Bligh Government shows support for cycling with funding boost
The Bligh Government will provide $30,000 to cycling groups throughout the state as part of its commitment to support the provision of safe cycling facilities in Queensland. Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall today presented the first instalment of funding â€" $2500 â€" to the Cairns Bicycle User Group as part of the statewide initiative to support Bicycle Queensland.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Bligh Government will provide $30,000 to cycling groups throughout the state as part of its commitment to support the provision of safe cycling facilities in Queensland.
Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall today presented the first instalment of funding – $2500 – to the Cairns Bicycle User Group as part of the statewide initiative to support Bicycle Queensland.
Mr Pitt said each of the 12 Main Roads regions throughout Queensland would make the same amount of funding available to bicycle user groups to help promote Bike Week, Ride to Work Day and other cycling events.
Mr Pitt and Mr Wettenhall met with Cairns Bicycle User Group officials today in the lead-up to the regional sitting of Parliament in Cairns next week.
"Main Roads has a critical role to play in providing cycle facilities and works collaboratively with cycling groups to ensure bicycle facilities are considered when road projects are being planned,” Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads in Cairns has an ongoing partnership with the Cairns Bicycle User Group and regularly consults with its representatives when planning these bicycle facilities.
"This funding contribution demonstrates our support for the valuable role that cycling groups play in contributing to the development of the cycling network," he said.
Cairns Bicycle User Group Manager Lenore Evans said the funding would help the organisation to continue promoting the need for safe bicycle facilities in far north Queensland.
"The provision of these bicycle facilities is essential to keep up with the continued growth of cycling for both transport and recreation," Ms Evans said.
"This funding will enable us to update our administrative systems so we can communicate with our members and with key organisations like Main Roads," she said.
Mr Wettenhall said the increased use of bicycles for transport and recreation contributed directly to the Bligh Government's Toward Q2 vision of reducing obesity, traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
"In today's society we are constantly being made aware of the need to find a healthy balance to our hectic lives," he said.
"By continuing to work with organisations such as Bicycle Queensland and the Cairns Bicycle User Group, we can provide safe alternative transport options that will benefit the entire community."
The Bligh Government has recently implemented several initiatives to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the far north including:
completion of two projects on the Captain Cook Highway to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities at the Machans Beach and Caravonica roundabouts installation of green pavement markings for bicycles at various intersections and roundabouts in Cairns installation of bicycle hook-turn storage boxes at various intersections in Carins, initially implemented during the upgrade of the Mulgrave Road and Severin Street intersection in 2007. The hook turn storage boxes are providing a safer option for cyclists when wanting to make a right-turn at multi-laned intersections and are being installed at identified intersections currently being upgraded across the region.
Media contact: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Barron River Electorate Office 4038 2800
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