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MEDIA RELEASE

13/08/07

No More Excuses for not Walking and Cycling in the Illawarra

The results of a survey on ‘active transport’ in the Illawarra will be released on Monday by the Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce.

The survey was conducted earlier this year as part of research on factors that help or hinder Illawarra residents from walking or cycling more often for their daily trips.

The survey results are contained in a report - The Barriers and Enhancers to Using Active Transport in the Illawarra - which will be launched with a roundtable discussion on Monday in Shellharbour.

The launch will draw together local government planners, engineers, health and transport professionals to discuss the opportunities to increase the level of active transport in the Illawarra. A representative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia will be a guest at the launch to help discuss these opportunities.

Ben Grounds of Healthy Cities Illawarra said: “The findings of this research are a vital step in identifying opportunities for making the Illawarra friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians.”

Mr Grounds said the main factors that limited the use of active transport were found to be long distances, the time involved, inclement weather and carrying capacity limitations. The factors that would encourage people to walk or cycle more often included more high quality foot paths, cycle paths and lanes, more cycle parking, improved safety and better urban design.

“Cycling and walking need to be more seriously integrated into planning and into strategies aimed at making our region less dependant on cars and more reliant on sustainable transport systems,” he said.

Increasing levels of walking and cycling for transport has numerous benefits, including reduced carbon and other emissions from cars, improved health associated with physical activity, reduced commuting costs and reduced traffic congestion.

The Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce is coordinated by Healthy Cities Illawarra and includes representatives from local governments, the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service, National Heart Foundation, Cancer Council of NSW, local bike retailers and community members.

The report will be launched at 10am at Shellharbour City Council Function Room in Lamberton House, Shellharbour City Centre.

For more information contact Ben Grounds at Healthy Cities Illawarra on 4226 5000