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No 32, February 2004
Editor: Catherine Stuart
Production: Keith Griffin
The views expressed in Chain Mail articles are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by a majority of Bike North members, or Bike North policy as formulated by the Bike North Executive Committee.
Vote for Council – why should I care?
Saturday March 27th is Council Election Day and we decide who will be on the local council for the next 4 years.
WHAT'S THAT TO DO WITH CYCLING?
Because what Councils do affects your cycling and you can affect Council.
Councils are the main authority responsible for building and maintaining local roads and
pathways where we ride. The RTA has responsibility for regional roads and cycleways, but
the council plays a significant role in making sure these happen and may even build the
facilities. Councils are the key authority for:
- planning and developing bike routes and parking facilities.
- ensuring bike safe measures are integrated into all road works.
- making bicycle hazards safe.
- ensuring commercial, residential, and other developments support cyclists.
- promoting and educating for bike use locally.
- including bikes in their vision of the area.
YOU CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOUR COUNCIL VIEWS CYCLING
Let them know you are a cyclist and want things improved. Raise bicycle issues with Councillors and 'put cycling on their agenda'. Councillors represent your community and you can help them see that a large proportion of their community ride bikes and need a better deal. A bicycle aware and supportive council won't result in utopia for cyclists, but it will help.
Employed council officers make the recommendations and do the work, but they are influenced by Councillors and guided by the policies determined at Council.
HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?
Before the Election talk to the candidates standing in your local area. Find out their attitude toward cycling and raise their awareness. Remember, these candidates are ordinary people from your local community, often standing because of a single issue and YOU may be the one who opens their eyes to the needs of people who cycle. Once you've sussed out your candidates, vote for those you want to represent you. If you are cycling the RTA Big Ride or otherwise out of town on election day, don't forget to vote before you go!!! There is no absentee voting!! After the Election contact and congratulate the successful candidates who are now your local councillors. Continue to raise cycling issues with them and make it clear you expect their support for cycle friendly proposals.
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES YOU SHOULD TALK ABOUT?
For some ideas on issues to discuss, check out the cycling review of your council area in this issue. More questions? Talk with your local workgroup convenor (see Local Working Groups Contacts box) or Carolyn New, the Bike North Advocacy Officer.
Some of the bigger issues are the BikePlan 2010 projects scheduled over the next four years and although these are the responsibility of the RTA we also need our councils to advocate for their timely design and facilitate their successful implementation. These projects are:
- Rail Trail, Eastwood to Concord West (2004)
- Chatswood to Harbour Bridge (2004)
- Macquarie University Connections (2004)
- Chatswood to Gladesville (2005)
- Lane Cove to Chatswood (2008)
SHOULD YOU HELP A COUNCIL CANDIDATE?
Councillor candidates are local people and may be your friends, neighbours or acquaintances. It is possible that you may be asked to help them in their campaign, such as by handing out leaflets. If you want to help a candidate that's fine, but that's a personal decision and must done in a personal capacity and should NEVER appear as being support on behalf of Bike North (even if they are a Bike North member!). Bike North itself MUST be independent of political support.