WA Budget Submission 2024

WA BUdget Submission 2024-25

WESTCYCLE IS MAKING THE CASE FOR SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN CYCLING
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY

As the representative voice for people who ride bikes in WA, WestCycle has made a submission to government with recommendations that aim to:

maintain the momentum to deliver a world-class bike network,
ensure there are affordable, safe and fun recreational cycling opportunities for all types of bike riders,
encourage more people to ride bikes more often

Our budget submission offers easy wins for government that provide an excellent return on investment and aligns with existing strategies and plans. It’s a win-win!

The  WestCycle 2024 WA Budget Submission calls for:
$80 million a year for Active TranSport

Two thirds of all car trips in Perth less than 5km, meaning most of these trips could be done by walking or riding a bike if people had safe places to do so. Increasing investment in active transport to $80 million a year gives people more options for how they get around each day, and supports the development of a flexible, resilient and low carbon transport system.

The funding should exclude major projects to prioritise active travel infrastructure and projects that will:

accelerate the delivery of the Long-Term Cycle Network and WA Bicycle Network, including connectivity to METRONET
ensure adequate maintenance of existing cycling infrastructure
encourage local government investment in cycling infrastructure by changing the funding split to match that for road projects
implement of the Active Travel to School Roadmap

$2 MILLION FOR an E-Bike Subsidy Program

WA has one of the most generous subsidy schemes for zero emissions vehicles in Australia. As a significantly cheaper transport alternative to a new electric vehicle, e-bikes can be an accessible option for a wider range of people. Evaluation of an e-bike subsidy scheme in Oslo found that the subsidy significantly influenced their decision to purchase an e-bike.

The inclusion of e-bikes in subsidies for electric vehicles, or as a stand-alone program, will encourage wider uptake of e-bikes and enable a new cohort of commuters to help reduce emissions, traffic congestion and improve health and safety outcomes.

$25 MILLION to complete the wadandi track by 2028

The Wadandi Track is currently two disconnected sections of trail, each near the major tourism towns of Margaret River and Busselton. With investment of $25 million from the State Government, the full potential of the track can be realised, and provide bike riders and hikers with the opportunity to enjoy 110km of uninterrupted trail from Busselton and Augusta through the heart of the stunning Margaret River Region.

The business case states, “the development of the Wadandi Track is a priority infrastructure development project that will enable further tourism, residential, visitor and business investment growth across the region.” The WA Mountain Biking Strategy 2022-2023 and relevant reference groups identified the completion of the Wadandi Track as a priority. The project funding should be secured in full to deliver this significant regional project by 2028.

$1 MILLION a year to Maintain trails

Significant investment has been made in mountain bike trails over recent years. Off-road cycling and mountain biking trails are maintained through provision of an ad hoc mix of funding and resources, by community clubs and volunteers.

Expanding the budget for trail maintenance by $1 million will ensure trail managers have the resources and skills required to the ensure trails meet best practice standards, use of these community assets continues to grow, trail users are kept safe, and the environment is protected.

The WA Strategic Trails Blueprint 2022-2027 identifies the “need for a sustainable and consistent approach to asset maintenance, including available funding and resources”.

Help maintain mass participation cycling events

Rising costs associated with running major events has significantly impacted all sectors. For organisers of mass participation cycling events, the significant increase in traffic management costs, including road closures, diversions and personnel, have made road cycling events particularly expensive to run. Cycling events are popular among people who want to get fit and active through a low impact sport with multiple entry levels.

Increasing State Government investment in the Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program will ensure that events remain affordable for participants while reducing the risk to event organisers.

This additional funding would also contribute positively to the local community where events are held, growing the already significant $1.985 billion a year contribution cycling makes to the WA economy.

Enabling people to ride bikes more often is a low-cost and effective way to meet emissions reduction targets, improve mental and physical health, boost community connection and workplace productivity, while reducing traffic congestion and easing cost of living issues.

Investment in cycling will also make streets safer, reduce pollution, improve the quality of life, and ensure a sustainable, economically vibrant, and healthy community.