❓ Mrs Godfrey asks about the Barnett government's commitment to cycling on Ride to Work Day. Minister Nalder responds by outlining the WA Bicycle Network Plan, infrastructure investments, and specific projects underway and planned.
AnsweredQoN 798Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLING — RIDE TO WORK DAY
798. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for Transport:
Today is Ride to Work Day. Would the Minister for Transport
provide an update to the house on the Barnett government's commitment
to cycling?
798. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for Transport:
Today is Ride to Work Day. Would the Minister for Transport
provide an update to the house on the Barnett government's commitment
to cycling?
AnswerView source ↗
Today I participated in Ride to Work Day, and I would like to
acknowledge other members of the house who were there with me in lycra this
morning; I am sure that everyone is happy that we are no longer in our lycra!
The SPEAKER : Very happy, minister!
Mr D.C. NALDER : Thank you; I will not go on about
that!
It is a very important day to acknowledge cycling in Western
Australia. What is this government doing? The government is doing a
considerable number of things; and I really appreciate the member for Belmont's
question. In March of this year I released the final ''Western
Australian Bicycle Network Plan 2014–2031''. The aim of the plan
is to make WA a place where cycling is safe, connected, convenient, and a
widely accepted form of transport.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : Can you tell the Premier to stop
attacking cyclists?
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I have called you
once. I am not going to call you twice. I do not want any more noise while the
minister is answering the question.
Mr D.C. NALDER : We want to make sure that cycling is a
widely accepted form of transport. We want to double the number of cycling
trips within five years. Over 400 000 Western Australians cycle on a weekly
basis—close to 22 per cent of the population. Thirty per cent cycle on
at least a monthly basis. Given the population growth of this state and the
increased percentages, it shows that it is growing rapidly and therefore
requires government to look at the infrastructure it provides to ensure that
everybody can cycle safely to and from work.
Over the 2014–15 and 2017–18 periods, the
government has committed $100 million to cycling infrastructure. There are over
180 kilometres of cyclepaths currently available to cyclists throughout the
state. Some of the designed projects have commenced and some have recently been
completed. For this year, the projects include Kwinana Freeway. I ride on it. I
know that most people I speak to are quite happy —
Mr C.J. Tallentire : How many new kilometres? That was
just maintenance work.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order
for the second time. If you want to ask a question, put your name down.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I am listing
the number of projects that are underway, commenced or being completed. That
one has been completed. It was important. Some major work was required around
the Mill Point Road exit that made it unsafe for cyclists. Along the Perth–Midland
rail line, which is from Bassendean station to Success Hill station, a new path
is to commence shortly, member for Gosnells. Along the Kwinana Freeway, there
is a new path from Scandrett Way to London Way, member for Gosnells. Along the
Mitchell Freeway, there is a new path from Erindale Road to Balcatta Road,
member for Gosnells. That is all for this year.
The member for Belmont asked about
projects for 2015. Paths are being undertaken at Belmont. Member for
Forrestfield, there is 21 kilometres of new path as part of the Gateway
project. Every time we build a new road project we will put new bike paths in.
In 2015, we have the Perth–Midland rail line, which is Guildford
station to Morrison Road. That is a new path, member for Gosnells. On the Perth–Fremantle
rail line, there is Loch Street station to Shenton Park station. By the way,
that is a new path, member for Gosnells. On the Mitchell Freeway, there is
Karrinyup Road to Erindale Road. That is also a new path, member for Gosnells.
The state government has not only implemented new paths, it has put in a number
of other initiatives to ensure it is safe for all cyclists.
We recently announced a $300 000 communication, in
conjunction with the Office of Road Safety, to lift awareness for all cyclists
and drivers —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order
for the third time.
Mr P.B. Watson : He is directly talking to him!
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order
for the third time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : This is a serious program. A large
number of Western Australians ride bicycles on a daily, weekly or monthly
basis. This is really important. It is important to share with the house
exactly what this government is doing. It is doing a lot. For example, it is
working with local governments to develop or update their bicycle network plans
at a local level. There is a focus on improving cycling facilities to and from
schools through the connections to schools grants program. It is installing
well delineated on-road cycle facilities such as bike lanes and head start
facilities at signalised intersections. That can be seen on Great Eastern
Highway. The government is installing Share the Road signage adjacent to
integrated cycle routes. It is trialling the inclusion of bike education in the
2015–16 Perth Bicycle Network grants. The department is engaged on a
bimonthly basis to oversee the implementation of the Western Australian bicycle
network plan. This includes the Western Australian Local Government Association
—
The SPEAKER : Wind it up, please!
Mr D.C. NALDER : — RAC WA, Bicycle Transport
Alliance, Bicycling Western Australia and WestCycle.
I will finish off with this: there is always an opportunity
to improve. Today I was approached by a member of the public who said a greater
emphasis on sharing roads with cyclists should be implemented as part of the
learner driver process. I think that is a great idea. It makes excellent sense.
It is something I will ask the Department of Transport to pursue.
acknowledge other members of the house who were there with me in lycra this
morning; I am sure that everyone is happy that we are no longer in our lycra!
The SPEAKER : Very happy, minister!
Mr D.C. NALDER : Thank you; I will not go on about
that!
It is a very important day to acknowledge cycling in Western
Australia. What is this government doing? The government is doing a
considerable number of things; and I really appreciate the member for Belmont's
question. In March of this year I released the final ''Western
Australian Bicycle Network Plan 2014–2031''. The aim of the plan
is to make WA a place where cycling is safe, connected, convenient, and a
widely accepted form of transport.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : Can you tell the Premier to stop
attacking cyclists?
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I have called you
once. I am not going to call you twice. I do not want any more noise while the
minister is answering the question.
Mr D.C. NALDER : We want to make sure that cycling is a
widely accepted form of transport. We want to double the number of cycling
trips within five years. Over 400 000 Western Australians cycle on a weekly
basis—close to 22 per cent of the population. Thirty per cent cycle on
at least a monthly basis. Given the population growth of this state and the
increased percentages, it shows that it is growing rapidly and therefore
requires government to look at the infrastructure it provides to ensure that
everybody can cycle safely to and from work.
Over the 2014–15 and 2017–18 periods, the
government has committed $100 million to cycling infrastructure. There are over
180 kilometres of cyclepaths currently available to cyclists throughout the
state. Some of the designed projects have commenced and some have recently been
completed. For this year, the projects include Kwinana Freeway. I ride on it. I
know that most people I speak to are quite happy —
Mr C.J. Tallentire : How many new kilometres? That was
just maintenance work.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order
for the second time. If you want to ask a question, put your name down.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I am listing
the number of projects that are underway, commenced or being completed. That
one has been completed. It was important. Some major work was required around
the Mill Point Road exit that made it unsafe for cyclists. Along the Perth–Midland
rail line, which is from Bassendean station to Success Hill station, a new path
is to commence shortly, member for Gosnells. Along the Kwinana Freeway, there
is a new path from Scandrett Way to London Way, member for Gosnells. Along the
Mitchell Freeway, there is a new path from Erindale Road to Balcatta Road,
member for Gosnells. That is all for this year.
The member for Belmont asked about
projects for 2015. Paths are being undertaken at Belmont. Member for
Forrestfield, there is 21 kilometres of new path as part of the Gateway
project. Every time we build a new road project we will put new bike paths in.
In 2015, we have the Perth–Midland rail line, which is Guildford
station to Morrison Road. That is a new path, member for Gosnells. On the Perth–Fremantle
rail line, there is Loch Street station to Shenton Park station. By the way,
that is a new path, member for Gosnells. On the Mitchell Freeway, there is
Karrinyup Road to Erindale Road. That is also a new path, member for Gosnells.
The state government has not only implemented new paths, it has put in a number
of other initiatives to ensure it is safe for all cyclists.
We recently announced a $300 000 communication, in
conjunction with the Office of Road Safety, to lift awareness for all cyclists
and drivers —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order
for the third time.
Mr P.B. Watson : He is directly talking to him!
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order
for the third time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : This is a serious program. A large
number of Western Australians ride bicycles on a daily, weekly or monthly
basis. This is really important. It is important to share with the house
exactly what this government is doing. It is doing a lot. For example, it is
working with local governments to develop or update their bicycle network plans
at a local level. There is a focus on improving cycling facilities to and from
schools through the connections to schools grants program. It is installing
well delineated on-road cycle facilities such as bike lanes and head start
facilities at signalised intersections. That can be seen on Great Eastern
Highway. The government is installing Share the Road signage adjacent to
integrated cycle routes. It is trialling the inclusion of bike education in the
2015–16 Perth Bicycle Network grants. The department is engaged on a
bimonthly basis to oversee the implementation of the Western Australian bicycle
network plan. This includes the Western Australian Local Government Association
—
The SPEAKER : Wind it up, please!
Mr D.C. NALDER : — RAC WA, Bicycle Transport
Alliance, Bicycling Western Australia and WestCycle.
I will finish off with this: there is always an opportunity
to improve. Today I was approached by a member of the public who said a greater
emphasis on sharing roads with cyclists should be implemented as part of the
learner driver process. I think that is a great idea. It makes excellent sense.
It is something I will ask the Department of Transport to pursue.
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