The national independent voice for cycling, We Ride Australia, says it applauds the Australian government’s budget announcement this week of a $500 million investment over 10 years to build walking and riding infrastructure across the nation.
This milestone funding will build the paths and bikeways for kids to ride to school, families to get around their community safely and people who’d like to save some money and get exercise while commuting to work.
Health and transport benefits
WeRide Executive Officer Peter Bourke said, ‘This announcement reflects the strong demand we are seeing from communities across Australia who want to provide more options to move around our increasingly congested cities and towns, while also helping to build a healthier population.
‘The new funding builds on the success of Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King’s highly successful Active Transport Fund. ’
WeRide says it congratulates Minister King and the government on this investment and their ongoing commitment to the future of local communities.
‘ This latest half billion-dollar investment follows a sustained national effort by We Ride Australia, in collaboration with the active transport sector, to establish the economic, transport and health benefits of cycling,’ said Mr Bourke.
WeRide also recognises the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling group, Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, the Hon Andrew Wallace MP and Dr Helen Haines MP, who contributed to this outstanding outcome.
WeRide says it looks forward to working with Minister King, her department and local governments across Australia to deliver these transformational projects.
