Article: MP pledges support for bike track

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From the Queensland Times click here!

MP pledges support for bike track

MP pledges support for bike track

Peter Foley | 26th August 2011

IPSWICH MP Rachel Nolan has pledged her supports for a safe cycling facility in Ipswich and says the State Government will help pay for it.

Ms Nolan was scheduled to speak in State Parliament last night about the need for a recreational bike track in the city.

Before she spoke, Ms Nolan told the Queensland Times, Ipswich City Council and the Ipswich Cycling Club needed to work together.

"The first thing the council needs to do is, in co-operation with the cycling club, decide on a preferred location and then come up with a business case around it," Ms Nolan said.

"Then the State has the capacity on a 50-50 funding basis to put money into it."

She was due to tell parliament about the terrible loss experienced by the Ipswich cycling community when Narelle Dobinson died after the bike she was riding and a car collided last month.

Mrs Dobinson was the third member of the Ipswich Cycling Club killed while riding in the past few months.

"Mrs Dobinson was a very well liked and regarded woman, the mother of sons Troy, Brett, Dave and Donna, a sister to the Taylor boys, and a well known Ipswich family who I have known all my life and a very active person in broader Ipswich community," the speech read.

"July and August had been a really exciting time in the cycling world.

"Each night, those of us who loved to ride, had been staying up to watch Cadel in the Tour and then meeting sometimes a little weary to ride together and talk about his progress the next day.

"It was the Sunday after Cadel won the time trial and in effect the race, that Mrs Dobinson's accident took place. She died in hospital a week later.

"Narelle Dobinson had been active in the Ipswich cycling club, including teaching bike safety to others, and in her honour the family have created the 24/7 Cycling Fund.

"The fund is raising money towards the establishment of a bike facility in Ipswich and in keeping with Mrs Dobinson's work and her passion for the cause; they aim to raise awareness of bike safety.

"Delivering the eulogy Mrs Dobinson's son Troy said he imagined his mum now departed riding forever on a sunny day with a tailwind. I would like to think that were so and that her legacy will also be one of safer riding for those who remain."