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What Bicycle Victoria is proposing addresses a number of issues facing our cities: congestion, public health costs and CO2 emmited into the atmosphere by offer ing a tax incentive:

Imagine if the state government used the $3.8 Billion used to build Eastlink instead on public transport & bicycle infrastructure, maybe the 45000+ cyclists may place less reliance on using the car.

Chief executive Harry Barber (Bicycle Victoria) said the ride, which was a victim of its own success, showed cycling’s popularity. “This was a good demonstration of where we are,” he said. “It was a bit like Woodstock – they weren’t quite expecting it to be so big either

Everyone talks about climate change and the carbon footprint we all leave behind.

One easy way to reduce carbon emissions is using a bicycle.
Even the most fuel efficient cars produce 1000′s of tons of CO2 every year, not forgetting all the energy that is require to transform all the raw materials that form the car from metals, plastics to even the ship that brings them from overseas.

Without even turning the ignition, our cars have produced 100000′s of tons of carbon dioxide.

With statistics showing the majority of trips are under 5kms, why not strap a pannier to the rear wheel of the bike and pedal to the local 7/11 or milk bar, your body will appreciate it as well as your heart

With the green house gas emissions increasing unabated, should our politicians be leading by example.

Car exhaust fumes account for a significant proportion of CO2 gas emmisions, yet our politicians drive large 6 cyclinder cars.

Maybe having politicians using a bicycle as a pollution free alternative may be a good alternative, this can extend through to local government.

It would have the added advantage of actually seeing how diverting some resources to improoving the bicycle network can reduce car usage and improve the health of the community.

It wasn’t that long ago in Melbourne commuters relied on the bicycle as a primary means of transport.

Now I really sound old but when I was a younger, most kids either walked or road their bike to school. (80% in the 70′s & 80′s)
It was safe and I cannot recall any nasty incidents. Plus the percentage of over weight or obese kids was a lot lower.
The larger kids was usually in the minority group.

Fast forward to 2006 and that rate has dropped dramatically to 20% according to Bicycle Victoria.

So some time ago there was an initial to help reverse the trend. The program has been a sucess with 154 schools signed up.

It involves the School on the first Tuesday of every month to encourage the kids to ride or walk to school.

VICTORIAN children are getting healthier and more active – thanks to a bicycle program.
For more info go to:

http://www.bv.com.au/join-us/12184/