2016-10-10
Greens candidates standing for Council election are the only ones prioritising bicycle infrastructure in Maribyrnong.
Simon Crawford, candidate for Yarraville Ward, came within 148 votes of winning a Council seat in 2012.
Crawford says, " Council's bike strategy is currently sitting there but it hasn't had anywhere near enough resources provided to bring it to life.
"When locals are surveyed, we hear time and time again that poor bike infrastructure is a barrier to people getting on their bikes and leaving the car at home.
" We are pushing for Council's bike strategy to be fully funded, for greater provision of separated bike lanes and to address the many bicycle black spots in the municipality.
" This would see Council’s spend on bicycle infrastructure more aligned with other inner city Councils , where it is currently far behind. "
If elected, Greens on Council will insist that all Council road works include best practice provision of bike paths as standard.
The Maribyrnong Greens believe that cycling should be easy and safe for everyone, and that Council must take a leading role given the boost to residents' health, the potential to unclog our streets, and the reduction in pollution from cars that comes from more locals getting on their bikes.
" Council should also be proactive in encouraging cycling with support for cycling clubs , Bicycle User Groups and promotional programs ," said Crawford.
"We all want to see more people of all ages, genders and cultures to feel safe and confident getting on their bikes.
" Education should also be provided for all road users, focused on safe cycling and how t o drive around cyclists - this will bring down rates of dooring and collisions."
All four Greens candidates standing at this Council election are cyclists themselves - Simon Crawford and Bernadette Thomas for Yarraville Ward, Danny Cash for Stony Creek Ward and Georgia Webster for River Ward.
Media contact: Georgia Webster, 0412 554822 / georgia.webster@vic.greens.org.au