18 November 2008
$40m for jobs and cycle paths is a healthy outcome for all
The Heart Foundation and Bicycle Queensland applaud the Member for Oxley Bernie
Ripoll for his stance on the benefits that increasing participation in cycling will
bring.
Mr
Ripoll put forward a
motion
in the Federal House of Representatives
supporting
the benefits of getting more Australians active on two wheels. This was a first for the
Australian Parliament and warmly supported by both government and the cross
benches.
Rachelle Foreman, Heart Foundation Health Director
emphasised the strong
bipartisan support for the motion.
‘It is very encouraging that a total of six Members of the Federal Parliament chose to
speak on the national, regional and local benefits of getting more people on bikes’,
says Ms Foreman.
‘We hope that following significant spending on cycling and walking infrastructure this
year by the Rudd and Bligh Governments, that both
Governments
continue their
efforts to lower the barriers to getting more Australians on a bike’.
Bicycle Queensland also added their support to the motion which places on the
Parliamentary record the support of the Members for the benefits of cycling.
Bicycle Queensland Manager Ben Wilson says ‘Australian bicycle purchases have
been higher than motor vehicles for the past 7 years. We have a nation of people who
want to be more active and they are waiting on safe places to ride.’
Bicycle Queensland and the Heart Foundation strongly endorse the concept of a
national bikeway program for the health, environmental, social and economic
(reduced congestion) benefits that it would bring.
Both organisations share a common vision and view about the benefits that increased
cycling infrastructure will have on the physical and mental well being of Australians:
provide more opportunities for Australians to be active in their daily lives
make it easier for Australians to replace short car trips with walking and cycling
fight the obesity epidemic
ease traffic congestion, and
create better urban environments for us all.
Being physically active, having a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are all
important ways to reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, kidney disease and some cancers. The cycle paths to be built will
give more Australians a reason to get on their bikes and keep fit and healthy far into
the future.
For more information please contact:
Jill Sims, Media & Communications Manager, Heart Foundation 07 3872 2541
M: 0421 911 116
Ben Wilson, Manager, Bicycle Queensland M: 0429 384 411
NEWS 
