Cycle future focuses on short option
Published Friday, 23 November, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
South east Queensland’s future cycling facilities will concentrate on getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes by catering for short cycle trips.
With research showing 48 per cent of the region’s car trips are less than five kilometres long, planners are changing tack to get people out from behind the wheel and onto two wheels instead.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the latest edition of the South East Queensland Principal Cycle Network Plan recommends planning for shorter distance cycle routes.
"Recent data shows a significant number of cycle and car trips are five kilometres or less," Mr Mickel explained.
“A bike ride of less than five kilometres is very achievable for most people of average fitness.
“If we can make it safe and easy for people to start replacing some of those car trips with cycle trips, we can reduce traffic congestion, tackle climate change and improve our health and fitness as well.”
The network plan maps existing and preferred future principal cycle routes around the region. When complete, it will create a system of linked cycleways and bikeways stretching from Noosa west to Ipswich and south to the Gold Coast.
The state government allocated an additional $24.2 million in September for cycle network projects in south east Queensland, as part of it's commitment of $235 million over 20 years towards developing the network.
This financial year 51 projects have been approved, including more bikeways, improved signage, lighting and related infrastructure worth $9.7 million worth in greater Brisbane (Brisbane City, Logan City, Redland Shire, Caboolture Shire, Pine Rivers Shire and Redcliffe City), $7 million for the Gold Coast, $4.25 million for Ipswich, and $4 million for the Sunshine Coast.
The 20-year funding commitment includes $90 million for greater Brisbane; $60 million for the Gold Coast; $60 million for the Sunshine Coast; and $25 million for the Ipswich region.
"The funding also provides for route signage to help bikeway users find their way around the system to activity centres, employment areas, shops, schools, public transport and other destinations," Mr Mickel said.
The network plan has been prepared in consultation with state and local governments and cycling advocacy groups. To view the plan visit www.transport.qld.gov.au/seqpcnp
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944
23 November 2007
With research showing 48 per cent of the region’s car trips are less than five kilometres long, planners are changing tack to get people out from behind the wheel and onto two wheels instead.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the latest edition of the South East Queensland Principal Cycle Network Plan recommends planning for shorter distance cycle routes.
"Recent data shows a significant number of cycle and car trips are five kilometres or less," Mr Mickel explained.
“A bike ride of less than five kilometres is very achievable for most people of average fitness.
“If we can make it safe and easy for people to start replacing some of those car trips with cycle trips, we can reduce traffic congestion, tackle climate change and improve our health and fitness as well.”
The network plan maps existing and preferred future principal cycle routes around the region. When complete, it will create a system of linked cycleways and bikeways stretching from Noosa west to Ipswich and south to the Gold Coast.
The state government allocated an additional $24.2 million in September for cycle network projects in south east Queensland, as part of it's commitment of $235 million over 20 years towards developing the network.
This financial year 51 projects have been approved, including more bikeways, improved signage, lighting and related infrastructure worth $9.7 million worth in greater Brisbane (Brisbane City, Logan City, Redland Shire, Caboolture Shire, Pine Rivers Shire and Redcliffe City), $7 million for the Gold Coast, $4.25 million for Ipswich, and $4 million for the Sunshine Coast.
The 20-year funding commitment includes $90 million for greater Brisbane; $60 million for the Gold Coast; $60 million for the Sunshine Coast; and $25 million for the Ipswich region.
"The funding also provides for route signage to help bikeway users find their way around the system to activity centres, employment areas, shops, schools, public transport and other destinations," Mr Mickel said.
The network plan has been prepared in consultation with state and local governments and cycling advocacy groups. To view the plan visit www.transport.qld.gov.au/seqpcnp
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944
23 November 2007