See below Pedal Power ACT's response. Feel free to join the chorus of
cyclists who are providing feedback to the NRMA, the Liberals and the
Government here in the AC on this issue.
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Pedal Power Special Bulletin
Saturday 14th August 2006
NRMA Media Release on On-road Bicycle Lanes
This week the NRMA attacked the safety of Canberra’s on-road cycle
lanes, following a study and survey on cycle lanes it has conducted. See
www.mynrma.com.au/2006_061012.asp. The report appears to emphasise
perceptions of the lanes as unsafe rather than providing any factual
evidence to support these perceptions, but as it has not yet been made
public, it is impossible to comment on it.
On-road cycling lanes are not a unique Canberra invention, but are found
in every major Australian city and throughout the world. In Australia
they are built to national standards agreed by expert traffic planners
and engineers. Pedal Power will continue to promote their introduction
on major roads. This is also ACT Government and Roads ACT policy. Of
course Pedal Power is also willing to work with others to improve the
network, where improvements are needed, and we strongly support the
maintenance and extension of the off-road network.
ACT Liberal Urban Services Spokesman Steve Pratt yesterday called for
cycling lanes to be removed in response to the NRMA’s comments. See
www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1763729.htm. Pedal Power believes
this would greatly increase the danger and decrease the practicality of
cycling, and set Canberra back decades in sustainable transport practices.
To ensure support for on-road cycling lanes, we NEED the support of our
members and the wider cycling community. Here is what YOU can do:
* send an email to Urban Services Minister John Hargreaves at
[email hidden] briefly and politely emphasising your support for
on-road cycling lanes
* send an email to your local Liberal member (see
www.canberraliberals.org.au/default.cfm?action=people&type=1) briefly
and politely explaining your support for on-road cycling lanes
* if you are an NRMA member, send an email to
[email hidden] stating your support for on-road cycling lanes,
and politely reminding them that you are a voter in the NRMA’s elections
* forward this email to your cycling friends.
Please help us keep the Canberra cycle lane network in place and growing.
John Widdup
President
Pedal Power ACT Inc.