Tasmanian State election 2021

#VoteBikeTAS

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The Tasmanian state election has been set for Saturday 1 May 2021

Bicycle Network is here to keep you up to date with what parties and candidates are promising for people who ride bikes for the Legislative Assembly and Council electoral races.

BICYCLE NETWORK'S TOP 10

What we want to get more people riding

As part of our budget submission of March 2021, we asked for the following items to help break Tasmania’s car dependency and increase bicycle travel. We’d love to see political parties adopt all of these but the most critical asks are more money and certainty of funding for cycleways:

1. SPEND at least $20 per person per year through a $44.4 million bike infrastructure program over the next four years.

2. ESTABLISH an ongoing cycling infrastructure fund for local councils to apply for funding.

3. FUND Bicycle Network’s Ride2School program over the next four years, for only $840,000.

4. INVESTIGATE cycling tourism opportunities such as rail trail development and shared e-bike schemes. 

5. ESTABLISH a Ride2Work program for all public sector employees to provide rider education, bike maintenance courses, advice on buying bike and gear and buddy rider systems.

6. IMPLEMENT a state policy for all new building developments to include bike parking and end-of-ride facilities such as parking loops, secure storage and showers and provide incentives for businesses and developers to retrofit existing buildings.

7. LAUNCH a no-interest loan scheme or direct subsidies to help more people buy electric bicycles. 

8. DESIGN a technical manual for state and local government planners and engineers to help them build All Ages and Abilities protected cycleways.

9. OVERSEE trial of bicycles on racks inside or outside buses. 

10. INTRODUCE salary sacrificing option for all public sector staff to help them buy e-bikes.

What's being promised for bikes this time around

Party promises 2021

LIBERAL
  • $6 million on cycling projects from 2022-23, with $2 million for each region in partnership with local government: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-extending-our-record-investment-tasmanias-transport-infrastructure
  • 3.5 metre wide shared paths on the Tasman Bridge – this was announced last year but the money will be spent in the next term of government: https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/news/archived_news/tasman_bridge_upgrades_announced
  • $85,000 to the Tasmanian Bike Collective, to deliver their skills and resilience building program for young people in Risdon Vale and Huonville: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-building-stronger-communities
  • 1-2 year ferry trial will carry bikes for free: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/derwent_river_ferry_trial_service_public_tender. 
  • $20,000 for the Cradle Coast MTB Club volunteers to look after the Penguin MTB Park.
  • Funding to Maydena MTB Park to host an Enduro World Series.
  • Commitment to apply for federal funding to create a design for a Margate to Huntingfield shared path and commitment to apply for federal funding to build an Algona Rd interchange and Kingston bypass duplication that would include paths for cycling and walking. Full policy: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-improving-traffic-congestion-hot-spots. 
  • Cycle path on the promised second Tamar River bridge as part of the government’s positive provisioning policy for cycling: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-new-tamar-river-bridge
  • Commitment to apply for federal funding for duplication of the South Arm Hwy which includes a new shared path between Rokeby and Oakdowns as per the recent planning study: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-improving-traffic-congestion-hot-spots
  • $20 million for more park and rides for bus services at Rokeby, Sorell and southern beaches, which we would expect to have secure bike parking like the Kingborough facilities: https://tas.liberal.org.au/securing-tasmanias-future-modernising-tasmanias-transport-services
LABOR
  • Labor will establish a Cycling Infrastructure Fund and invest $15 million over two years on cycling infrastructure projects across the State. Councils and the State Government will work in partnership on funding cycling infrastructure through the provision of this fund: https://taslabor.com/transport/?fbclid=IwAR21KgPByd3qrKAzNPrvjVLMcSVvMzbOfKeo7z7mlUr7x_fqg746dKrSQE8
  • Labor will commit to expanding the Ride 2 School Program to ensure secondary students also experience the benefits of this program.
  • continue trials of bikes on buses and ride and go facilities around the State.
  • $400,000 for a new toilet and bike washdown at the Mt Montgomery car park which services the Dial Range mountain bike trails: www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7212352/funds-pledged-for-eco-friendly-toilets/?cs=87
  • $227,875 for the Briant Hill Mountain Bike Park proposal in Smithton.
  • $360,000 to Wild Mersey MTB tracks to build shuttle road and lookout: https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7228158/mountain-bike-shuttle-access-to-wild-mersey-pledged/?cs=87.
GREENS
  • $44.4 million over four years into a bicycle infrastructure fund: https://tasmps.greens.org.au/green-new-deal/genuine-traffic-solutions-lutruwita 
  • expand bike track and trail investments to projects beyond just mountain biking.
  • funding to the Bicycle Network of Tasmania for their ride2school program
  • establish a ride2work program.
Independents
  • Kristie Johnston: “Active transport – Active transport networks play an important role in a city’s integrated transport system and there ought to be greater funding of cycling and walking infrastructure to encourage healthy alternatives to using a car.”: https://kristiejohnston.com.au/community-priorities/ 
  • Sue Hickey: supports the greater Hobart mayors call for state government to fund a network of commuter cycleways across greater Hobart: https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Council/News-publications-and-announcements/Latest-news/GHmayors-election-transport2 

What was promised for bikes in 2018

Party promises 2018

LIBERAL 

Delivered

  • Four-year funding for the Bicycle Network Ride2School program in Tasmanian primary schools.
  • Seal and widen shoulders on sections of the West Tamar highway
  • $286,000 for Dial Range mountain bike paths
  • $100,000 for a bike skills park in Ulverstone
  • $190,000 for the Risdon Vale Bike Collective
  • $20,000 going to the All-Schools Mountain Bike Championships and $20,000 to the Launceston Mountain Bike Club
  • Up to $100,000 to the Glenorchy Council to upgrade the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park
  • Central Coast Walking and Cycling Trail – Rail Bridge Deck: $450,000 to provide a cycling and walking link across the Forth River utilising the existing rail bridge when an overpass of the Bass Highway is built

Still in progress

  • $6 million to create or extend bicycle routes on state and local roads statewide – work on these projects has just started, with half the money due to be spent this financial year and the rest next financial year.
  • $2 million in 50/50 matched funding grants for southern councils for bicycle infrastructure such as dedicated bike lanes and linking paths within towns – councils have been contacted about this funding but no announcements yet as to where the funding will go.
  • Better riding facilities as part of the Hobart Airport interchange upgrade – work has started on this.
  • Update the Walking and Cycling for Active Transport Strategy, including regular implementation updates – this review started before the COVID pandemic but has since stalled.
  • Review planning and development laws to require developers to include bike parking and associated facilities in major Tasmanian cities – this was incorporated into the Walking and Cycling Strategy review so nothing has happened on it.
  • It wasn’t an election promise, but the state and federal governments’ 2020 announcement of shared paths for the Tasman Bridge is a major project in progress. 
LABOR
  • $4 million for a Tracks and Trails Community Grants program over three years for local governments and community groups. Up to $100,000 per grant would be available
  • $190,000 for the Risdon Vale Bike Collective
  • Labor’s general policy platform has commitments to cycleways and shared pathways: “Labor supports an expansion of shared pathways and cycle ways to increase active transport linkages between communities and to enhance safety for cyclists.”
  • Labor’s general policy platform has commitments to promoting activity: “Labor will support health education and preventative health measures in schools and the community, which are aimed at preventing ill health, injury and promoting good health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for children ”
  • During the Burnie Leaders’ Debate, Labor Leader Rebecca White would not commit to cycleways on all future roads, but supported wider shoulders.
GREENS

TAKE ACTION

If better bike lanes, trails and facilities are important to you, then let the candidates for the Tasmanian election know about it by writing to them, talking to them or engaging on social media.

#TogetherWeCan make a difference. 

Authorised by Alison Hetherington, Bicycle Network, 210 Collins Street, Hobart

Contact your candidates

We will be putting up contact details for candidates as they are announced – stay tuned
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Legislative council

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