The federal election is just around the corner, so what have the parties and candidates promised that will improve your cycling experience?
All the Australian bicycle groups sent a joint statement to the parties asking for the new Active Transport Fund to be continued in the new government but with an increase in funding.
The Fund only had $100 million allocated to it in the last term of government and the statement asked for this be increased to $250 million per year.
The big promises so far are for shared paths in Lyons and Braddon.
St Helens shared path & Coastal Pathway
The Liberal party has pledged $4.3 million to extend the shared path from St Helens through to Stieglitz, creating a 7km long connection. This is on top of the $1 million pledged by the state Liberal party at the 2024 election to help the council leverage Australian Government funding to complete the path.
While Labor has promised $1.3 million for the north-west’s Coastal Pathway to draw up a plan and designs to fill in the missing gaps and to better market what’s already there. The Cradle Coast Authority would develop marketing and promotion campaigns, install signage and create an app that would include maps and pathway information.
Other improvements for bike riding can be found in bigger package promises, these include:
Liberal party
- A bike pump track to be built on the western end of Perth’s Illawarra Road, and the shared pathways network will be extended from Oakmount Road to Haggerston Road and Youl Road.
- $125,000 to build a permanent toilet/amenities block at the Tippogoree Hills mountain bike trails.
Labor party
- $4 million to widen the Sorell Rivulet Bridge and include a shared path crossing.
Andrew Wilkie
Pleasingly, key independent Andrew Wilkie, MP for Clark, has committed to supporting more cycling funding.
"It is imperative that the Government supports active transport, including bike paths, to promote healthier lifestyles, reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.
"Investing in bike infrastructure is a win for everybody. It encourages more people to cycle, improves public health and reduces pollution. In particular, bike paths can alleviate traffic congestion, making traffic flow more efficient and less stressful for everybody.
"I will lobby the next Government to significantly lift investment in bicycle infrastructure and hold them to their election promises."
Tasmanian Greens
The Greens’ have a plan for a new $40 billion Sustainable Cities Fund, which would be used to co-fund projects with state and local government to:
- upgrade existing active transport infrastructure to a high standard (this includes wider bike lanes, improved road design, reduced collision points, and better access to local roads); and
- create new high-standard pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure with funding priority going to projects that complete missing network links and connect key destinations like schools, hospitals, retail precincts, public facilities, and public transport hubs, with bicycle end-of-trip facilities at these locations.
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