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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-25 Daily Xml
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Cycling Infrastructure

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Minister, can you update the house on the government's investment in cycling infrastructure?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:43): I thank the member for Elder for her question. This is a government that takes the responsibility of improving our transport network very seriously. Whether it be investments in our public transport system, upgrading our road network, such as the Torrens to Torrens upgrade, or significant upgrades to our cycling infrastructure, the benefits to the wider community in reducing congestion are significant.

That is why today I am very pleased to announce that works will begin this Monday to improve the Mike Turtur Bikeway at the Brighton Road/Jetty Road/Maxwell Terrace intersection at Glenelg. This $260,000 investment will improve what is our busiest cycling commuter route here in Adelaide. On average, over 1,000 cyclists enter the city from the bikeway each working day.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley can leave the chamber for half an hour.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Happy birthday, Vincent.

The honourable member for Hartley having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: This $260,000 investment will improve our busiest cycling route and this bikeway, named after one of the great South Australian Olympians, extends from Glenelg right into the central business district following the city to Glenelg tramline.

This bikeway services many suburbs along this route, including those in the member for Ashford's electorate, such as Forestville and Black Forest. I know that the member for Ashford has been a strong supporter of the development of the bikeway, given that many of her constituents use this route to commute to work every day. I also know that the member for Morphett and the member for Bright will appreciate the benefit for cycling commuters living in their electorates from these works.

The improvements will improve a continuous shared-use path along Brighton Road and into Jetty Road. Works will include kerb widening, a new indented bike lane on the northern side of Jetty Road and kerb ramps at the intersection of Jetty Road and Brighton Road. The clock seems to be moving incredibly slowly, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I'm sorry, Mr Speaker, I think somebody mentioned they missed part of it; I will start again! The investment continues the government's commitment to improving out greenways. These dedicated cycling and walking routes along our public transport corridors provide a safe and easy route for commuters to the city, as well as for recreational riders.

The government recently began works on the $2 million construction of a shared-use path underneath the Anzac Highway and Greenhill Road intersection, linking the Marino Rocks Greenway with the West Terrace path into the city. Final works are also being undertaken on the near 20-kilometre Outer Harbor line greenway, which I know has been strongly supported and advocated for by the member for Port Adelaide. The majority of work has already been completed, and the remaining work is anticipated to be completed in stages by the middle of next year.

This government went to the last election with a number of policies to promote cycling because we know the benefits that cycling has on reducing congestion into and around the city and, of course, the related health benefits. The state government is investing $1.6 million into bicycle boulevards at Beulah Road in Norwood and Braund Road in Prospect. These boulevards follow quieter, lower-traffic streets where cyclists of all abilities—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I seem to have heard a faint whisper that the member for Dunstan might have had a transport policy.

An honourable member: No!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: No, that can't be right! The government is also providing additional funding over the next four years to double the number of primary school-age children who participate in the highly regarded bicycle education program Way2Go. This will increase the number of students from 4,000 to 8,000 children who undertake this program annually by 2018.

We will also provide $100,000 to the new children's Road Safety Centre that was opened last year here in Adelaide, for the purchase of new bicycles and helmets, as well as initiatives that promote bicycle safety. Cycling policy is incredibly important to this government, and we look forward to continuing our investments over the next term.

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