1 April 2006 - Choosing active
transport options such as cycling can help reduce
pollution and congestion, improve our health and
tackle climate change, the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
Senator Campbell today congratulated cyclists
finishing the 90 km Great Western Australian Bike
Ride at Langley Park in Perth, WA. Today’s leg
was the last 90 km of a 1000 km two-week ride
from Albany.
“This is a great community event that shows how
alternative transport modes can be both healthy
and fun,” he said.
“The Australian Government supports our local
communities to increase their health and improve
their local environment by choosing to cycle rather
than jumping in their car.”
Australian households contribute 20 per cent of
Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions with
a third of this coming from transport.
“Everyone can play their part in reducing Australia’s
transport emissions. Simple things like encouraging
your children to ride or walk to school, walking
to the shops, driving to work with a colleague,
or ditching the car for your next holiday and
trying a cycle tour instead, are both fun and
worthwhile,” Senator Campbell said.
“The Government works closely with a range of
organisations on projects as diverse as the Women’s
Cycling Network, the Centre for Excellence in
Cycle Tourism, and Cycle Connect grants for bike
lockers at bus and train stations to help people
make easier transport choices.
“As well as promoting cycling, my department is
also setting an example – taking practical steps
to encourage its staff to cycle to work and cycle
to meetings. The Department of Environment and
Heritage fleet of seven bikes each year travels
2400 km, saves $3000 in transport costs, reduces
greenhouse gas emissions and provides staff with
160 hours of healthy exercise. It’s an award winning
example of practicing what we preach.
“Congratulations to all who took part in this
ride – these efforts are a good example for the
rest of the community,” he said.
