ACT government wants to cement Canberra on the cycling map
It already produces some of the world's best cyclists, now the ACT government want to make Canberra Australia's best cycling destination with a cycling tourism strategy they expect will provide a $400 million boost to the economy over the next decade.
The government will release their strategy on Thursday with new mountain-bike networks and a cycling guide designed to attract national and international visitors part of the plan.
They will invest $30 million in "active travel infrastructure", which was part of an election promise and has been fully funded in the ACT budget released on Tuesday.
The strategy is a 10-year plan designed to further establish Canberra on the cycling map, having already produced reigning Tour de France green jersey winner Michael Matthews, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chloe Hosking and three-time world champion Michael Rogers.
Hosking has always been an advocate of Canberra and has brought several of her European teammates to the ACT to train during their World Tour off-season and Australia's summer.
The government will plan and design a new mountain-bike network to expand on the current one, which includes tracks at Stromlo Forest Park and Kowen Forest.
Canberra's cycle paths will be vastly improved, including at the town centres of Belconnen, Woden, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong.
With the help of CycleLifeHQ, who specialise in promoting cycling holidays, they'll also develop a guide to help promote cycle tourism to Canberra throughout the world.
The government's modelling estimated if their strategy can increase tourism by 1.1 per cent then it would lead to a "cumulative economic benefit" in excess of $400 million by 2030.
Pedal Power ACT executive officer Ian Ross said the plan would also be a boost for the health of all Canberrans through encouraging more people to cycle.
“We are pleased that the ACT government is investing increased revenue in active travel – this is an investment in the future health and liveability of our city,” Mr Ross said.
“Good quality active travel and cycle infrastructure is a key driver to getting more people active and improving the health of our city and our community.
"If you build safe, separated paths that keep people on bikes away from cars, more people will cycle – it’s that simple. This is something that Pedal Power has been advocating for many years.
“We’ll be looking at the budget papers in further detail, to better understand how it will impact on cycling in Canberra."