BICYCLE SAFETY INITIATIVES

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question about improving cycling safety in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Cycling is an ideal form of exercise which should be encouraged at every opportunity, particularly taking into account rising fuel costs and the high rate of obesity in Australia. Will the Minister for Road Safety outline how the state government is improving cycling safety through the State Black Spot and State Bicycle Fund programs this financial year?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Along with other programs that I mentioned earlier in response to the Hon. Robert Brokenshire, this is another important initiative. Cycling is an excellent mode of transport. This government is continuing in 2008-09 to fund metropolitan and regional initiatives in order to improve the state's cycling network.

I am pleased to inform the chamber that final approval has been reached between the state government and councils regarding location and funding of metropolitan and regional cycling improvement projects. The sum of $1.1 million will be spent, adding an extra 53 kilometres to Adelaide's cycling network and an extra 13 kilometres in the regions over the next 12 months. The funding, which fosters the working relationship the state government has with local councils, will be disbursed over a total of 50 projects. Using funds from the State Bicycle Fund and the State Black Spot program, there will be a host of infrastructure improvements to the cycling network, including the installation of new bicycle lanes, further development of shared use paths, access improvements and minor intersection upgrades. Funds will be allocated to more than 40 initiatives in metropolitan Adelaide, including the creation of:

a shared use path between Morphett Road and Cross Road following the Glenelg tramway ($100,000);

a bicycle lane on Regency Road from Torrens Road to Hampstead Road ($60,000); and

a bicycle lane on Port Road from South Road to Cheltenham Road ($52,000).

The 10 initiatives funded in regional South Australia include:

the widening of roads in Murray Bridge to incorporate bike lanes; and

the creation of shared use paths on Hindmarsh Island and in Wallaroo.

Since 2002-03 these two funds have invested more than $5.4 million to improve cycling infrastructure and safety in South Australia. This government takes cycling safety seriously and has a number of approaches for improving cycling safety on top of improving cycling infrastructure. These approaches include conducting awareness campaigns on how cyclists and drivers can share the road, providing bicycle information for schoolchildren (BikeEd), and improving cycling safety on arterial roads through the Arterial Road and Bicycle Facilities Program.

As you may remember, Mr President, on 23 July I announced, with my colleague the Minister for Transport, that this government would design a bicycle overpass for the northern side of the Glenelg tramway overpass project. The pathway forms another part of the state government's commitment to improving safety and convenience for cyclists, expanding opportunities to comfortably make use of sustainable transport alternatives.

We all know that the benefits from cycling are far-ranging, from health and economic to general enjoyment. These benefits are by no means just restricted to personal wellbeing. More cyclists also means a reduction in traffic congestion (that follows) and greenhouse gas emissions. That is an ideal outcome for South Australians.