The Bicycle NSW council election campaign has been underway for 2 months. The aim to introduce Bicycle NSW and our key ‘asks’ to as many candidates as possible, and identify champions for our mission to make NSW better for bike riding.
With the help of our Members, the Bicycle User Groups and the broader bicycle community, we have reached out to approximately 1200 candidates. Each candidate has been encouraged to take a pledge to be a #CouncillorForActiveTransport2024.
We hope that the candidates, while very busy in the run up to 14 September, will take a few moments to read about our work. We can then hit the road running (or wheeling!) once new councils have formed in a few weeks.
There are now over 200 pledges. A recent deep dive into the data found that 28% of these are from Country NSW.
One #CouncillorForActiveTransport from the bush really caught our attention on social media! Dr Steve Peterson, a candidate at Orange City Council, uses a wheelchair. He has put enhanced accessibility and better footpaths front and centre of his campaign.
Bicycle NSW content writer Monique Ewen got in touch to find out more about Steve and his work in Orange.
A local doctor, a family man, and a quadriplegic
Steve lives on a cattle farm with his wife and two boys, aged 10 and 8. He was first elected to Council in 2021 and he is running as an independent for a second term. Steve is a doctor with a strong background in community service. He is also a quadriplegic.
The Peterson family photo at home near Orange with Spot the dog and Sophie the cat
(Image: Ruby Owens photography)
“For people who cycle on a regular basis it is very good for their health. It is a low impact, very accessible form of exercise. There's an environmental benefit too. It gets cars off the road. And from a council point of view, it puts less pressure on parking and road infrastructure.”
As we are talking, Steve is being driven home to the farm. A few minutes into our conversation, we are interrupted as the car stops to wait for an echidna to cross the road. Steve then warns me that the connection may drop out as the next section of road has minimal phone reception. It is a very different commute to mine in the centre of Sydney!
Small projects with a big impact
We talk about the infrastructure challenges in Orange. Steve stresses the importance of simple changes such as speed adjustments, signage and road surfacing, as well as educating drivers and bike riders. Having already served a term in local government, he is keenly aware of the limited resources for infrastructure change, especially in a rural area.
“We are never going to have a bicycle network the way that a big city might, just because of the population and the cost,” says Steve. “Our footpath network is patchy. At the current rate of spending, we think it will take 104 years to line every road in Orange with a footpath! So we have to do little things to improve accessibility wherever we can. It's always going to be a case of knowing what we can afford and prioritising the areas that need upgrades most.”
Steve was a keen cyclist until six years ago
His life changed forever when he was hit by a car on his commute to work at the Orange Hospital Emergency Department. He suffered a major spinal injury that left him quadriplegic. Steve tells his story in this moving video. Although the incident hasn’t changed his commitment to active travel, it has deepened his understanding of the issues and broadened his perspective.
Steve’s fifth election priority is improving access for all. “My physical disability has opened my eyes to many things I never realised before,” says Steve. “Even as a doctor, I didn't really understand some of the challenges affecting people with a disability.” (Image: Dr Steve Peterson)
“I am now well suited to champion issues such as inaccessible shops and buses, a dearth of accessible taxis, unsafe footpaths, broken lifts, no bathrooms, inadequate accommodation, no parking and missing kerb ramps. I want some good to come out of my quadriplegia, and if I can use that disaster to make my local area more welcoming for the elderly, parents with prams, and people on bikes as well as those with disabilities, then great.”
“So, there is a positive in knowing that now and hopefully I can be both a better doctor and a better Councillor.”
For Steve, the challenges of rural life are matched by the advantages, and he encourages me to consider moving there. “It's a good place to live. Way cheaper homes, same salaries, and lots of mountain biking. There is definitely some quality mountain biking!”
Steve using an adapted off-road tricycle during a visit to the Mount Canobolas site where a mountain bike trial network was proposed. The project is in limbo due to environmental concerns. Steve was a keen mountain biker pre-quadriplegia but he recognises that there are many opinions about the future use of Mount Canobolas. He has committed to developing a collaborative, community-led recreation plan that supports a broad range of activities. (Image: Dr Steve Peterson)
Go Steve! We wish you the best with your campaign.
Can you help find more #CouncillorsForActiveTransport?
We want to see elected councillors in every LGA carrying the torch for walking and cycling!
Please get involved in the Bicycle NSW council election campaign and:
- Contact your candidates to advocate for projects in your area. Campaign resources, our election ‘asks’ and sample letters are in our campaign guide here.
- Encourage them to take Bicycle NSW pledge.
- Thank any candidates who have already signed the pledge. An updated list is here.
One more thing. This is important!
Bicycle NSW is the only on-ground peak advocacy body in NSW that employs staff in NSW and regionally. We work very hard every day to make NSW better for bike riding.
But we are only funded by membership fees and public donations. We need more help to do our work.
If you are not a Bicycle NSW Member, we ask you to join our family. You will strengthen our advocacy for more bike infrastructure and safer streets. And you will also ride with peace of mind knowing that you are covered by our comprehensive insurance.
Not quite ready to sign up? Then please buy Bicycle NSW a coffee (or three!)
