Conservation Council Environment Exchange 26 February
Allen Barton Forum ANU
Shaping Policies on Active Transport
Pedal Power ACT’s Perspective
Pedal Power priorities
Programs and activities to get more Canberrans cycling more often for a better community
• New Horizons - 2014 getting women more confident to ride, 2015 women & men
• Cycle Well – basic cycling skills for adults
• Bike Breaks - workplace presentations on how to prepare for cycling
• Pedal Power’s wide range of weekly recreational rides
• Amy’s Big Canberra Bike Ride - this Sunday 1 March, 5–20 km rides for everyone
Planning and infrastructure
• Maintain existing cycle network assets
• Civic Cycle Loop
• Lake Burley Griffin Circuit
o ‘the best half-day ride in Australia’
• Town & Group Centre bikeability
• The Cycling Network
• ACT best practice on cycling facilities and culture
Who’s doing what in government
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Minister for Economic Development; Urban Renewal, Tourism and Events, Andrew Barr
Minister for Planning, Roads & Parking, Mick Gentleman, responsible for Active
Transport, Strategic land use and Transport planning
Minister for TAMS, Justice, Sport & Rec and assisting Chief Minister on Transport
Reform, Shane Rattenbury, responsible for ACTION, RoadsACT, TAMS roads & paths
Minister for Health; Environment; Capital Metro, Simon Corbell, responsible for Healthy
Weights, climate change and energy policy and Environment targets
this spread of responsibilities across government requires superior coordination of active
transport issues
What’s the government doing?
• Transport for Canberra - target to increase cycling levels from 2.8% of journeys to work to
6% by 2016
• Healthy Weights Initiative
• Active Travel Framework - due out in April 2015
What are the objectives of active transport?
• More Canberrans walking, cycling and catching public transport more often
• Why?
o reduction of future health costs
o reduced urban congestion and greenhouse gas emissions
o social inclusion
o more pleasant/enjoyable than being stuck in a car
• Principles officials proposed to underpin the active transport framework:
o Plan, Deliver, Encourage, Manage
• Pedal Power’s additional principles: Collaborate and Fund
Shaping Conservation Council Policies on Active Transport
• develop policies focusing on
o reduced urban congestion and greenhouse gas emissions
o increased enjoyment of the environment as people see and experience it more while
cycling and walking
What should Conservation Council do to bring about change?
• develop policies on environmental benefits of walking and cycling setting out supporting
evidence
• develop and implement a program of raising community and governmental awareness of
the policies and the strategy for implementing them
• liaise with the minister and officials on progress in implementing the policies
• support and hold the government to account for its policies
o Transport for Canberra targets
o Healthy Weights Initiative
o Active Travel Framework
• liaise with and support Pedal Power and Heart Foundation on their advocacy and activities.