BWA wants to #doublebikefunding

[Thoglette]

From a recent email - see also their webpage

WE ARE WORKING TO GET A BETTER DEAL FOR BIKE RIDERS
The 2017 WA State election is only months away and Bicycling Western Australia is already working to get a better deal for our members and all bike riders across Western Australia.

Today we launch our #doublebikefunding campaign and call on all political parties and candidates to make a commitment to #doublebikefunding at the next State election.

#doublebikefunding will enable the Government to complete the high priority projects as outlined in the Western Australian Bicycle Network (WABN) Plan 2012 – 2031 and work toward the goals of the Transport (AT) 3.5 Million Plan.

[Thoglette]

BWA have been updating their page with the responses from various parties
https://www.bwa.org.au/better-biking/847/

WA Liberals - no direct commitment. The Premier, Hon Colin Barnett MLA has responded to us HERE. We will continue advocate to the WA Liberals in an effort to win their support.

WA Labor - 10 February 2017 - WA Labor outlined their commitment to cycling and you can read their full policy position HERE. Read their media statement HERE. Read BWA's media statement HERE.

WA Nationals - no response

WA Greens - full support. The WA Greens had a long standing policy and bike plan for Western Australia. The WA leader of the WA Greens, Hon Robin Chapple MLC, has responded to us HERE.

Australian Cyclist Party - full support. The ACP have indicated they will be standing several candiates in the Legislative Council . A letter of support for #doublebike funding is HERE.

We will continue to advocate and promote #doublebikefunding to the major parties and independents and provid details as they are announced.

(You'll need to go to the BWA page to click through the HERE bits - I'm lazy today)

[CycleSnail]

When I left the cycling circus, funding was at about $14mio pa, or $56mio over four years. If Labor now announces??? $27mio over four years, that would half the direct funding to cycling.....

So how does this related to #doublebikefunding??? Did somebody just roll over?

[Thoglette]

When I left the cycling circus, funding was at about $14mio pa, or $56mio over four years. If Labor now announces??? $27mio over four years, that would half the direct funding to cycling.....

The McGowan press release says "additional" and specifically mentions doubling local council moneys and tripling the PSP spend (which wouldn't cost much )

It's still pennies-in-the-dollar compared to the amount the RAC recommended investing in 2011 ($250M pa) and is a rounding error in the MRD's annual spend ($2B and counting).

[rolandp]

Which works out at $6.25m a year, of which $3m is allocated to bike boulevard (from 2018/19) and doubling local government grants (my estimate $2m) a year. That leaves $1.25m for other cycling infrastructure including the PSP.

If $1.25m is tripling the current PSP expenditure, then this makes it around $400k currently being spent.

And yet BWA and WestCycle appeared to be happy with this in the video.

Wonder what Liberal will announce prior to the election?

[Thoglette]

<material deleted>

[Scott_C]

If $1.25m is tripling the current PSP expenditure, then this makes it around $400k currently being spent.

I find it odd that Labor don't mention the PSP expenditure which should be linked to the MetroNet projects, with the absurd amount of railway they are promising to build there should be a significant amount of new PSP being installed alongside them included in the cost estimates for the railways. On the other hand they are cancelling the PSP extension along Roe 8 so I guess, if anything, that would be less PSP being built in the next 4 years (assuming a realistic timeline for building the railways).

[Red Rider]

More information can be found at markmcgowan.com.au/cycling and Cycling_for_the_future.pdf

The Kwinana Freeway Principal Shared Paths (PSP) is a world standard major cycling artery. But the Mitchell Freeway PSP has by contrast languished. We will make completing and upgrading it a priority.

There will be a focus on public transport infrastructure and cycling facilities will be a key consideration for all new train stations and upgrades to existing train stations. Cycling infrastructure will be a key consideration for all Main Roads WA new and upgrade projects.

WA Labor will invest more in PSP grants to local Government and bicycle boulevards.

A McGowan Labor Government will continue to invest in cycling infrastructure and will:
• Increase the funding to the Principal Shared Path Program to $20 million a year by 2019-20.
• Increase the grants program for local councils to develop local cycling infrastructure and provide $14.66 million over four years.
• Continue to fund the Bike Boulevard program and invest $3 million each year.
The integration of cycling infrastructure into the planning for all new developments will significantly enhance the existing cycling infrastructure and continue to encourage cycling as a form of transport as well as a leisure activity.

A McGowan Labor Government will:
• Require cycling infrastructure to be considered in all Main Roads WA projects.
• Update planning policies to provide for the integration of cycling infrastructure in new major developments.

Local Governments do fantastic work at the front line of providing cycling infrastructure. A McGowan
Labor Government will facilitate regular forums with key government departments such as Main Roads
and the Department of Planning together with local governments to ensure there is a consistent approach to the planning of cycling infrastructure.

• A McGowan Labor Government will organise regular forums with key government departments and local governments to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the planning of cycling infrastructure.

As usual before elections the policy detail is fairly light on so it's difficult to know what they'll actually do and by when, but it looks like overall funding will increase to $26.6m/yr by 2019-20.

[CycleSnail]

It will be interesting to see which version prevails, and of course the possibility of more money is good.

WestCycle, who are hopefully working close with Labor in the formulation of their cycling policy, are of the opinion that the $27mio is spread over four years...

In politics, clarity is a luxury ...

[Red Rider]

It will be interesting to see which version prevails, and of course the possibility of more money is good.

WestCycle, who are hopefully working close with Labor in the formulation of their cycling policy, are of the opinion that the $27mio is spread over four years...

In politics, clarity is a luxury ...

As per the MEDIA RELEASE it is an additional $27m over 4 years. And with the figures in the policy outline it is $20m + ($14.66m / 4) + $3m = $26.6m/yr by 2019-20.

[Scott_C]

The Liberals made their cycling policy announcement today but I can't find a single direct story or article covering it. Cribbing from a multi-topic article from the ABC:

The Liberals rolled out a $47 million plan for expanded cycleways across Perth, including an unbroken path from Joondalup to the city.

Four other routes would be developed as part of the plan including a 30-kilometre path from Hillarys to Fremantle, a 9.5-kilometre route from Perth to City Beach, a 12-kilometre loop in Kings Park and completion of the Swan River cycling circuit.

Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the paths would provide commuting scenic routes for locals and would be a drawcard for visitors to the state.

The plan would be funded with $24 million from government coffers and a further $23 million from the proposed partial sale of Western Power.

Transport Minister Bill Marmion said the Barnett Government had already committed $100 million to upgrading cycle networks.

Labor promised to spend $27 million over four years upgrading cycling infrastructure to integrate with its Metronet rail project.

While the parties have rival plans to boost cycling, they remain at odds over how best to preserve the safety of cyclists.

Labor embraced the idea of trialling a one-metre rule requiring motorists to maintain at least a one-metre safe distance from cyclists.

The Liberals again ruled that out, arguing education of both motorists and cyclists is the best way to reduce accidents involving people on bicycles.

Cycling group WestCycle's CEO, Matt Fulton, was at the launch of both parties' cycling policies, and tried to steer a middle path when questioned on which he preferred.

"I think the end goal here is to keep cyclists safe. We know there is a large portion of cyclists who do get hit from behind," he said.

"Whether that's achieved through education or awareness or an advertising campaign or legislation, it doesn't matter. That's beside the point. We just want cyclists to be safe."

[dmwill]

And it'll probably all be built with a teaspoon.

[Aushiker]

The Liberals made their cycling policy announcement today but I can't find a single direct story or article covering it. Cribbing from a multi-topic article from the ABC

Not surprised. Late yesterday there was no policy document on their website, a tweet to @LiberalWA requesting a link has been ignored and a Facebook post on my local Liberal candiate's page requesting a link or copy of the policy has also been ignored.

At least Labor got back promptly with the information on their policy when requested.

Frankly I am struggling to understand how hard it is to post the policy document to your website when you release the policy. It should be marketing 101.

[Thoglette]

Frankly I am struggling to understand how hard it is to post the policy document to your website when you release the policy. It should be marketing 101.

Depends if it's a core policy or a non core policy :-/

[Mububban]

*accidental duplicate*

[Mububban]

BUMP for election day, this link outlines the cycling policies from the major parties for your consideration:

https://www.bwa.org.au/better-biking/847/

[Thoglette]

Shame no party is proposing to slash the Main Roads Department's budget by 80% - they spend over $2B pa which, according to their annual report is 80 to 90% capital expenditure - (using my acountan'ts definition of "capex" )

That's over $6B over forward estimates being frittered away on "improvements".

No wonder we need to "fix the roads" and still have no money for trains nor bicycle inftrastructure.