#activetransport

NSW Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes announces blueprint for 600km of cycling pathways in Western Sydney from the $950 million active transport budget.

“This is a blueprint for bike lanes that maps out 58 corridors stretching from Box Hill to Burwood, down to Macarthur and back up to Western Sydney Airport and Penrith, transforming the way Western Sydney families travel,” Stokes said.

Given the approaching NSW election on 25 March I hope NSW Labor matches this commitment given the necessity to ramp up active transport infrastructure to reduce Transport Emissions. Conversion to EVs is not enough to decarbonise transport. Public Transport and cycling are important modes to encourage change in mobility behaviours.

There is no timeframe or timeline for rolling out construction of these strategic cycling corridors. While this planning is essential, construction needs to be prioritised by Transport for NSW and Local Councils.

References:

Transport for NSW, 2 Feb 2023, Western Sydney wins big with bike blueprint https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/western-sydney-wins-big-bike-blueprint

Put a spring in the step of our local kids by encouraging them to get involved in Walk to School!

This is a great time for us all to get involved in helping families stay healthy and active while following local coronavirus restrictions. When we support our kids to walk, ride, scoot or skate to school, we’re setting them up for healthy, active adult lives. We’re also making the streets around our schools safer and less congested.

VicHealth’s Walk to School program is easier than ever for schools and teachers. The focus is on encouraging kids to be active before and after school—whether or not they’re back in classrooms—while making sure they stay safe and follow the latest health advice.

Visit walktoschool.vic.gov.au to find out more about how the kids at your school can get involved in Walk to School and to access free resources, including a range of worksheets designed for simple, flexible activities that can be used by parents, carers and teachers.

Did you know that we have a Peddle Park at George Lay Park in Swan Hill? It is a perfect place to teach children of all ages some road rules when walking, riding, scooting or skating with street signs and road markings. Check it out in Murlong Street, Swan Hill, see map below.