Bicycle Network State Budget Submission Tasmania State Budget Submission Tasmania 1

Transcription

1 Bicycle Network State Budget Submission Tasmania State Budget Submission Tasmania 1

2 Bicycle Network Bicycle Network knows physical activity is vital for a happy, healthy life, so we work to make bike riding part of everyday and riding easy for everyone. Because regular, physical activity is essential for human health, our society has to find the most practical, effective and economic method for Australians to get their recommended dose of activity. Statistics show two-thirds of us aren t active enough to maintain our health and the number of people being diagnosed with preventable diseases linked to a lack of activity - is growing exponentially. There is a solution to this problem: bring the bicycle into our everyday lives and get men, women and children moving. We are dedicated to helping communities and governments achieve this goal. Bicycle Network is Australia s largest membership-based bicycle organisation and one of the most successful across the globe. With more than 45,000 members, we operate nationally and have a measurable, large-scale impact in community participation and the promotion of healthy lifestyles through riding a bike. We have run Australia s biggest mass participation cycling events for more than 30 years and operate some of Australia s most successful cycling behaviour change programs. If you need our help to support efforts to make Tasmania bike friendly, please contact our Government and External Relations Tasmania team members. Garry Bailey GarryBailey@bicyclenetwork.com.au (based in Launceston) Emma Pharo emmap@bicyclenetwork.com.au (Hobart office) State Budget Submission Tasmania 2

3 Tourism the key for Tasmania Governments around the world with an eye on future growth are investing enthusiastically in bike riding. Tasmania has the unique opportunity in becoming a national leader at attracting travelers keen on sampling the islands attractions by bike. This will also capture the economic, health, social and environmental benefits of riding a bike. Tasmania has all the ingredients: good climate, magnificent scenery, good roads, the Bass Strait ferries for easy access, towns and villages close together. Yet it lacks investment in bike infrastructure. Investment in facilities will make Tasmanian trails, roads and businesses more attractive for locals and tourists to ride their bike. Bicycle Network is committed to assisting the State Government to build Tasmania s reputation as the most liveable place in the world. This budget submission outlines a series of actions to accelerate the growth of bike riding, increase tourism numbers and give people in Tasmania the choice to be active and healthy. Government commitments Federal, State and Territory governments all agreed to double the number of people cycling in Australia over the next five years as part of the National Cycling Strategy The Australian Bicycle Council s 2013 Implementation Report on progress of the National Cycling Strategy found that: Bicycles outsold cars for the 14th year running, cycling is being integrated into broader transport and land-use planning, bicycle facilities are increasingly being designed with separation from motor vehicles, street design, and speed limits are changing to adapt to these new influences. But what this report also showed was the decline in cycling participation across Tasmania, from 19.1% cycling each week in 2011 to only 13% in This is a long way from its goal of doubling bike riding participation. The State s strategic priorities, as outlined in the Tasmanian Walking and Cycling for Active Transport Strategy and the Positive Provisioning Policy for Cycling Infrastructure, aim to increase participation in cycling and walking, identify bicycle and pedestrian safety issues, and promote the health benefits of cycling and walking, in particular for its own employees. In the past year a series of initiatives have pointed the way forward for the state: the development of mountain-bike facilities, a series of education and road safety initiatives to lower the risk for bicycle users, and the rapid growth in bicycle tourism. But there is a lot more to be done. The Tasmanian Government must take a whole-of-government approach to improve riding conditions. Addressing riding conditions require cooperation between the Departments of State Growth, Infrastructure, Health and Tourism. It also requires coordination between state, federal and local government and business and community organisations, and buy-in from regional communities on specific projects State Budget Submission Tasmania 3

4 Boosting rural economies Active Tasmanians Access to wild places Making infrastructure work harder Coordinated strategy and budgets Upskilling tourist operators Reducing road conflict Keeping tourism dollars at home Bicycle Network strongly believes in this co-operative approach and has demonstrated this with government by already raising many of the proposals outlined at a ministerial and departmental level. Call for Action The incoming Tasmanian Government has a great opportunity to implement a bike investment program as it begins to shape its second budget. Having good strategies and policies for bikes is one thing, but to be effective the plans have to be recognised, prioritised and funded as part of the annual budget process. Bicycle Network calls on the Tasmanian Government to deliver actions across four strategic areas: Recreation and Tourism Investment in bicycle tourism across the state; Infrastructure and Networks Key projects to deliver across Tasmania; Policy and Planning Introduce new policy and planning to develop riding into the future; Behaviour Change and Programs Make physical activity part of everyday life State Budget Submission Tasmania 4

5 Recreation and Tourism Bicycle Network proposes three priority bike programs in order to encourage and shape a strong bike budget initiative by the government, with the emphasis on tourism. Actions 1. Invest in a $21.3 Million Trails and Bikeways Program over the forward estimates; 2. Support professional and community development in bike tourism with investment in $60,000 for the Bike Futures Workshop over the forward estimates. 3. Promote major events in Tasmania including a $145,000 investment in the Peaks Challenge Cradle Mountain event over the next term of government Table 1. Investment over the forward estimates Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year Trails and Bikeways Program $5.2M $5.3M $5.4M $5.4 M Bike Futures Workshop $15K $15K $15K $15K Promoting Major Events - Peaks Challenge $50K $40K $30K $25K Trails and Bikeways Program The Trails and Bikeways Program previously sat in the Department of Sport and Recreation and has been the life-blood of ongoing, incremental improvements to facilities such as the North West Coastal Pathway. In the past, this fund has been important for giving councils funding to plan and cost infrastructure, as well as build sections of key routes. The National Cycling Strategy Implementation Report 2013 states that the Tasmanian Government currently spends $0.85 per person each year on bike riding infrastructure. This is the lowest investment in Australia. The Tasmanian Government needs to be spending $10 per person on bicycle infrastructure to bring the state up to scratch. This equates to $21.3 Million over four years. Bike Futures Bike Futures is a professional and community development workshop that has been run annually in Tasmania since It has been held in both Launceston and Hobart. Bicycle Network s suggestion is that Bike Futures 2015 is run in the north of the state and focuses on upskilling bike tourism operators, councils and other key stakeholder groups in what is required to become an iconic bicycle tourism region. The $60,000 investment over the forward estimates would also provide feature articles and promotion of Tasmanian cycling in RideOn, Australia s most widely-read bike magazine State Budget Submission Tasmania 5

6 Victoria has several outstanding tourism products that have quickly become the focus of a significant amount of regional income. The report Cycling in Regional Communities: A Longitudinal Study of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, Victoria highlights how some of the areas around the central highlands of Victoria have transformed from a postforestry depression into vibrant, linked communities offering high quality and coordinated travel experiences. Bicycle Network has assisted in several of these developments and is able to help Tasmanian regions develop the kind of continuity in visitor experience that is required. Peaks Challenge Peaks Challenge is a series of events that run on the mainland, including Peaks Challenge Falls Creek in Victoria and Peaks Challenge Gold Coast. Bicycle Network has been working with the State Government and local councils to develop a Tasmanian product called Peaks Challenge Cradle Mountain. The organisers are proposing to bring over 1,000 riders to Devonport around a 235km premium road cycling experience. There is clearly a demand for this type of boutique experience, as outlines in the table below. In 2014, the Victoria event sold out at 1,921 riders, with 353 riders on the wait list. In 2015, the event is capped at 2000 riders and sold out in 3 days when tickets became available to the general public. Currently over 1000 riders are on the waiting list for a ticket. The post-event Bicycle Network video received 16,751 hits on YouTube and the social media combined received 7,792,079 media views in Table 2. Peaks Challenge Falls Creek Contribution Contribution Bed nights 6,000 12,500 Economic impact (Falls Creek) More than $1 million $2.5 million Three nights accommodation 46% of participants 51% of participants Two nights accommodation 47% of participants 40% of participants Donations to local community groups $12,975 $13,500 Bicycle Network spend on local contractors $42,942 $50,416 Recent research from previous participants of Peaks Challenge Falls Creek has highlighted the following: 71% of participants are willing to travel within/to Tasmania for a Peaks Challenge event, 36% of these respondents from NSW and 28% from Victoria 37% of participants who travel to Tasmania for a Peaks Challenge event would stay for three nights, and 23% would stay for five or more nights 68% would bring one non-riding partner with them to Tasmania, and 20% would bring two additional people with them 79.4% said they would do two or more Peaks Challenge events in a year State Budget Submission Tasmania 6

7 Peaks Challenge Falls Creek received an investment of approximately $50,000 from the Victorian Government in its first three years of operation, which was reduced in subsequent years, as the organisers and region adapted to the event. These figures are the basis of the current funding request State Budget Submission Tasmania 7

8 Infrastructure and Networks Listed below are key projects to be delivered by the Tasmanian Government. Actions North-East and North-West 1. Georges Bay Path, St Helens The old pathway around the southern shore of Georges Bay at St Helens, a major tourism centre, needs upgrading. The pathway requires new capital works including a cantilevered section between the bay and the Tasman highway to keep walkers and cyclists off the highway. This would provide a new visitor experience for the area and a major recreation facility for residents. 2. North-West Coastal Pathway The long-term plan is to extend the pathway from Burnie west to Wynyard and east to Devonport and Latrobe by filling in missing links. This has the potential to be one of Australia s great cycling experiences and would deliver increased visitor numbers and economic activity to the region. The co-operation between councils and the Cradle Coast Authority on this project has been commendable. It also links to TT Line initiatives on carrying increasing numbers of cycle tourists and with Devonport s excellent bicycle infrastructure. 3. North-East Rail Trail Already 16 km of trail east of Scottsdale has been upgraded as a project between the Scottsdale Rotary Club and the Dorset Council. It now has further community buy-in through the North-East Rail Trail Association, which is seeking Federal Government funding through the Commonwealth Stronger Regions Fund. This application has the support of the State Government. Rail trails have proved to deliver economic benefit to regional Victoria, which now leads the nation in development of these community and tourism assets. The economic case for the NE trail is outlined in a report commissioned by Northern Tasmania Development. Bicycle Network believes this project can deliver economic benefit to the North-East, where business activity has been depressed and where there is an increasing focus on tourism. Bicycle Network believes this should be funded as a tourism infrastructure project separate from the Trails and Cycleways Program. 4. Cradle Mt-Lake St Clair National Park This is an initiative of the tourism industry peak body the Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council and the Cradle Coast Authority, operating as the regional tourism body. This proposal reflects their view that bicycle tourism is an important component in the Tasmanian visitor experience. It builds on the authority s long-standing support for the NW coastal pathway. Bicycle Network has also identified a tourism and marketing initiative for the region and is proposing a cycling event linking Devonport and Cradle Mt in the style of the highly successful Peak Challenge event in Victoria, which Bicycle Network also runs. Changes to traffic movement at Cradle Valley will require expenditure to improve road and trail surfaces for bicycles, establishing of wash stations as a biosecurity measure as it now done with bushwalker equipment and appropriate signage and route guides. COMM Central North 5. Midland Highway between Breadalbane and Perth A separated bike lane should be mandatory on this 5km section as it provides a vital link for bicycle tourism between Launceston Airport, Launceston city and a large area attractive to bicycle tourists west from Perth to Deloraine. Once planned, this would be the benchmark for all other major projects where a separated cycleway is included. Bicycle Network understands a cycleway is currently included in plans but that the current Positive Provision Policy on cycle infrastructure does not guarantee this will remain. Launceston Airport is developing plans to handle increasing numbers of bicycle tourists and Launceston already has excellent pathways that could be linked to a separated highway cycleway. 6. West Tamar Highway upgrades The population of Legana on the West Tamar is expected to more than double in the next 20 years, according to State Budget Submission Tasmania 8

9 projections in the West Tamar Council s Legana plan. It will become a regional hub as well as a dormitory town for Launceston workers. Included in the Legana plan is high-quality infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and links to the West Tamar highway to encourage commuter cyclists to Launceston on what is now one of the state s most heavily used commuter highways. The highway also has heavy cycle use now, particularly at weekends, but cycle infrastructure is basic in some areas and non-existent in others. Bicycle Network believes that longer-term changes to the highway will be needed to deal with the population increase and increased bicycle use. This use will be encouraged because of quality bike infrastructure at Legana, and the growth of the West Tamar region as a strong tourism brand around food, wine and landscape. Given the high use of the West Tamar Highway, all road users from pedestrians and cyclists to heavy vehicles have a stake in having it improved. 7. Devonport Latrobe Spreyton links An off-road link between central Devonport and Spreyton is partially completed and already popular. A vital component of the pathway is the Horsehead Creek Footbridge, which needs to be developed to provide safe passage of travel for riders who currently negotiate the narrow road bridge. The Horsehead Creek area adjoins Serendipity Park, just to the north. New paths and upgrades would be part of a bid to increase cycling tourism income in this region. High on the priority list would be to get an river path that links the tourism gateway of Devonport with the historic town of Latrobe. This path was part of an unsuccessful Nation Building bid by the State Government in Stage two of the Spreyton pathway requires $1.1 million to complete. The Ambleside to Latrobe pathway is delayed because of the scrapping of the Trails and Cycleways funding. Continuation of this fund would allow small sections to be built up over time. ongoing funding is required to the 12-km Great Foreshore Ride at Devonport. All of these link to the North West Coastal Cycleway thereby adding to tourism infrastructure at Devonport, the port for the Bass Strait ferries. East 8. Tasman Highway upgrades Bicycle Network strongly supports the State Government s proposal to make this road a major tourism experience in the style of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. However, to enhance the bicycle tourists experience there will need to be improvements to the road, including to road verges, line markings and pull-over areas for both cars, buses and cyclists. This project would serve as a template for treating other major tourist routes around the state to enhance the bicycle tourism experience and lower the risk for all road users. Its planning should include an advisory taskforce of tourism, local government and road-user representatives, including Bicycle Network. South 9. Derwent Valley Rail Trail This proposal is waiting for funding for economic analyses (estimated $120,000 needed) of the various bicycle and train options on the rail corridor between Boyer and National Park. The Derwent Valley Railway (DVR), which operated occasional tourist services on this line 8-9 years ago, is still interested in getting accreditation to get rolling stock back on the line, starting at their yard in New Norfolk. Bicycle Network are working with Council and DVR on a local reference group in order to secure funding to cost the various options. Bicycle Network are pursuing a rail banking agreement whereby pedestrians, bicycles, horse riders and others could access parts of the corridor, such as National Park to Westerway, while Derwent Valley work to get back on the rail around New Norfolk. 10. Battery Point Walk and Cycleway The Battery Point Foreshore project would create a direct shared path link for walkers and bicycle users between Sandy Bay, the Hobart waterfront and Central Business District. The facility, first proposed in 2004, would bypass Napoleon Street to establish a safe, well connected and convenient piece of active transport infrastructure for a wide-range of demographics. Consultation conducted by the Hobart City Council showed momentous public support for the project, with only 2 per cent of participants who took part in the telephone survey opposed to any development (to view, click here). The consultation concluded "It is fair to say that the residents of Battery Point, including those fortunate enough to enjoy residency on the foreshore, together with the residents of the City of Hobart accept that access to the foreshore at Battery Point is essential and desirable." The project has been further identified by the State as one of critical significance and key to invigorating and enhancing State Budget Submission Tasmania 9

10 the liveability of Hobart. The promenade is central to supporting an active, healthy student population by connecting over 10,000 students at the Sandy Bay Campus with safe cycling and walking facilities to the Central Business District and satellite campuses. The former government provided $75,000 to prepare the application for Stage 1. The proposal passed Council but is undergoing appeals by residents. The estimated cost of the completed walkway is $8M, not $28M than is bandied around at times. The figure of $28M came from the whole Nation Building II bid by the former government and included other infrastructure around the state, not just Battery Point. 11. Melville Street student accommodation In November 2013, the University of Tasmania unveiled their plan to develop a student hub at the corner of Melville Street and Elizabeth Street. The $75million project proposes to house 430 local, interstate and international students, representing a fantastic opportunity to attract people into the city and revitalise the CBD precinct. It s important that both the State Government and Hobart City Council are on the front foot in terms of planning for active transport for this site, and more generally for both tourists and locals in Hobart. There are several projects nearby, none costing significant amounts and that could be funded through a restated Trails and Bikeways fund. One of the main ones would be the completion of the orphaned Argyle and Campbell Street lanes, which currently don t connect to other facilities. This is mostly a logistic and leadership exercise that requires Council to pull out some on-street parking, rather than being expensive. There are several other projects that fall under Hobart City Council s Inner City Action Plan that require design for bikes and funding. Some of these could be funded under a Trails and Bikeways program and some would need separate funding. 12. Bonnet Hill One of Hobart's most popular recreational riding routes, this narrow winding road desperately needs a broader set of shoulders to carry the weight of the rapidly increasing number of riders. With a hill in the middle providing a challenge, this is one of the most popular routes for road riders in Hobart, as the Strava data shows. This iconic cycling route had attracted more than 18,600 Strava entries as of August Manual traffic counts in November 2014 showed that there were 18,200 motor vehicle movements per week, including more than 220 buses. There were also 1,729 cyclist movements per week, which is a 59% increase from This stretch over Bonnet Hill has tight corners, 5 km of continuous double white lines, and poor sight lines. This means that sharing the road is challenging, particularly for vulnerable road users. Locals, through-traffic and cyclists all want the shoulders sealed, particularly on the uphill side when riders are much slower than motor vehicles. We welcome the upgrade to the sections on the southern approach, made in 2013 as part of maintenance and upgrades. Along with several local groups, including Kingborough Council, Taroona Community Assocation and Bonnet Hill Community Association, Bicycle Network is now seeking additional lined, smooth-sealed verges on the uphill sections of Channel Highway from Proctors Road to Taroona. Statewide 13. Mountain Bike Parks A key component in the bicycle tourism strategy is catering for mountain-bike enthusiasts, both local and visitors. The Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan 2009 mapped out the potential of this sector and many of its proposals and recommendations for growth are coming to fruition with international-grade trails at Hollybank near Launceston and Derby and Blue Tier in the North-East; at Penguin in the North-West, in the Meehan range on Hobart s Eastern Shore, and on the slopes of Mt Wellington. There are plans for a mountain bike park near Sheffield and the State Government has pledged funding for another near Zeehan on the West Coast as part of its economic revival plan for the West Coast confirmation that it recognizes the value to regional communities of such projects. More funding is required to maintain these trails, add visitor amenities, encourage regional businesses around them, and to market mountain biking as part of a wider Tasmanian experience to encourage visitors to stay longer in regional areas State Budget Submission Tasmania 10

11 Policy and Planning The development of bike infrastructure across Australia has suffered from ad hoc planning, prioritisation and budgeting. Consequently, even when investment is made, its full value is often not realised until years later because the developments are added piecemeal, in isolation from connected bicycle infrastructure networks. This failure underlies the common complaint that our bike infrastructure is disjointed and never seems to link up. The Tasmanian Government must provide leadership by co-ordinating this planning and investment process so that taxpayers get value for money and riders get facilities when and where they are most needed. A fundamental first step is a policy declaration that bike and walking facilities will be automatically considered as part of every transport initiative. It is inconceivable that in 2015 Tasmanian road facilities are planned under the assumption that bike riders are not road users, yet this is happening. The result is that bike facilities are retrospectively fitted, with great difficulty and at a greater cost to the taxpayer. If planning is done properly the bike facilities can be installed at only a marginal increase in the total cost of projects. The State Government in the past year has introduced a range of policy initiatives for bike riding, including: Improved driver licensing process to make drivers more cycle-aware; Improved road signage on major cycle routes; Launched It's a Two-Way Street brochure and radio campaign to encourage cultural change among all road users; Launched the new Share the Road education campaign to help change the culture and better protect vulnerable road users (particularly cyclists) on our roads; Continuing the Vulnerable Road User Program that funds improvements in areas with known crash problems or particularly high use; Closely analysing the Queensland one-metre law trial rather conducting its own trial; and Planning amendments to Tasmanian Road Rules which would allow motorists to safely cross solid white lines to provide a safer passing distance between cars and cyclists. Bicycle Network commends the Government for these initiatives, but further policy and planning developments need to occur to improve riding conditions across Tasmania. Actions Road rules 1. Implement a trial of 30km/h in school zones, residential areas and selected activity centres, in particular for areas with no footpaths; 2. Formally oppose the registration of bicycles; 3. Review police enforcement regimes to improve the safety of vulnerable road users; 4. Support a review of the national road rules specifically relating to bike riding. New developments 5. Introduce government policy to assess all major transport projects for cycling and walking opportunities; 6. Require all new bicycle routes to include at least one permanent counter to enable real-time monitoring of riders; 7. Develop a statewide policy for all new building developments to include bicycle parking and change facilities State Budget Submission Tasmania 11

12 Planning and Design 8. Review the Tasmanian Walking and Cycling for Active Transport Strategy 2010 and provide an implementation report; 9. Develop a Tasmanian Bicycle Tourism Strategy; 10. Develop new long-term urban transport strategies before Tasmania confronts the same problems larger Australians cities now experience; 11. Develop a Principal Bicycle Network plan for all metropolitan regions and all regional city centres across Tasmania which maps out an integrated network of priority bicycle routes; this would include tourism paths and trails as well as on- road bicycle infrastructure; 12. Establish a statewide cycle network database and infrastructure quality assessment monitoring system for Tasmania; 13. Ensure consultation with Bicycle Network for any Black Spot Funding so that remedial measures are appropriate and projects for other road users, such as pedestrians, are not creating problems for cyclist (such as squeeze points around pedestrian outstands); 14. Require all local councils with a population greater than 10,000 to develop and implement a bicycle strategy with bi-annual progress reports that include the health and physical activity measurements across communities State Budget Submission Tasmania 12

13 Behaviour Change and Programs Behaviour Change programs use an evidenced-based approach to encourage and support people to make desirable changes in their lifestyles, develop active habits that allow them to enjoy healthier and happier lives. The earlier in life healthy behaviours are instilled, the more likely it is these behaviours will become habits, followed into adolescence and adulthood. Initiatives like Bicycle Network s Ride2School (R2S) program helps keep students fit and healthy. Today only 20% of children walk or ride to school across Australia. Yet the 2,700 schools registered under R2S program, more than 50% of children ride or walk to school. The program has received strong support from the Victorian Government since its inception back in 2006 because evaluation has shown the program to be effective. These school children are healthier, energised and more alert. The National Cycling Strategy notes the high participation levels in bike riding drops off steeply in those aged 10 to 17 years. To increase overall participation in cycling it is important to reduce attrition rates. Bicycle Network s Ride2Work (R2W) program is another Behaviour Change program with potential to grow in Tasmania. The Ride2Work program has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people choosing to ride to work, with 60% of new riders registered in 2013 still riding to work when surveyed five months after Ride2Work Day. Increasingly employers are recognising the productivity benefits that physical activity brings to a workforce, and so workplace-based programs are spreading. An incoming government must support such initiatives that can play a critical role in overcoming barriers to active travel. Actions Schools 1. Work alongside Bicycle Network to develop and implement a state-wide Ride2School program to support children riding and walking to school. This would include a $120,000 pilot program in the first year with a view to expand to $240,000 per year for the next three years; 2. Establish active travel plans at all schools in Tasmania and introduce policy that all new schools in Tasmania must develop an active travel plan; 3. Fund the installation of bicycle parking in all schools in Tasmania and develop planning policy that all new schools must include bicycle parking Workplaces 4. Work alongside Bicycle Network to expand its Ride2Work program across Tasmania workplaces; 5. Actively encourage Government departments to participate in Ride2Work (annually in October), given that evidence shows that employer-based programs are more successful in getting employees active rather than large community breakfasts; 6. Develop state policy for all new building developments to include bicycle parking and change facilities; 7. Provide incentives for businesses and developers to retrofit existing buildings with bicycle parking and change facilities; 8. Commit to installing bicycle parking and change facilities in all government workplaces by The current office and public-space redevelopment behind Parliament House in Hobart, which will be leased by the State Government, should be a benchmark in how government can lead the way in this area. Current information, obtained by Bicycle Network through Department of State Growth, suggests that capacity has been severely underestimated, based on projections from the current high levels of demand for facilities in 10 Murray Street and Elizabeth Street offices State Budget Submission Tasmania 13

14 Level 4, 246 Bourke Street 234 Crown Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Darlinghurst NSW State Budget Submission Tasmania 14 Freecall: bicyclenetwork.com.au 210 Collins Street Hobart TAS 7000