Ministerial Statement: Thousands join in Queensland's largest one-day mass cycli

[ozbob]

Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
09/10/2011

Thousands join in Queensland's largest one-day mass cycling event.

More than 7000 cyclists, including Minister for Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts Rachel Nolan, have taken part in the Wilson HTM Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge.

The Queensland Government sponsors the 100 km event through the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Ms Nolan, who was also joined by and a team of 50 riders from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, said today's event demonstrated the government's commitment to boosting cycling.

"The Queensland Government is proud to be a major sponsor of this event and is committed to increasing cycling in Queensland, for transport, recreation, tourism and sport ," Ms Nolan said.

"Our government spent more than $100 million over 2009-2010 expanding cycling networks across Queensland and now continues to invest an average $90 million per annum to further boost networks.

"It's an investment to deliver safe, direct and connected cycle ways to help Queenslanders to choose cycling as their preferred transport option."

Cyclists participating in today's event completed a 100-kilometre course from South Bank in Brisbane and used the South East Busway to travel to Eight Mile Plains before travelling through Eagleby to Logan, Beenleigh, Coomera and Helensvale to the Gold Coast, finishing at Southport.

"Cycling is great for the individual, for communities and our planet," Ms Nolan said.

"It promotes better health, a cleaner environment and is a smart, sustainable travel choice and that is why the government is committed to investing time and money into the future of cycling in Queensland.

"The new Queensland Cycle Strategy 2011-2021 promotes the government's vision of 'more cycling, more often' and sets the direction to grow cycling across the state for the next decade.

"A signature project of the new strategy is setting up an Active Towns program, which aims to rapidly increase cycling and walking in targeted regional communities.

"The government will be piloting the Active Towns program in Cairns, Mackay and the Gold Coast, working with local governments, communities and the bicycle industry.

"Active towns will start next year and will see the towns share $12 million during a three year period to develop cycling friendly communities in regional areas through infrastructure, education and marketing.

"The Queensland Cycle Strategy and sponsorship of mass cycle events like today's Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge are just two examples that demonstrate this commitment."

ENDS