JUNE 2021

AusCycling acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Ngunnawal land on which we live. We pay respect to Elder’s past, present and emerging and acknowledge the important role

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within our community.

ACT GOVERNMENTBUDGET SUBMISSIONPRESENTED BYAUSCYCLING LTD

2021-22

AusCycling is pleased to provide a submission to ACT Government for public consultation for the 2021-2022 ACT Budget.

The unprecedented resurgence of the popularity of cycling during the COVID19 pandemic reinforced how central bike riding is to the Australian way of life.

Cycling became more integral to daily life in Australia, with more people working and studying from home. More families experienced the beauty of nature exploring the city parks or cycling trails, while spending quality time together through bike riding.

Riding for exercise increased, with the pausing of team sports and the shutdown of exercise venues. Moreover, anxiety of using public transport made cycling a viable option for socially distant travel.

As the peak body in Australia responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling, AusCycling was established in November 2020, through the merger of 18 separate organisations. We are uniquely positioned to represent the sport for the future and provide enhanced services to clubs, riders, o�cials, volunteers and the entire cycling eco-system.

AusCycling’s vision is to unlock cycling’s potential and inspire Australia to become a nation of bike riders – be it for leisure, commuting, racing and just for fun. We also advocate for riders’ safety, establish strong club communities and make all forms of cycling accessible to all.

We welcome your consideration of our submission and the recommendations proposed. AusCycling also looks forwardto working with the ACT Government and other stakeholdersto keep cycling front and centre of the Australian lifestyle.

Regards,

12021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

Marne FechnerCEOAusCycling Ltd

22021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

ABOUTAUSCYCLINGAusCycling is the National Sporting Organisation responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling in Australia, formed by an amalgamation of MTBA, BMXA and Cycling Australia (CA) and the 15 State Sporting Organisations.

Established in November 2020, AusCycling is uniquely positioned to represent the sport for the future and to provide enhanced services to clubs, riders, o�cials and volunteers.

AusCycling currently represents over 54,000 members and 400 cycling clubs across BMX, BMX Freestyle, Cyclo-Cross, E-Sport, Mountain Bike, Para-Cycling, Road, Track and Lifestyle (recreational and commuter) riders throughout Australia forming one of Australia’s largest cycling communities. Representing all levels of the sport from grassroots to high performance.

Our vision is to unlock cycling’s potential, advocate for riders’ safety, establish strong club communities and make all forms of cycling accessible to everyone.

As the national administrative body responsible for the sport of cycling in Australia, AusCycling is recognised by:

• the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling which groups together 197 National Federations.

• the Australian Government through Sport Australia (formerly the Australian Sports Commission),

• the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the Paralympics Australia.

The international accreditation enables AusCycling to be the conduit to bidding for hosting rights to world championship in all disciplines (as an example, the Road World Championships to be conducted in Wollongong in 2022), as well as partner on bids for Commonwealth and Olympic Games (such as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics bid).

In addition, this infrastructure is complementary to winning hosting rights to National Championship events, this further drives an economic agenda through major event acquisition, tourism outcomes and jobs creation.

32021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

AUSCYCLINGOPERATION

Education and Accreditation: AusCycling provides resources, training courses and accreditation to Coaches, Instructors and O�cials.

Participation: AusCycling focuses on and supports participationfor all sectors of the community through:

• Ride Nation Schools. A National Bike Education Program that is a fun and interactive learning experience that teaches young people to develop their riding skills and confidence – supporting kids in their independence and giving parents peace of mind.

• She Rides. An introductory riding program focused on fitness, skills development and creating a social riding community of women, with the aim to help women make riding part of their everyday life.

• Ride Nation. The place where the cycling community comes to connect, learn, improve, and have fun! Wherever you are on your riding journey, Ride Nation is the marketplace for programs, activities, events, and adventures that suit your needs.

• Come and Try. Where people new to cycling are able to try di�erent disciplines at club level.

Sport Development: AusCycling is responsible for administrating, coordinating and the developing of all sport related programs and includes domestic development camps, Junior travel programs, state teams, international development camps, World Cup entries, World Championship selection.

Major cycling events across Australia: AusCycling sanctions and organises numerous National, State and local cycling events across Australia, including BMX (Freestyle and Racing), Cyclo-Cross, E-Sport, Mountain Bike, Para-Cycling, Road and Track.

Membership: AusCycling provides a range of membership typesto accommodate every rider’s requirements and discipline, which includes Member Insurance 24/7 anywhere in the world.

The range of membership types are:

• Lifestyle membership. Tailored to individuals who want to ride for leisure or enjoy the commute and are available via a month-to-month no lock-in option.

• O�-Road Race Membership. For those who love to race and are geared towards BMX, Mountain Bike and Cyclocross.

• Race All-Discipline. Suitable for the competitive type who enjoys all sorts of riding. This membership package allows you to race; Road, Track, MTB, BMX, Mountain Bike and Cyclocross.

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42021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

BENEFITSOF CYCLING

52021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

An unexpected but positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an emergenceof a bike riding boom, reinforcing how central to Australian life cycling is.

Lockdowns, social distancing and anxiety about using public transport has seen a shift in people turning to or returning to their bikes in unprecedented numbers in Australia and globally.

Recent statistics show cycling levels in Australia have increased by 69% compared to pre-COVID levels.

Bike shops have reported soaring sales of new bikes while suppliers struggle to meet the record demand as people across the country embrace the simple pleasure of riding their bikes.

During lockdown it became evident that through reduced vehicles usage, family and communities felt safer to be out on their bikes, highlighting the need for well-planned, maintained and supported infrastructure to better enable bike riding.

The immense health benefits of cycling include increased muscle strength, flexibility and strengthened bones. Regular cycling also results in a stronger immune system, increased cardiovascular fitness, decreased body fat and lowered risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Stress and anxiety can be reduced by regular bike riding leading to better mental health and well-being.

To keep people fit, healthy, happy, and engaged with their bicycle and communities does however require some will, planning and fit for purpose cycling policies and infrastructure.

The ACT more than most regions recognises the value that cycling provides the community.The ACT Government’s aspiration is to establish Canberra and the region as Australia’s cycling destination of choice. AusCycling is in a unique position to assist and support this aspiration.

The benefits of cycling are well documented, with many ACT government agencies pointingto the economic, health and active transport benefits. As a snapshot, these include:

• CBR Cycle Tourism Strategy 2018• Canberra Mountain bike Experience 2021• Canberra Mountain Bike Report• ACT Sport and Recreation Active 2020• Active 2020 Strategic Plan• 2020 Tourism Strategy• Moving Canberra Integrated Transport Strategy• ACT Transport Strategy 2020• Transport Canberra Active Travel• ACT Preventative Health Plan 2020-2025• ACT Preventative Health Plan 2020-2025 3-year action plan 2020-2023• ACT Wellbeing Framework• ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-25• Zero emissions transport• ACT Planning Strategy 2018• ACT Infrastructure Plan 2021

62021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

PROPOSAL

72021-22 ACT Government Budget Submission

Within the Parliamentary & Governing Agreement, 10th Legislative Assembly, ACT Labour and ACT Greens have provided election commitments and policy platform that are policy priorities to progress this term, subject to budget considerations, set out in Appendix 3, Sections 9.4 & 12.1 and Appendix 4, Sections 6.1, 6.2, 22.1,22.2 & 22.3.

AusCycling already collaborates with the ACT Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG) and the Stromlo Sports & Recreation User group. Within these groups there is approximately 15 ACT Government representatives with di�erent areas of responsibility.

Although the BAG does make headway it also highlights an issue - the ability to draw all these policy areas together to fully unlock the potential that cycling can bring to the community can be challenging.

To assist with these aspirations AusCycling proposes the following recommendations:

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Finalise and implement the End-of-Trip Facilities General Code to encourage improved bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities in commercial developments.

As a consequence of COVID-19 and the uptake of electric bikes this has increased in priority. If people cannot easily transition from cycling attire to work attire it becomes a barrier to engaging in active travel and the cycling infrastructure up to that point.

Fund the Stromlo Forest Park (SFP) Better Infrastructure Review with the aim of progressing the 5 Key Projects to Investment ready status including finalising the SFP Masterplan.

Fund the SFP Criterium Track extension / Bicycle access to SFP (Criterium track to Uriarra Rd).

Given tra�c demands from the Stromlo Leisure Centre and other SFP users on Dave McInnes Road, it has impacted the ability to run cycling and triathlon events from SFP.

Increase the maintenance budget for Stromlo Forrest Park, SFP, trails by 30% to maintain the existing mountain bike trails and facilities.

Provide lighting for the Criterium Circuit.

The utilisation of SFP can be greatly improved withthe installation of lighting. Facility use is limited once daylight-saving ends.

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Provide lighting, concrete apron and shade structures at the Narrabundah Velodrome.

The time the facility can be utilised is brief once school / work and daylight hours are considered. There is an opportunity for this facility to be utilised to a far greater extent. A concrete apron would improve rider safety making it easier for beginners to use.

Establishment of an Asphalt 400-meterFlat Track facility in Canberra.

There is opportunity to establish a multi-function flat track on a decommissioned oval in a central area.This provides a safe place to teach people to learnto ride o�-road and enables participation in a safe environment.

It also creates a place for aspiring athletes to complete high-level interval and sprint training and learn to ride fix gear track bicycles.

A flat track is a facility that is able to cater for all types of bikes (eg: a velodrome is specific to a track bike because of the banking and the bottom bracket requirements).

Provide cycle track access to SFP fromMolonglo River Corridor.

With the election commitment for SFP playing fields, bicycle (o�-road) access to SFP will be required.

Maintenance of the existing cycling track infrastructure, in particular cycling trunk routes.

This not only includes on-going repair to cycle track surfaces, but regular sweeping of the paths.

By maintaining and enabling greater usage of existing cycling infrastructure, we feel the community will benefit to create safe spaces to improve skills and confidence in their bike riding, capitalising on the huge uptake of bike riding by beginners and families.

This along with the development of Stromlo Forest Park as per the Masterplan will go a long way to achieving many of the ACT Government’s and community objectives.

In addition, through creating infrastructure necessary to bid and host major events, this further drives an economic agenda through major event acquisition, tourism outcomes and jobs creation.

AusCycling is uniquely placed to partner on this agenda.

We look forward to working with the government and other stakeholders to ensure cycling continues to thrive and remains at the centre of Australian lifestyle.