Greens applaud ambitious cycling announcement from WA Liberals.
"It is not often the Greens come out in support of the WA Liberal Party, but the commitment to spend $80m on cycling infrastructure calls for it," said Dr Brad Pettitt, Greens Candidate for South Metro and spokesperson on transport, who is also on the Board of WestCycle.
"Cycling is a critical element of our transport network and it has been grossly underfunded for far too long."
"The WA Government has made some welcome investment in the cycling network, and funded some great recreational cycling facilities - but it is not getting the serious attention and funding it deserves if we are to get a substantial portion of people out of their cars."
"Cycling can really help address congestion if adequate infrastructure is provided, but this WA Government keeps widening and extending roads - which we know is not the way to reduce traffic congestion."
"There is no more effective way to address congestion than to offer safe and convenient cycling infrastructure that gives people a choice about how they move around Perth."
"Zak Kirkup is BRINGING a breath of fresh air from the Liberal Party with this attitude and understanding. I welcome his ambitious vision for cycling in WA - it is just what is needed," Dr Pettitt said. "I just wish Rita Saffiotti would jump on a bike sometime and realise the same potential!"
The WA Greens Transport policy calls for:
• completion of the Perth Bicycle Network as a priority
• complete a vision for an integrated Bicycle Network for every significant regional community in Western Australia
• implement the Greens Bike Vision 2029, providing new education programs and infrastructure that provide safe routes to every school in Perth; and that safely connects people to train stations, shopping centres and employment hubs by bike
• fund cycling infrastructure and programs at three per cent of the State Transport Budget to meet the target to double the mode share (adopted by all governments in the National Cycling Strategy)
