Australian Bicycle Council News

Here's the latest news from the Australian Bicycle Council you may fin
of interest.


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1. Renewal of National Cycling Strategy (NCS)
The draft NCS has been in the development phase since October 2004 and
was scheduled for completion in April 2005. However, the timing of th
project was extended to allow sufficient time for what has turned ou
to be an extensive five stage consultation process.

* The first stage included discussions with executive leve
stakeholders to establish their expectations.
* The second stage involved obtaining feedback from those people i
government agencies who had been involved in implementing the previou
Strategy to gain an understanding of its successes and failures.
* The third stage consisted of stakeholder workshops conducted in eac
state and territory. Each workshop consisted of 20 to 25 invite
stakeholders. The purpose was to get ideas on the content an
implementation of the new Strategy.
* The fourth stage was aimed at obtaining feedback on the draft outlin
of the new Strategy. The draft outline was exhibited and respons
gathered through a web-based survey over a period of approximately si
weeks.
* The fifth and final stage involved inviting public submissions on th
draft NCS. The draft Strategy was placed on the ABC website an
interested parties were invited to comment and appraise the draft. Ove
five weeks were allowed for comments to be made with more than 30
responses being received.

These helped shape the final draft Strategy with particular emphasi
placed on: identifying resources associated with each proposed action
establishing a clear target for each action; strengthening th
monitoring and reporting arrangements; and improving the clarity o
some actions.

The ABC met in Adelaide on 22 July 2005 and approved the final draf
Strategy to be presented for endorsement to the Australian Transpor
Council (ATC) which comprises Federal and State Ministers responsibl
for transport. The ATC meets in November 2005.

For information regarding the renewal process please see


2. NEW ON THE ABC WEBSITE! - Bikeability Toolkit:
The 'Australian Bicycle Council website
(http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/index.aspx ) now hosts a link to th
recently completed Bikeability Toolkit which includes checklists an
resource materials that will help create physical and socia
environments to encourage cycling. The resource materials includ
references, guidelines and other resources to assist in th
implementation of local bikeability audits and actions.

Local Government is a vital stakeholder in providing supportiv
environments for cycling. The Bikeability Toolkit will provid
guidance, information and help communities and local government t
assess the bikeability of their community. They will be able to develo
better integrated cycle planning, policies and implementatio
strategies.

This will result in safety improvements, enhanced access to cycling
changes in modal share of short trips from car to bicycle, improve
liveability and increased physical activity through active transport.
Aims of the Toolkit:

* To provide a simple, easy to use checklist that identifies barrier
and opportunities to create physical environments which encourag
cycling, and provides further resources
* To allow local government to assess its strengths and identify area
where improvement can be made to encourage and promote cycling
* To provide ideas and 'easy to access' resources for furthe
information

Who should use the Bikeability Toolkit?

Local Government - Traffic engineers, planners, councillors
sustainability officers
State Government - Infrastructure planners, road authorities, educatio
authorities, bodies funding TravelSmart programs, greenhouse offices
Developers - Town planners, urban designers, traffic engineers
property developers
Community - Local BUG groups, community groups, concerned residents, to
provide input to Councils


3. Good News Stories - Latest News:
The following link http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/news/gnsjul2005.aspx
features recently published cycling news stories from around the
Nation.


4. Last but not least:
The Bicycle Federation of Australia are holding their Cycling Connect
Conference in Brisbane from 5 - 8 October 2005.

The aims of the conference are to:

* Break down some of the barriers which stop more Australians cycling,

* Expose policy makers, practitioners and cycling groups to current
thinking and best practice in cycling & walking planning, health &
fitness and the environment,
* Work more effectively with partner organisations in government,
planning and health,
* Facilitate interaction between delegates about the conference.


For more information on the conference, please visit:
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/index.a...n_cycling.aspx


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cfsmtb