Election promises for cycling thin on the ground
Despite health being the primary driver of election promises this state election, active transport and recreational infrastructure haven’t had a look-in.
Bicycle Network pointed out to candidates that the budget that was rejected by the parliament had slashed active transport grant funding to councils to zero.
The Greens and independents Kristie Johnson, David O’Byrne and Daniel Groat supported our calls for the funding to be reinstated, Labor said it would consider it and we didn’t hear from the Liberals.
The Local Government Association of Tasmania also supported our call, suggesting the government could use funds from speeding fines to reinstate and expand the grant program, among other road safety projects.
Launceston calls for comment on climate plan
The City of Launceston is calling for comment on its draft Climate Action Plan, with transport prioritised as the municipality’s biggest emitting sector at 33%.
It lists cycling infrastructure, traffic calmed streets and support for people to switch transport modes among its key actions, all of which were also outlined in the city’s Transport Strategy 2020–2040.
Comments can be made in person on Monday 21 and 28 July between 11am and 1pm at The Lounge, 111 - 113 St John Street, Launceston. Or online before 28 July via https://tomorrowtogetherlaunceston.com.au/emissions where you can also download the plan.
Climate Change Act consultation underway
An independent review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 has begun, with online community workshops scheduled for 5 August: 6–7.30pm, and 6 August: 10–11.30am.
The review will examine whether the Act is sufficient for achieving the climate change objective of net zero emissions and whether governance changes interstate have relevance to Tasmania: https://recfit.tas.gov.au/what_is_recfit/climate_change/climate_change_legislation
The Climate Change Office’s Action plan and sector plans have provided useful funding for statewide e-bike purchase subsidies, seed funding for the Hobart e-bike library, no-interest loans for e-bikes and funding to trial secure bike parking in greater Hobart.
Change of date for Big Bike Film Night!
The organisers of the Big Bike Film Night have had to change the date of the Hobart screening from Thursday 14 August to Tuesday 12 August. Still at Stanley Burbury Theatre at the university’s Sandy Bay campus at 7pm.
Bicycle Network members get 10% off the ticket price for Big Bike Film Night screenings, just refer to the email sent to you on 8 July to see how.
https://bigbikefilmnight.nz/buy-tickets/big-bike-film-night-australia/
Rail Trail Run and Ride invites teams
The Run and Ride weekend on the North East Rail Trail is introducing a Teams Challenge to shake up the event this year on 13–14 September.
Riders in the team challenge will attempt a 14km course while individual riders can choose lengths of 7km, 18km, 30km, 54km. There is also an e-bike option that’s 54km. All rides leave from the old Scottsdale train station on the Sunday, between 9 and 10am.
TBUG members who are financial (including through Bicycle Network) can use the discount code TBUG2025 to redeem a 20% discount.