Marrickville prioritises cycle infrastructure

By Lydia Watson-Moore

Marrickville Council has promised almost one million dollars for its cycle infrastructure  in its 2015/16 budget, a move welcomed by the growing cycling community in the area.
At the latest Council meeting last Tuesday June 9, councillors agreed to increase spending to $949,000, which Greens councillor Sylvie Ellsmore said is double the current cycle budget.
Clr Ellsmore said it was exciting that Council had agreed to support Marrickville’s developing cycling culture.
“The role of the Council is to invest in community assets, and we see bike paths as part of our core business,” she told City Hub.
Clr Ellsmore said the money would be spent on several separate cycleways, as well as clear signage, shared footpaths, bike traffic lights and safer roundabouts.
John Caley, President of the Bike Marrickville community group, said that numbers of riders in Marrickville had greatly increased in recent years.
“Bike Marrickville is very pleased that Marrickville has proposed to double its spending on cycle infrastructure,” he said.
Mr Caley said cycle infrastructure was value for money, due to reduced traffic congestion, less air pollution and improved safety of riders.
Douglas Kirkham, President of the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club, also expressed support for Marrickville Council’s budget increases.
Mr Kirkham discussed the recent Super Tuesday Bicycle Count statistics, published by the Bicycle Network, which showed tthe Marrickville LGA had Sydney’s highest rate of female riders.
“Women comprised 26 percent of commuters… women and children are much more likely to ride if they perceive it to be safe, and this usually means infrastructure,” he said.
Bicycle NSW CEO Ray Rice said that his organisation was thrilled to see local councils supporting cyclists, as opposed to an inadequate state government reaction.
“We applaud local councils who increase infrastructure spending on cycling, because it’s great for locals,” he said.
Marrickville’s increased funding for cycle infrastructure comes as tensions between bike riders and Transport for NSW have heightened in the CBD due to the demolition of  the College St cycleway and delays to the promised Castlereagh St track.
Bicycle NSW led a protest last Thursday June 2 to lobby the government on this removal of cycle infrastructure.
Mr Rice said the rally was a success with a large crowd, and that this sort of protesting was needed in order to see action.
“In the past we’ve taken the low key approach, had meetings with ministers, and basically we’ve been led astray,” he said.
Mr Rice said bicycle infrastructure is crucial, not only for safety, but for health of the community amidst Australia’s obesity problem.
Greens NSW MLC Dr Mehreen Faruqi spoke at the rally, and told City Hub the NSW government needs to realise bicycle commuting was becoming increasingly common.
“The government has been put on notice: cyclists and transport advocates across Sydney are fed up with their inaction in this issue, which puts cyclists at risk every single day.”