The ACT Government’s investment in active travel in the 2021–22 Budget will provide a better path forward for Canberrans, say cycling organisation Pedal Power.
CEO Ian Ross said this week’s Budget was a step in the right direction for a more active Canberra, delivering $77 million in active travel projects over four years.
“Pedal Power has long called for real investment in cycling infrastructure,” Mr Ross said. “It makes economic sense, it makes community sense, it makes environmental sense.”
In last year’s election, the Greens promised to allocate $20 million per year – a minimum 20 per cent of the roads and parking capital upgrade budget – to walking and cycling infrastructure.
“The investment announced by the Government in the 2021-22 Budget is within a stone’s throw of that goal,” Mr Ross said.
Although 17,000 people used public transport during peak hour every day before the pandemic, Mr Ross expected Canberrans would be more hesitant to board a crowded bus or tram as COVID-19 restrictions ease and the ACT adjusts to ‘COVID-normal’.
Genuine investment in active travel would allow Canberrans to take a different path, Mr Ross said.
“Safe, direct, connected cycling and walking infrastructure will provide choice to Canberrans who want to avoid crowded public transport, yet are averse to private cars that bring roads to a standstill and pollute our air.”
Many car trips Canberrans make could be achieved on a bike, with the right infrastructure.
“Thirty-eight per cent of ACT car commutes are under 10km, five per cent are under 2.5km. This is an achievable target, particularly with e-bikes.”
For many years, Pedal Power has campaigned for better path maintenance, and the Budget promises to deliver this to some degree.
“Our path network is crumbling,” Mr Ross said. “Anyone who walks or rides in Canberra knows that the majority of our paths are in poor condition.
“Increased funding for maintenance will help, although it will take more than an additional million dollars a year to address the backlog from years of neglect.”
New paths across the city were a welcome inclusion in the Budget.
“Striking while the iron is hot will let us translate Canberra’s recreational cycling boom into an active travel revolution,” Mr Ross said.
“Canberrans have shown they love their bicycles. With investment in our path network, we may start to see a shift from cars to bikes.”
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