programs;
* Seeking input from stakeholders on bicycle and cycling safety;
* Consulting with bicycle user groups in the identification and continued development of bicycle networks; and
* Consulting with bicycle user groups in relation to bicycle needs on new roadworks and maintenance programs.
technorati tags: cycling, bicycles, nsw, election, labor
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