Cyclists now want YOU to pay them $5 a day to ride to work - because they're 'helping ease congestion on the roads'
- Cyclists are calling for Australians to pay them $1100 a year to ride to work
- The Bicycle Network has proposed the scheme ahead of the Federal Election
- Network says paying someone $5 to ride to work promotes swapping out cars
- They believe it will save Australia money and ease congestion on the roads
Cyclists are calling for Australians to pay them $1100 a year to ride to work because they're helping ease congestion on the nation's roads.
The Bicycle Network has aimed the scheme towards politicians ahead of the Federal Election on May 18, in a bid to encourage sustainable transport.
The network says Australians should pay $5 every time someone rides to work as they believe the cash bonus would encourage commuters to swap cars for bikes.
Cyclists are calling for Australians to pay them $1100 a year to ride to work because they're 'helping ease congestion on the roads'
'Keen bike commuters who ride every day could earn up to $1,100 a year, while also saving on car and petrol costs,' the Bicycle Network said on their website.
The Bicycle Network, which is Australia's biggest bike riding organisation, says research shows that society benefits up to $1.07 for every kilometre cycled.
According to the research, an average 10 kilometre commute by car costs society up to $9.30 while cycling the same distance contributes $10.
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Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said the pay-to-ride-to-work scheme would save money and encourage healthier lifestyles.
'The growing cost of living is hurting everyday Australians. At the same time, we're wasting our days stuck in traffic as congestion chokes our cities and economy,' Mr Richards said.
'By incentivising bike riding, we will save money, benefit entire communities and build a nation of happy and healthy Australians.'
The Bicycle Network has proposed the scheme ahead of the Federal Election to encourage candidates and parties to commit to improving conditions for cyclists
Mr Richards then called on federal leaders to take action and commit to sustainable transport.
'Australians want to ride bikes and get active more than ever, but we need federal leaders to stand up and say that active, space efficient, sustainable transport is our future,' he said.
Mr Richards described the scheme as the 'perfect opportunity' for candidates to get elected by benefiting Australians today and in the future.
Latest figures from the Australian Automobile Association show an average Australian family spend $18,221 on transport in a year.
The Bicycle Networks says a bike costs less than $400 a year.
The Bicycle Network said they expect the scheme would not cost the Federal Government more than $500 million per year.
The pay-to-ride-to-work scheme is one priority of the network as written in their Federal Election policy paper.
Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards (pictured) said the pay-to-ride-to-work scheme would save money and encourage healthier lifestyles
