Today, cycling advocates Pedal Power ACT presented their petition demanding better active travel infrastructure to Chris Steel MLA, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services.
The petition, signed by more than 1,200 Canberrans, called on the government to build a connected, safe, and convenient cycle and active travel network, as proposed in the ACT Government’s Draft Active Travel Plan; to increase funding for maintenance of cycle lanes, shared paths, and footpaths; to install raised pedestrian crossings at all road crossings not protected by traffic lights on principal cycle and active travel routes; and to build secure end-of-trip facilities in each of Canberra’s town and groups centres.
“It calls on the Government to put their money where their mouth is by significantly increasing funding to active travel infrastructure,” a Pedal Power spokesperson said. “While the Government says the right things, we need action, not words.”
Mr Steel said: “The ACT Government has been actively consulting with the community on Canberra’s first active travel plan, which sets the vision of encouraging more people to walk and ride to improve our city’s quality of life, and will guide future investment. The final plan will be released at the end of the year.
“We welcome the petition which supports the draft plan, and we look forward to working with stakeholders like Pedal Power on the implementation, including the future cycle infrastructure priorities.
“At every budget, our Government will make investments in active travel to progressively implement the actions under the new plan.
“At the most recent budget, the Labor Government made an additional investment of more than $26 million into walking and cycling infrastructure, including funding to build the new Garden City Cycle Route and funding for a protected cycle way in Kingston and the design of new paths in Gungahlin. This is in addition to the existing pipeline of active travel infrastructure, like the Sulwood Drive Shared Path in Kambah, the William Hovell shared path, and the recently completed Belconnen Bikeway.”
The following organisations signed the petition: the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS), the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), the Conservation Council ACT Region, Greater Canberra, Braddon Collective, Canberra by Bike, We Ride Australia, Canberra Bike Polo, Safe Streets to School Canberra, the Fyshwick Business Association, Village of Hall and District Progress Association, the Public Transport Association of Canberra, Living Streets Canberra, Now I Can Run Inc., SEE-Change, and Switched on Cycles.
