Greens pledge $40 million to double Council funding for bikeways
10 February 2008
Brisbane to become Australia’s most bikeable city
The Greens have announced a $40 million election promise to triple the length of Brisbane’s bicycle network by 2015, by doubling Council’s current annual funding commitment.
Ms Jo Bragg, Green’s Lord Mayoral Candidate said, “The Greens are the only party committed to providing healthy alternatives to vehicle transport. Our children deserve safe bikeways so they can go safely to school and visit their friends in their local community. Our commuters deserve safe bikeways to local shops and to work.”
“Every year, thousands of children world wide are killed by cars and millions avoid cycling due to safety concerns. The Greens will turn this around and make Brisbane Australia’s safest and most bikeable city for all the family.”
“The current Council spent less than three per cent of its mammoth $650 million transport budget on bikeways, even though bike sales have beaten car sales for the past three years.
“Cycling is one of the fastest growing and most popular recreational activities in Brisbane, and needs to be supported by responsible leadership in local council.
“Campbell Newman and Labor have ignored public preferences in favour of developing big road projects that generate profits for big companies and pollution for local people.
“It’s time for Brisbane to elect a true green heart for local council, instead of a green shark.”
Ms Bragg said the Greens’ bikeway policy would include on-road bicycle zones and off-road bike paths, with cyclists and pedestrians separated where possible.
“The Greens will place a greater emphasis on improving conditions for people cycling to shops, schools and workplaces. Our children need to be able to cycle safely to school and to visit their friends and local shops in safety.”
“We’ll all have punctured tyres if we continue to allow Campbell Newman and Labor to ignore Brisbane’s bicycle network.
“Our infrastructure is in unhealthy shape and needs urgent attention.
“The Greens are the only party that can deliver local bikeways for a healthy future,” Ms Bragg said.
Greens candidates speak out
Rob Scott, Greens candidate for Parkinson and keen cyclist said the Greens package included much needed pedestrian and bicycle paths between Forest Lake and Parkinson and an extension of the Bicentennial bikeway to Forest Lake.
Stuart Skabo, Greens candidate for Toowong and regular cyclist said locals would be delighted at plans to bring forward construction of the Toowong Feeder (Toowong Creek Greenway)
Drew Hutton, Greens candidate for The Gabba who has conducted much of his campaigning by bicycle, will fight to improve cycling opportunities in the Gabba.
Contact
Ms Jo Bragg, Greens Lord Mayoral Candidate for Brisbane
0406 916 657
Rob Scott, Greens Candidate for Parkinson
0407 153 915
Stuart Skabo, Greens Candidate for Toowong
0411 821 248
Drew Hutton Greens candidate for the Gabba
0428 487 110
Link to Cycling initiative with details of policy.
Jo Bragg (Ms)
Greens' Lord Mayoral Candidate for Brisbane
Contact: 0406 916 657
