[Greens-Media] Roozendaal's new bike no answer to North Shore bike path woes

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon Media Release 2 April 2008

Roozendaal's new bike no answer to North Shore bike path woes

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal should take
the government's failure to progress two North Shore cycleways more
seriously, following yesterday's question time in NSW Parliament where
he dodged the issue by focusing on his new 27 speed bike * a birthday
present from his wife - and his lycra bike shorts (text of Hansard
below).

"The Roads Minister refused to answer my questions on the progress of
the Chatswood to Warringah Mall and Sydney Harbour Bridge to Warringah
Mall cycleways which are due to be completed by 2009," Ms Rhiannon
said.

"Minister Roozendaal provided a non-answer to my question about
implementation of the RTA's Action for Bikes * Bike Plan 2010.

"Trivialising the issue by joking about his new bike, helmet and lycra
bike shorts is symbolic of how little the Iemma government cares about
building world class cycle infrastructure in Sydney.

"My request for a progress report on two major cycle paths was met with
school yard banter but little detail. Residents on the North Shore
deserve better," Ms Rhiannon said. 

Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Council, 1 April 2008, Proof)

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I direct my question to the Minister for Roads. Will
the Minister inform the House of the progress on the Roads and Traffic
Authority's Action for Bikes-BikePlan 2010 considering that this report
stipulates that two of the cycleways-one from Chatswood to Warringah
Mall and the other from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Warringah Mall-will
be completed by 2009? Can the Minister inform the House of any progress
reports on these two projects and if local bicycle groups and councils
have been consulted? When will work on this project commence, as it is
supposed to be completed next year, and are detailed maps or plans
available? If local bike groups and local councils have not been
consulted, will the Minister commit to ensure that this happens before
the project commences?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I have recently become the owner of a bike, a
nice 27-speed bike, which was a gift from my wife for my birthday. She
included a helmet as well, as it is very important for people to wear
helmets. On becoming the owner of a bike I decided to check how many
kilometres of cycleways we have in New South Wales and I am advised that
we have over 3,900 kilometres of cycleways in New South Wales for
cyclists. In 1999 the New South Wales Government committed $251 million
over 10 years to deliver an average of 200 kilometres of cycling
facilities per year. I am pleased to advise that the Government has
provided an average of 233 kilometres of cycling facilities each year
since 1999, which exceeds the projections. A further $15 million of
works are to be completed this financial year. I am advised that the
Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] is directly funding bicycle-specific
programs valued at $7.6 million. These will deliver cycling-specific
infrastructure, education and promotion, including more than $3 million
to match local government contributions for 93 local bicycle projects.

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: Can't you just see Eric in lycra tights?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: Actually, I have some bike shorts and I look
very nice in them too. The RTA is also providing facilities for the use
of cyclists as part of major road construction projects. Such facilities
include both sealed shoulders and paths shared with pedestrians to the
value of $7.4 million in the 2007-08 year. The Government is committed
to building off-road shared paths wherever practicable when new roads
are built and to link these with existing cycleways wherever possible.
One of the most recent cycleways that the Government has introduced is
the Epping Road cycleway, which is an excellent piece of infrastructure,
as part of the final aspects of the completion of the Lane Cove Tunnel
and exp
anded Gore Hill Freeway. The Government remains committed to
improving cycling for all the community around New South Wales.

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I ask a supplementary question. Does the Minister's
inability to answer the question about the Roads and Traffic Authority's
Action for Bikes-Bike Plan 2010 mean that he has never heard about it,
or he is not committed to it, or it is not proceeding? The PRESIDENT:
Order! That is not a supplementary question.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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