Devonport leads Tasmania on bike spending

Devonport Mayor Steve Martin hosted Hobart City Council Alderman and Greens Senate candidate Helen Burnet today. Alderman Burnet visited to see and ride for herself some of the kilometres of bike paths Devonport has to offer.

“We have a lot to learn from councils that are small in size but spend significantly more on good bike paths and lanes for commuter and recreational riders,” Ms Burnet said.

“In the last financial year Devonport spent $5.30 per ratepayer, compared to 99 cents by Hobart. From a lower financial base, Devonport City Council is making a much greater commitment than the state’s capital by getting on with building good bike networks.”

“There is plenty of evidence of both the health and economic benefits of providing good bike networks. The work already undertaken by Devonport City can only be positive for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of both citizens and visitors.”

Alderman Burnet was particularly impressed by the cycleway that runs along the foreshore to the Bluff and to the Don Railway.

Yesterday Ald Burnet visited Launceston and Burnie and rode on paths partly funded by the Federal Government’s National Bikepaths Projects Program, rolled out in the 2009 stimulus package. As part of the stimulus package, the Australian Greens secured $40 million to support shovel-ready projects and $2.2 million was spent on projects in Tasmania. An example is Burnie’s Emu River to Cooee Coastal Pathway: a stunning, safe ride linking the city to the hospital.

Alderman Burnet has been a strong advocate for bike infrastructure for many years and has joined the Australian Greens’ call for an annual spend of $80 million on bike projects across Australia.

“I would like to see Hobart City Council learn from our North-West councils who are getting on with providing safe bike lanes that encourage the community to enjoy the river and the coast. Separated bike lanes on Sandy Bay Road would provide safety for the many school and uni students who could use the route daily,” she said.

Online here
Hobart City Council Alderman and Greens Senate candidate Helen Burnet