The Treasurer has left NSW spinning its wheels on active transport, again failing to make a clear commitment towards the Principal Bike Network in the State Budget.

The fully planned 5,000km Principal Bike Network for Greater Sydney would enable:

• Cycling and walking within 10kms of the city’s three CBDs and 5km of Sydney’s 27 strategic centres
• The use of separate cycleways, painted bike lanes and shared streets, significantly reducing traffic congestion by connecting communities to key transport and strategic hubs.

The project’s stuck in limbo, with no firm funding from the Treasurer despite the estimated $15.9 billion cost of congestion to Sydney by 2031.

While Government's around the world are spending big to turbocharge investment in infrastructure for riding or walking in response to the pandemic, the NSW Government has failed to substantially increase the proportion of the total infrastructure budget for Transport for NSW allocated to active transport.
 
The Shadow Minister for Active Transport, Jo Haylen said: “NSW is missing out on the opportunities and local jobs active transport projects bring, right when we need them most."
 
“There’s never been a better time to invest in cycling and walking projects, particularly projects like the Principal Bike Network that are ready to go as soon as the Treasurer commits the cash,” said Ms Haylen.
 
“When you build active transport paths, people use them. As well as making economic sense, these projects reduce congestion, improve public health and reduce emissions.”
 
While committing $500,000 in planning money for the proposed Opera House to Parramatta Pathway, the Liberal Government has fallen well short of the estimated $200-300 million needed to realise the project and yet again failed to fund the long-promised Principal Bike Network for the Greater Sydney Region.

“The Treasurer has NSW spinning its wheels when we could be the leader of the pack," Ms Haylen added.