5 Nov 2010: Gold Coast: Cycling to Light Rail is the ride choice!

[ozbob]

Media release 5 November 2010

Gold Coast: Cycling to Light Rail is the ride choice!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters applauds the Department of Transport and the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project team for their efforts to integrate bicycle and light rail transport on the Gold Coast.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back on Track strongly supports better integration of Light Rail with cycling, and indeed all public transport modes. It's a cheap and healthy way to increase access and boost rider-ship. The addition of substantial cycling facilities, as far as we know, has not been done elsewhere with Light Rail in Australia. It's likely that this will be a first, and a very welcome innovation."

"Cycling is great for people's health and fighting obesity, which is a national problem. And yes, there is even some evidence that Light Rail encourages people to lose weight, through walking. (1)"

"The addition of cycling facilities is very sensible as opportunities for massive car parks along the proposed routes seem unlikely. Cycling would also increase the catchment area for Light Rail passengers beyond the 800m 'walk up' catchment around stations to potentially many kilometres, boosting rider-ship."

"RAIL back on Track encourages the Gold Coast Rapid Transport project team to supply generous bicycle parking at stations and also ensure that vehicles have hooks or other devices that allow bicycles to be transported inside the Light Rail Vehicles easily. Many overseas Light Rail lines already allow bicycles on board."

"The Gold Coast's roads are reportedly the third most congested in the state.(2) The mode share reported in the Gold Coast Bulletin was just 3% for public transport use, which is extremely poor.(2) Compare this to Los Angeles, City of The Car, which has a mode share of 4.7% by public transport! (3)"

"The Gold Coast Light Rail project will therefore be essential in turning this sorry and very congested state of affairs around. This project will be crucial in supporting tourism, local jobs, the local economy and attracting major events like the Commonwealth Games. And it will give people real choices about whether they want to sit in traffic in their car, or choose to bypass it on Light Rail. If only we had this in Brisbane!"

"Cycling to Light Rail is the ride choice!"

References:

1. The Effect of Light Rail Transit on Body Mass Index and Physical Activity American Journal of
Preventive Medicine, Volume 39, Issue 2 , Pages 105-112, August 2010
http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797%2810%2900297-7/fulltext

2. Coast roads among state's busiest
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/10/22/264755_gold-coast-news.html

3. How dense are we? Another look at urban density and transport patterns in Australia, Canada and
the USA http://mams.rmit.edu.au/fwgm5rdaow29.pdf

4. Ride on time with Coast light rail
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/10/26/265831_gold-coast-news.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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