Federal Election Campaign 2025

In addition, Bicycle NSW is supporting our national advocacy partners WeRide and Better Streets in calling on the next Australian Government to invest in a National Infrastructure Program for active transport in our communities.

How federal MPs can influence the bicycle landscape

The lead up to an election always provides a great opportunity to make contact with current and aspiring Members of Parliament and ask them to help advance our advocacy to make NSW better for bike riders.

Of course, transport is not a key concern of federal representatives. Most of our public transport and road networks are managed by state and local governments. However, a significant chunk of funding for transport and roads is allocated to the states by the Australian Government. 

Not nearly enough is spent on active transport. Over the last two decades, the Federal Government has spent just $384million on walking and cycling, less than 1% of road funding. Meanwhile, tax loopholes for large utes costs Australians over $250 million each year. This is more than ten times the Federal Government’s latest Active Transport Fund for the construction and upgrade of cycle paths.

Furthermore, vehicle and fuel taxes and rebates are managed federally, and imports are controlled at a national level. Federal levers could rapidly expand the uptake of safe and compliant e-bikes, helping ensure that sustainable e-mobility reaches its full potential.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, the Hon. Patrick Gorman, launches the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling for the 47th Parliament in November 2022 (Image: WeRide)

It is very much in the interest of federal MPs to care about expanding the uptake of bike riding. More cycling can help achieve the legislated targets to cut transport emissions – and tackle escalating public health costs.

What the bicycle community can do

Please contact your federal candidates and amplify the voice of bike riders in Australia.  As a constituent who votes, your opinion is important to politicians.  Candidates and parties are there to listen to the views of the public and if elected, represent your needs in parliament.  Candidates can win or lose the election based on the way you vote.

The more people who contact politicians about cycling, the harder it is to ignore us.

Letter and emails are good ways to engage with candidates. You can also make an approach on social media, attend a drop-in session or arrange for a meeting in the electorate office. 

• As nominations close, 10 days after the election is called, candidates will start to be listed on the AEC website until they are all announced on Fri 11 Apr. You can check your electorate here.
• Start with a bit about you and any groups you are representing, and be sure to look up the candidate’s correct title and contact details.
• You can discuss local projects, or focus on the national issues outlined in the Bicycle NSW Asks. Explain why you and your family need safe infrastructure or e-bike incentives or more sustainable ways to get to school.
• A personal letter from cyclist is not just another submission full of facts and figures from experts, it is an everyday Australian telling their story. It makes the request more meaningful and connects with the hearts and minds of candidates.

Let Bicycle NSW know if you receive any commitments from your candidates. We can share these with the bicycle community via our social media channels.

One more election ask for you!

Join Bicycle NSW and turbocharge our efforts to advocate for more funding, safe e-mobility and better infrastructure.  Become a Member during the election campaign and get 20% off your membership. Use BNSWELECT20 at the checkout.