BFA Advocacy

March 2009: BFA Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs andTransport Inquiry into Passenger Transport

This submission addresses the Committee’s term of reference: (c) an assessment of the benefits of public passenger transport, including integration with bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. It concentrates on the benefits of improved integration of public transport with cycling initiatives. The BFA believes that there will be significant benefits from better integrating cycling with public transport. This submission recommends:

1. The provision of a range of key infrastructure enhancements that would significantly increase the transport options for trips by active modes. These include:

• Cycle-ways to connect public transport hubs with the surrounding community through a comprehensive network of cycle ways and shared paths, including linking existing cycle routes to bus/train stations

• Bicycle racks on buses

• Trains, ferries etc that are designed to carry bicycles

• High quality bicycle parking at train stations, bus stations and other transport nodes

• Suitable signage at public transport nodes and on vehicles to make people aware of the location of cycling facilities

• Shared bus/bike facilities. This includes expanding the number of shared onroad facilities in locations where minimum bus/bike lane widths can be achieved

2. Improved rules for the carriage of bicycles on public transport including:

• Allocating maximum space for the carriage of bicycles on trains, ferries and trams, especially during off-peak periods, including the carriage of folding bicycles at all times

• Allowing bicycles to be carried by taxis where possible

• More appropriate rules to allow people to carry bicycles on airlines on top of their luggage allowance

3. Comprehensive marketing support to inform the public of the range of options for the carriage of bicycles on public transport, and promotion of rules relating to the carriage of bicycles on the public transport network

4. Mode share targets for trips from home/work etc to public transport modes

5. Consultation with cycling groups when new cycling/public transport facilities are being planned

The full submission (No 125) can be downloaded from here.

December 2008: BFA Advocacy activities throughout 2008

continued cooperation with the Cycling Promotion Fund on updating HEAT
presenting awards at the Cycling Promotion Fund’s Bicycling Achievement Awards for Cairns BUG’s Lenore Evans and former BFA President Charlie Farren
representing the interests of cyclists on three Standards Australia committees, including the committee reviewing the Australian Helmet Standard
liaison with the National Road Safety Strategy Panel on the National Road Safety Action Plan
liaison with officials from federal agencies: Health & Ageing; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; and Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to influence their policies and programs
At the international level the President of the BFA attended the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) AGM and gave a presentation to a pre-AGM seminar.
The BFA became a foundation member of the Global Alliance for EcoMobility, an international cross-sectoral partnership for the integrated promotion of walking, cycling and wheeling to reduce car-dependency. It has a broad membership base, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP), International Association of Public Transport (UITP), European Cyclists Federation, League of American Bicyclists and leading international sustainable transport companies such as Shimano, Giant and Trek.

April 2008: Garnaut Climate Change Review

The BFA lodged a submission on 11 April 2008 to the Australian Government Garnaut Climate Change Review. The submission covers facilities needed for cycling, including end-of-trip facilities, inter-modality, planning, and taxation (FBT) issues. The BFA submission can be accessed here

April 2008: Australian Bicycle Council

A discussion paper 'A role for the bicycle in the coming oil shocks' was presented by the BFA at a meeting of the Australian Bicycle Council
contributed to several other ABC projects, including the examination of the financial impediments to cycling such as fringe benefits tax

April 2008: Australia 2020 Summit

The Federal Government invited submissions from individuals and organisations to help shape a long term strategy for the nation's future. The BFA provided a submission which addressed the 'Sustainability' and 'Health' streams. The submission raised the issue of encouraging cycling to reduce CO2 emissions, and to contribute to improved health outcomes in the community. More...

February 2008: Regulation of Motor Assisted Bicycles

The Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW issued a discussion paper in February 2008 titled “Better regulation of motorassisted pedal cycles: issues and solutions” for public comment. The RTA paper is part of a review of the regulation of power assisted bicycles following the growing importation of a wide range of powered two wheeled vehicles, some with working pedals and some without. The RTA recommended that:

conditions for exemptions should be clarified
a conditional 3 year registration be allowed for non complying bikes purchased before 1 January 2008 and
national vehicle standards and associated issues are developed.

The BFA made a number of recommendations to the RTA and supported the technical arguments in a comprehensive submission made to the RTA by longtime cycling advocate Alan Parker.

Copies of the BFA's submission, RTA paper and Alan Parker's submission can be downloaded here.

2007 Federal Election Campaign

The BFA and its member groups is working with Cycling Australia, the Cycling Promotion Fund, Bicycle Victoria and other cycling advocates to ensure that the next federal government promotes cycling, and provides a better environment for people who ride bicycles.

We have three important 'asks' that we will be lobbying for during the election campaign. These are:

Healthy and Active Transport Program ('HEAT') Federal funding to local government for cycling and walking infrastructure

A national ride to school program
A national ride to work program

February 2007: Proposed change to Workers Compensation Insurance

Proposed changes to workers compensation insurance could result in cyclists losing existing rights to claim for injuries on trips between home & work. The BFA provided a submission to the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee inquiry into the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 to outline the impact of the proposed changes on commuter cyclists. See BFA submission and media release.