Cycling in Western Australia
The Western Australian Government's State-wide investment in cycling facilities has been recognised in a national report, showing WA has overtaken Victoria to become the main cycling State in Australia. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced that the "Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey Annual Report 2004", found WA had achieved the largest growth in cycling in Australia.
"The growing success of cycling in WA demonstrates that the State Government's $60million investment in cycling infrastructure, enhanced by its integration with public transport and major destinations, is paying dividends," Alannah MacTiernan said.
Over the last four years, the WA Government has built 184km of bike paths in the metropolitan area and 183km of bike paths in regional areas. More than 350km of on-road bike facilities have also been created across the State.
"This, combined with the success of the Cycle Instead campaign, has proved very effective in boosting cycling levels in WA," the Minister said.
"The report also highlights that the gap between female and male cyclists is smaller in WA than any other State, suggesting that efforts to target women also have been successful.
"The shared path network has been particularly effective, with off-road facilities appearing to appeal to women particularly."
Bicycles outsell cars in Australia again
Australians bought more bicycles than motor vehicles in 2005, according to official figures released today by the motor and bicycle industries. Bicycle sales in Australia topped 1.1 million for the fourth straight year of million-plus sales.
The Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF), Australia's peak bicycle promotional body, said bike sales for 2005 ended up 13 per cent ahead of the motor vehicles total of 988,269 - the sixth year that bikes had outsold cars.
CPF program director Rosemarie Speidel said the massive rate at which Australians bought bicycles reflected the ever-increasing popularity of cycling as a form of recreation, sport and transport.
"Cycling is Australia's fourth most popular physical activity after walking, aerobics and swimming - and ahead of golf," she said.
"The Exercise Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) conducted by the federal and state governments shows that participation in cycling grew by 15.3 per cent from 2001 to 2004." By contrast, tennis declined 4.2 per cent, netball declined 7.9 per cent and golf remained stagnant.
"We are seeing more and more people riding bikes for recreation, sport as well as everyday transport, which has to be a good thing for the health of a country where obesity is a major health concern.
"There has also been huge growth in cycling events and bicycle tourism, which helps to boost regional economies with the influx of competitors, spectators and tourists."
Rosemarie Speidel said feedback from the bicycle industry indicated that the strong sales covered everything from everyday recreational bikes right through to high-end road and competition bicycles.
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