On 3 June it is World Bicycle Day, a great reminder of how supporting cycling and alternative modes of transport can transform cities and communities.
For many of us, 2020 was the year we finally pulled the dusty old pushbike out of the shed and went for a cycle. In fact, bike ridership across New South Wales rose by 40 per cent since the beginning of 2020.
In my community, I am thankful to have wonderful bicycle user groups such as AshBUG and Bike Marrickville, and of course acknowledge the extraordinary work of Bicycle NSW and Bike Sydney in advocating for cyclists.
Cycling is not just great fun—it is good for our health, good for the planet, and good for the hip pocket too, being one of the cheapest ways to get around town.
But unfortunately, in New South Wales, we do not have the adequate infrastructure to support the 1.1 million people who ride a bike each week.
Despite the Government's noises about investment in active transport, it has only spent $130 million on active transport in the 2020-21 State budget.
We need to do much more to support the wonderful cyclists across New South Wales.
I wish them all a happy World Bike Day.