We head to the polls on 23 March

NSW State Election 2019

Our message to political parties is: be bold for bikes

Our priorities

It’s time to be bold for bikes 

The increasing cost of living, health and congestion are having a very real impact on the people of NSW. Population growth, urbanisation and new technologies are rapidly changing the accessibility and connectivity of our communities.

Cities around the world with an eye on future growth and liveability are enthusiastically responding to these challenges by moving away from a dependence on cars and investing in efficient, sustainable and affordable active transport.

NSW has reached the point where critical decisions must be made — otherwise the state’s global brand, standard of living, transport network and economy are all at stake.

However, bike riding faces road blocks at every turn. NSW continues to have the lowest bike riding numbers in Australia. At the same time, less than one per cent of the NSW transport budget is allocated to active transport.

We need a government that’s progressive enough to invest in active transport and recreation that saves, improves and lengthens lives.

Making it easier for more people of all ages, genders and backgrounds to ride a bike for transport is one of the best ways to build physical activity into our daily lives, unclog public transport and free up our roads.

This election will be a watershed moment.

Momentum is building for change. The people of NSW are looking for a government that is willing to make the bold decisions that deliver the biggest gains and the answer to today’s challenges isn’t in organised sport or low-co-ordination, vaguely-justified roads and rail.

The people of NSW want to ride bikes and will back a government that promises to unlock the potential of our transport system with active travel and get NSW moving towards health and happiness, rather than a government that is afraid of the loud minority who incorrectly see bike riders as slowing them down.

Our message to the NSW political parties and candidates is:

Be bold for bikes and the people who ride them

Now’s the time to commit to making it easier for more people, of any age or ability, to ride bikes for their own health and happiness and the liveability of the entire community. 

Download our Policy paper

Our election priorities

1. BUILDING PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO RIDE 

Build and connect our cycleways 

Invest in an ongoing annual bike infrastructure fund of $238 million+ (roughly $30 per head of population).

Accelerate plans and funding schedules

Accelerate the delivery of cycling infrastructure and related plans set out in the Future Transport Strategy from 2056 to 2026.

Positive provisioning

Commit to positive provisioning for all state-owned road projects, non-road transport projects and maintenance regimes.

 

Newcrest Orange Challenge 2018
Low speed local neighbourhoods

Reduce speeds on local streets or in built up environments to 30km/h.

Regional trails and tourism

Amend legislation to remove barriers to rail trails and establish an annual Rail Trail Fund to support development and construction.

2. NORMALISING BIKE RIDING

Fund a state-wide Ride2School program

Fund Bicycle Network’s flagship behaviour change program Ride2School by investing $4.5 million over four years. 

Station access and bike parking

Every station needs a local bike network and secure bike parking.  

Trial relaxation of helmet laws

Relax MHL with a five-year trial permitting people over the age of 17 to ride on footpaths and cycle paths/trails without a helmet.

Kids riding bikes to school

3. PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO RIDE

Enforcement program for minimum passing distance law

Invest in a close-pass enforcement program that includes the establishment of a special policing unit. Learn more here.

Allow footpath riding for all ages in NSW

Remove the age limit and allow people of any age to ride on the footpath. 

Bike policy should not be hard or complicated.

Parties of all ideologies can make a massive difference for people who ride. 

DOWNLOAD OUR ELECTION PAPER

And if you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you check out our NSW Budget submission 2019-20. 

Budget submission

NSW election commitment tracker

In the lead up to the election, we’ll update this page with the commitments made by major parties that are relevant or directly impact people who ride. If we’ve missed one, please let us know via email: campaigns@bicyclenetwork.com.au.

 LIBERALS
LABOR
  • $7 million for getting kids on bikes including support for a Ride2School program
  • $412 million commitment for cycling and walking infrastructure as well as rail trails in NSW
  • Reinstate Active Transport NSW
  • Planning for cycling and walking to be included in all future major road and rail projects
  • Review local council Development Control Programs to deliver more bike parking and end-of-trip facilities near public transport hubs.
  • $1 million for bike paths around Queanbeyan as part of an extra $10 million in funding to Canberra region for road upgrades 
  • $5 million for cycleways to connect Newcastle’s west and east
GREENS

Latest news

NSW Greens pledge $1 billion for bikes

The Greens NSW have released their detailed plan to make easier for more people to ride, which includes a $1 billion cycling infrastructure fund.

NSW Government to double active travel investment

The NSW coalition government has promised to double its spending on bike and pedestrian paths if re-elected.

NSW Labor commits millions for bikes

Labor have committed to spend $412 million on infrastructure that makes it easier to ride and walk if the party wins the NSW State Election...

NSW Greens call for support for Newcastle’s Cyclesafe Network

NSW Greens have called for the major political parties to match their support for a state-funded cycleway network in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

NSW Labor commits $7m to get kids on bikes

NSW Labor has announced that if elected in March, they will commit $7 million to make it easier for more children to ride to school.

Take action

We know that collective action makes a difference.

This election make sure the voice of bike riders are heard. Reach out to your local members and make sure they don’t forget about bikes. 

 

Make contact

Contact your local candidates and ask what they’re doing for bikes. We’ll share their responses online – just make sure you cc us at campaigns@bicyclenetwork.com.au

Find electorate

Share on social

Share our election campaign on social. 

Become a member

Become a member today and together we can make it easier for more people to ride.

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