$40m For Jobs And Cycle Paths Is A Healthy Outcome For All 1

$40m for Jobs and Cycle Paths is a Healthy Outcome for All

Today's announcements by the Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, naming the first major cycling infrastructure projects to be funded under the $40m Cycle Paths Fund has been warmly welcomed by the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA), Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) and Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).

This group of organisations shares a common vision and view about the benefit of physical activity on physical and mental well being and is united in its support for the funding of these projects that are expected to:

* 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
* create between 500 and 700 local jobs, contributing to economic recovery
* ease traffic congestion, and
* create better urban environments for us all.

The announcements today for major investments in the Sydney cycle path network ($5.4m) and Tasmanian projects ($2.2m) follow the release of the latest participation figures for cycling that show 337,000 more Australians rode a bike in 2008 compared to the year before (ERASS 2009).

Speaking on behalf of the CPF, spokesperson Stephen Hodge said, 'This investment comes at a time of increasing awareness of cycling as a great way to increase our everyday physical activity.'

He added, 'We don't need to reinvent the wheel! More bikes are sold each year than cars... we just need the paths to ride on and thanks to this government more will be built.'

Spokesperson for the ACDPA, Professor Ian Olver, said, 'This is a great initiative for encouraging increased physical activity and an important part of the broader strategy that needs to be put in place to combat rising obesity levels in the community, as recommended by the government's Preventative Health Taskforce.

"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.'

PHAA Chief Executive Officer, Michael Moore, cites the positive impact the cycle paths will have on public health. 'This investment in cycle paths by the Australian Government will encourage physical activity in the community and thereby help to reduce the growing burden on health and hospital systems across the country,' said Mr Moore.

'Improving community infrastructure like cycle paths will bring a range of health and environmental benefits that will continue for years to come.'

The ACDPA, CPF and PHAA congratulate the government on their efforts to build healthpromoting community infrastructure and support job creation through the Cycle Paths Fund and the Australian Greens, who negotiated the Fund as part of the Rudd economic stimulus package.

All parties to this statement further urge the Minister to consider expanding the Fund to an annually funded program so that the benefits can be expanded to many more communities around the country.

Media inquiries:
Cycling Promotion Fund: Stephen Hodge 0411 149 910
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance: Paul Grogan 0409 456 727
Michael Moore, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia: 0417 249 731

Quick Facts
* The $40m Cycle Paths Fund is part of the Rudd Government $650m Jobs Fund
economic stimulus package
* 1,928,100 Australians rode a bike in 2008, a 21% increase on the year before (ERASS 2009)
* In 2008, for the ninth year in a row Australian bicycle sales outstripped motor vehicle sales. Australians are not just buying bikes, they are using them increasingly frequently.
* Census figures show a 28% increase in riding to work across Australian capital cities. This growth is largely centred in areas with superior levels of bicycle infrastructure.
* Over 50% of car trips in Australian cities are under 5km and 30% are less than 3 km, ideal distances for travelling by bike.

The Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) is an alliance of five nongovernment health organisations who are working together in the primary prevention of chronic disease, with particular emphasis on the shared risk factors of poor nutrition, physical inactivity and overweight and obesity. The members of the ACDPA are:

* Cancer Council Australia
* Diabetes Australia
* Kidney Health Australia
* National Heart Foundation of Australia
* The National Stroke Foundation

The Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) is an initiative of the bicycle industry in Australia. It is a leading advocate for and source of information and advice on cycling, see www.cyclingpromotion.com.au.

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is a national organisation comprising around 1500 individual members and representing over 40 professional groups concerned to promote health at a population level. This includes, but goes beyond the treatment of individuals to encompass health promotion, prevention of disease and disability, recovery and rehabilitation, and disability support. This framework, together with attention to the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, provides particular relevance to, and expertly informs the Association's role.

Reference:
Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport, 2009. Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey 2008 Annual Report, Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government, Canberra. http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/304384/ERASS_Report_2008.pdf

SOURCE: Cycling Promotion Fund