Award recognises Canberrans love of cycling

ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, this morning received the ‘Contribution by a Politician Award' at the 10th Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards in a ceremony at Old Parliament House.

The award recognises special achievement by a politician who has, by their own example, or by their support for investments and programs, advanced cycling during 2011 and the Chief Minister received the award for her role in transforming key precincts of the city into bicycle and walking friendly areas.

‘While it's great to be acknowledged today, the real reward is in knowing that Canberra is embracing the investments we have made in our cycling network and has the highest participation in bicycling of any capital city', the Chief Minister said.

"The ACT is one of Australia's leaders in adult cycling, in bike ownership and cycling as a way of getting to work.The ACT Government recognises that living in a city where it is easy to get out and be active walking or cycling means a lot to Canberrans.

"The ACT has over 2400 kilometres of footpaths and cycle paths, and the ACT Government increases this on average by 30km every year. This all helps in increasing the amount of travel by cycling to work with our aim to see more than double the number of people choosing bikes instead of cars from 2.5% (2006) to 6% by 2016," the Chief Minister said.

The Transport for Canberra Strategy released this week will also see more bike and ride facilities delivered across the city.

The ACT Labor Government has announced consultation on five new potential sites for bike and ride facilities across Canberra as well as six new potential sites for park and ride facilities which will supplement many popular facilities already being highly utilised by Canberrans.

"Cycling is both a popular sport and recreational activity and is also growing in popularity as a means of transport," the Chief Minister said.

"I am particularly pleased that the ACT Labor Government has been very proactive in encouraging Canberrans to ride resulting in us having one of the highest levels of bike ownership in the nation and, per head of population, we now own more bikes than cars.

"The ongoing provision of improved cycling facilities and the inclusion of cycling events in our upcoming Centenary, demonstrate the ACT Government's commitment to promoting cycling and making it accessible for people of all ages," the Chief Minister concluded.