The National Bicycle Council comprises representatives from each of the state and territory governments, the Bicycle Federation of Australia and the Bicycle Industry and Traders Association. The committee meets three times a year in different jurisdictions. The National Bicycle Council is a cycling policy and advisory arm of the Australian Transport Council. Its principle purpose it to promote national uniformity in relation to cycling and exchange information on best practice in bicycle matters.
The Council’s focus in 1997 is to promote cycling as a healthy lifestyle choice. Another project the Council is involved in, is a review of Austroads Part 14 - Bicycles, Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice. The aim of the review is to improve engineering practice in this area from practical experience gained in the field. A review outcome should be to make roads more cycle-friendly. The Council is also reviewing the operation of the Australian National Bicycle Information Database (ANBI).
The revision of the National Bicycle Strategy (NBS) is a joint project between Austroads and the National Bicycle Council (NBC) - being project managed by the NBC representative from South Australia.
Earlier this year, the state road authorities and Transport Ministers across Australia agreed that the NBS needed to be updated and that a revised version should be forwarded to the Transport Ministers for consideration in December 1998.
In addition to detailing what needs to be done, by whom and by when, the revised strategy will directly link with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage increased physical activity by Australians.
There are currently useful strategies in most states and territories in Australia and we are drawing information from those strategies, along with the current NBS as well as overseas strategies, in this project. This revision does not seek to reinvent the wheel, rather to pull together all current information which is relevant to increasing cycling participation in Australia.
Once finalised, it is our (NBC) expectation that the revised strategy will enable cycling to be incorporated into the activities of appropriate government and private sectors across Australia including transport, health, environment, and tourism.
A discussion paper (July 1998) has prepared to provide background information on the revision of the strategy. This paper is for information only and not for comment at this time.
Summarised below are details of how you can be involved in the revision.
31 July - A 2nd discussion paper (draft strategy), a standard comments proforma (to help target comments and enable effective reporting at the national level) and, information regarding further opportunities for you to participate will be posted here.
31 July - 12 August You will be able to review the 2nd discussion paper and forward any comments using the proforma.
13 / 14 August Consultation will take place in all states / territories.
February 1999 The approved 1999 National Bicycle Strategy will be posted
The revised Strategy will be launched at the VelOZity cycling conference, to be held in Adelaide in February 1999
In mid August workshops were held in all states and territories across Australia to gather information from stakeholders about what should be in a revised national strategy and which initiatives were seen as the highest priority.
For those who were unable to attend the workshops, comment on the Strategy was provided in writing using the pro-forma. Many participants chose to add additional initiatives that they felt were important for consideration as part of the Strategy.
Australia wide, through attendance at workshops and provision of written comments, we have had input from more than 450 interested parties, including members of the public and the organisations that will, in a variety of ways, be responsible for implementation of the Strategy.
I would like to personally thank everyone who attended the workshops and/or provided written comments. The information gathered has been invaluable in revising the Strategy.
The Steering Group has reviewed the information received and has prepared a proposed Strategy (Australia Cycling The National Strategy) for consideration by the Australian Transport Council in December.
The proposed Strategy currently includes the following 6 objectives:-
Below each of these objectives are detailed strategies which identify, at a high level, what needs to be undertaken to achieve the objective. The Strategy now also includes targets, performance measures and timeframes.
It is still our intention that the Strategy will be launched at VelOZity in February 1999. If you would like to receive a copy of the VelOZity registration booklet, please email me your postal address.
Following the Strategy's launch at VelOZity, I can either forward you a final glossy copy via the post or it will be available on the internet. When you receive the Strategy, please remember that it has been written in a national context at the highest strategic level. There are or will be strategies and action plans in each state and territory which detail further what will be done at the local level to enable the vision of the National Strategy to be realised.
Once again, thank you for your interest in the revision of this Strategy and cycling in Australia. I look forward to sending you a copy of the final Strategy.
Terry Ryan
PROJECT MANAGER,
NATIONAL BICYCLE STRATEGY REVISION
For more information call Tracey, Executive Officer, National Bicycle Strategy Revision on PH: 08 8343 2752 FAX: 08 8343 2708
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