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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-17 Daily Xml
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TOUR DOWN UNDER

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (16:48): I seek leave to make a brief statement before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question about the young rider's jersey.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Recently, South Australians were caught up in the excitement of this year's Tour Down Under. I am aware that the young rider's jersey included a message 'Cycle instead'. I am also aware that in previous years the young rider's jersey featured the 'Share the road' message. Will the Minister for Road Safety explain the significance of the 'Cycle instead' message?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (16:48): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. Since the inauguration of the Tour Down Under in 1999, the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) has annually sponsored the young rider's jersey. It is awarded to the rider under the age of 25 years with the fastest cumulative time at the end of each stage. The jersey gives encouragement to a young rider and provides DTEI with a unique opportunity to encourage safer cycling.

As we all know, this year's race received unprecedented exposure, with over 700,000 spectators lining the streets, along with intensive media coverage throughout Australia and the world. This year, for the second time in a row, the jersey was won by the young Spanish rider José Joaquin Rojas. José was also third overall in this year's tour, which meant that the jersey had a high profile at all stage sprint finishes.

The very first overall winner of the young rider's jersey was Cadell Evans, who progressed to be runner-up in last year's Tour de France. Another rider to win the jersey twice in this state is South Australia's very own Gene Bates. The 'Cycle instead' message aims to encourage South Australians to give cycling a go. We all know that cycling produces many benefits for our community. Cycling instead of driving can be a healthier, economical and sometimes even quicker way to get around. Climate change is widely recognised as one of the world's most serious challenges, and transport-related emissions have contributed significantly to greenhouse gas increases. Cycling instead of driving is a great way to care for the environment.

After 10 years it was time to promote a new and fresh proactive cycling message through the young rider's jersey. The 'Share the road' campaign has not been lost and is now conducted by the Motor Accident Commission through promotional materials and media. The key message for the 'Share the road' campaign remains that both motorists and cyclists are legitimate road users and deserve each other's respect and consideration. All road users need to look out for one another, particularly cyclists and motorists. All road users need to be responsible and give way in accordance with the road rules.

Motorists need to leave adequate space between themselves and cyclists, particularly when overtaking and, of course, cyclists must obey the road rules. Promoting both the 'Cycle instead' message and the 'Share the road' campaign message will help fulfil the state government's cycling strategy goal of more people cycling safely more often in South Australia. The 'Cycle instead' message will be successful only if people have safe and convenient places to ride. I am pleased to advise that since the Rann government came to office the length of shared use paths developed in Adelaide has increased by 40 per cent, and the length of on-road bicycle lanes has increased by 60 per cent. The 'Cycle instead' message will continue to be promoted through various cycling publications and maps, TravelSmart programs and school active travel initiatives delivered by DTEI.

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