The Tasmanian Greens today renewed their commitment to support for bike infrastructure today, coinciding with Bicycle Tasmania’s Bike Week. The Greens propose the establishment of a permanent National Bike Paths Projects program with an annual budget of $80 million.
Today Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Greens Senate candidate Helen Burnet inspected parts of the Sandy Bay Rd where a cycleway is proposed.
“The Sandy Bay cycleway is a great example of the kind of project that would benefit from the National Bike Paths Projects fund,” Greens Senate candidate Helen Burnet said.
“This year’s Bike Week is focused on getting women on bikes. Safe, separated bike lanes on Sandy Bay Road would help make this a safe ride for not only women, but students who attend the many schools along this route.”
“The Federal Government spends virtually nothing on cycling infrastructure. The 2011-12 Budget included the biggest road spend in 40 years, providing $5.3 billion, but nothing for dedicated bike paths,” Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said.
“The Greens want people who are not confident riding in traffic to be able to use bikes. A recent survey in Melbourne proves bike infrastructure built with safety in mind results in more people on bikes.”
In 2009 the Greens negotiated a one-off $40 million National Bike Paths program as part of the stimulus package. About 600 kilometres of bike paths were built through this program through 166 projects. Tasmania received $2.2 million for six cycling infrastructure projects.
Greens Senator for NSW, Lee Rhiannon was in Tasmania in November 2012 to call for the program to be doubled to $80 million per year to provide local councils with access to long term funding for bicycle infrastructure. A background paper is available here.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
