Putting bikes on the agenda for the 2024 council elections
There are 128 local government councils in NSW. Each council has 5-15 councillors, including a mayor, who serve for a four-year term. The NSW Electoral Commission will be conducting elections on Saturday, 14th September 2024 to elect councillors.
Head here for more information about how local government elections work.
Bicycle NSW would love our community of friends and Members to reach out to candidates. Ask them to promise improvements to bike infrastructure to secure your vote, and encourage them to to take a pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport2024.
The run up to an election is a great time to put active transport front and centre in the hearts and minds of both candidates and voters. Many politicians don’t regularly hear from bike riders or understand how much community support there is for safer streets. This is not so surprising. If your local area doesn’t have quality bike infrastructure, most people won’t think to ask for it.
Why walking and cycling should be a priority for councillors
Making it easier to walk and ride will address many of the issues that overwhelm councillors’ inboxes.
Cost of living pressures, parking problems, congestion and traffic woes, and unsafe streets around schools are constant themes in local government.
In addition, many councils have signed up Net Zero targets.
Transport is the second largest source of CO2 emissions and it is growing. Without bold actions to facilitate active and public transport, it will be impossible to meet targets
Our Asks
The NSW Government is responsible for much of the funding and decision-making that affects our transport network. However, councils control local roads, how rates are spent and can advocate to state and federal governments for funding.
The Bicycle NSW council election campaign focuses on actions that councils can control and work towards:
Dedicated investment
- Councils need to apply for all available NSW Government grants to ensure that their areas are not overlooked.
- Operational budgets should have strong targets to improve streets each and every year with best-practice paths, new crossings and trees.
- Council policies must be updated to ensure that upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure occur every time a road is re-sheeted.
Safer streets
- Safety is key to increasing bike riding and walking. We want every street to be a Better Street that prioritises people not cars.
- Residential streets and town centres need low speed limits, restricted through traffic, high-quality footpaths and crossings, and more tree canopy.
- Councils must support the development of separated cycleways on busy corridors where traffic is faster.
- It is essential to create safe routes to all schools in the council area with a razor-sharp focus on new raised crossings, wide, continuous footpaths, and low speed limits on key routes used by students.
An active culture
- Education to help everyone share the road safely is critical. We want councils to lead effective awareness campaigns and training courses that help all road users develop skills and knowledge to interact safely in our public spaces.
- Every council should have a walking and cycling advisory committee or strategic reference group to guide projects and investments.
- E-bike subsidies, loans and trials are proven to nudge many people into trying this transformative transport option. We urge all councils to develop and fund a program.
What Bicycle NSW will do
As the peak advocacy body in NSW, we will write to all candidates to introduce Bicycle NSW and our key asks. We will encourage each candidate to take a pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport2024.
All responses received will be published on our website and shared on social media.
Candidates can use the pledge graphic in their own communications to let voters know that they will fight for the very best active transport outcomes.
This will help voters decide which boxes to tick on election day!
What you can do
We rely on our incredible community of friends and Members to advocate for projects and initiatives in their areas. Please get involve during the run up to the council elections and:
Write to your local candidates. Ask them take the Bicycle NSW pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport2024. Amplify our Asks but add personal stories and request action on local projects. A sample letter template is below. You can find email addresses here.
Communicate to friends and neighbours about the council election. Ask 'What's important for cycling and walking in your suburb?' Prompt them to share an idea or a picture with candidate.
Engage friends in dialogue about Bicycle NSW campaigns and encourage them to canvas candidates in their respective suburbs. A network of grassroots advocates will make our collective voice very loud!
Share articles and stories about active transport on social media to inform friends and community groups about topics such as 30 km/h speed limits, e-bike subsidies, local infrastructure projects, walkable neighbourhoods and safer streets.
Join Bicycle NSW in advocating for better infrastructure. Become a Member during the election campaign and get 20% off your membership.
Sample Letter Sections
These sections can be used to compose a letter or an email to your local candidates. Mix and match! Pick the bits you want to use. Don't make it too long. Be positive about cycling and praise any recent progress to deliver safe infrastructure for bike riding in the LGA.
Make sure you mention that you are a resident of the area and a voter. Use personal experiences and examples to make your point individual and local.
You may like to share articles and data about active transport and safer streets to help candidates understand why these issues should be their priority. The Bicycle NSW articles below provide some excellent resources to get you started.
Congratulations on standing as a candidate for the NSW Council Elections on 14th September I commend your commitment to the local community in seeking public office.
As a bike rider, I am very interested to understand what you would like to achieve for active transport in xx Council and how you plan to support walking and cycling.
There are some exciting walking and cycling projects underway / recently completed in the area [e.g. list those significant to you]. Many residents will benefit from this work. It is essential that the xx Council does not lose momentum.
Did you know that 70% of trips under 2km are made by car? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if it was safer and more attractive to make these short journeys on foot or by bike?
Walking, cycling, micromobility and public transport are the key to meeting Net Zero targets. Switching to electric cars will not get us close.
Cycling is growing in popularity. More bikes have been sold than cars in the last two years. There is huge community support for better infrastructure!
I’m sure you are aware of the many amazing benefits of bike riding:
Cycling is healthy for everyone
Cycling reduces road congestion
Cycling is a sustainable form of transport
Cycling will make an essential contribution towards reaching Net Zero emissions
Cycling can be an enjoyable and exciting form of recreation
Cycling helps get kids outdoors and active.
Cycling leads to more connectedness in our community
Cycling is more convenient for short trips
Cycling can support public transport use
Cycling eases pressure on household budgets.
Add data and examples that inspire you. The resources below will help.
Personal stories are brilliant. How does cycling make your life better?
I would appreciate your responses to the following questions (choose 3 or 4) as it will influence my vote.
Perhaps include questions relating to the Bicycle NSW campaign. This will help amplify our messages:
- Will you take the Bicycle NSW pledge to be a #2024CouncillorForActiveTransport?
- Will you put active transport at the forefront of budget decisions and grant applications?
- Do you support Better Streets initiatives such as reduced speed limits, safe routes to school and low-traffic neighbourhoods?
- Will you initiate education programs and e-bike subsidies in your council to accelerate a mode shift from car dependency to active and public transport?
- Will you help establish a walking and cycling advisory group to guide the planning, design and delivery of active transport projects?
Or you could discuss specific projects or priorities:
- Why do you see active travel as important in your electorate?
- If elected, which projects will you advocate for to achieve better outcomes for walking and bik riding?
- Several strategic cycleway corridors cross the LGA. How will you help deliver these?
- What can Council do to build community appetite for walking and cycling projects?
I am a local resident and a voter in the coming council election.
I would be pleased to provide you more information over the phone or in person.
[your name]
[resident of electorate]
[your email address]
[your phone number??]
Bicycle NSW Member xxx [if applicable]
Resources
