Cycling Safety

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:16): Would the minister also be willing to look at issues that may arise surrounding bollards for people with vision impairment, such as the fact that they often blend into the surrounding area and are difficult to view?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:16): Yes, sure, no problem. I am happy to add that to the list when the appropriate inquiries are made. What I would say is that I think this government is pretty proud of its record when it comes to trying to facilitate the use of cycling within our community more generally. We have been a proactive government when it comes to facilitating bicycling in and around our regions and also our city as well. Cycling is a good, healthy alternative form of transport. It is one that, of course, results in zero carbon emissions, it contributes to an individual's health and is something that we see a lot of value in.

Certainly, one program I have spent a bit of time familiarising myself with recently, and also advocating its further use, is the Way2Go program, which is all about encouraging young kids to ride to and from school and ensure that parents, schools and councils are working collaboratively to ensure that kids can ride to and from school in a way that is safe from a whole range of different risks. Again, we want to be encouraging people to use bikes and cycle, and I think we have a pretty good record when it comes to that exercise, but I am more than happy to seek further information regarding the Hon. Mr Parnell's and Kelly Vincent's inquiries.