The state government elections take place on 25 March this year. State government has a major impact on cycling, from road safety laws to providing most of the funding for cycling infrastructure.
- Would you like to know what your candidates think about cycling?
- Would you like to show them how great cycling is for the community?
- Would you like to show them what would improve cycling in your area?
- Would you like to tell them about Bike North?
Bike North plays an active role in engaging with decision-makers at all levels of Government to achieve better outcomes for cycling in Northern Sydney.
In this election, Bike North is promoting the following cycling issues:
- Increase the expenditure on active transport
- Better enforcement of laws to improve safety for cyclists
- Introduction of more programs to make our streets more liveable and safe, such as 30kph limits, quiet ways and safe routes to school.
- More education, infrastructure and programs to accelerate the mode shift to cycling walking and public transport
These issues are identical to those being pursued consistently across NSW by the peak cycling body, Bicycle NSW. Read more about their election strategy here: NSW State Election Campaign 2023 – Bicycle NSW.
What we will be doing, together
Bike North will be writing to each candidate within our area, to question them about their position on the above priorities. Their responses to these questions will be posted on Bike North’s Election Page under the candidate’s profile. Search for your electorate on the right-hand side of the page to find your candidates’ responses.
Using the Members’ Kit below, we invite you to also contact your candidates and let them know how important cycling is to you.
Member’s Kit
The Bike North’s “Members’ Kit” allows you to participate in the elections on 25 March.
The kit includes:
- Sample text for use in emails, letters or social media posts to candidates.
- Ideas for talking points when you bump into the candidate at the shops!
- Contact information about candidates standing in your electorates.
We recommend contacting the candidates of your choice in the manner you prefer. Send an email, request a meeting (take a cycling friend to support you), call them and tell them of your concerns. Below you will find some sample text and information to help you get started.
Feel free to contact your local Bike North advocacy convenor to obtain a copy of their letters to the candidates, to discuss the issues in your area or how best to word your letter. You can contact Bike North advocates’ email addresses on our website: https://www.bikenorth.org.au/working_groups/ .
The Membership Kit information, tips and sample content is also available for you to download as a Microsoft Word file here. And Bike North’s Election Flyer is available to download as a PDF here.
Key tips for sending letters or emails
Some key tips about sending letters or emails to candidates:
- Feel free to mix and match from the sample content below! Choose the parts relevant to you.
- Don’t make your letter too long. Use bullet points. Get to the point.
- Be positive about cycling (try hard not to whinge)!
- Indicate if you are a resident of the candidates’ area
- Tell them if you are a voter or how many voters are in your household.
- Use your personal experiences as examples to make your point
- Keep your comments relevant to the electoral area
- Attach our Elections Flyer to cover the key points, leaving your personal letter for your personal comments
Find your Electorate & Candidates
To find which state electorate you are in, go to the “Find my electorate” page at the Electoral Commission website: NSW Local & State Government Elections – NSW Electoral Commission . Simply enter your address to find your electorate.
Now visit Bike North’s Election page and use the search bar on the right-hand side of this page to locate your electorate. You may also search by political party. Click on each candidates’ name to find contact details including email address, phone number and Facebook links are provides as available.
Sample content for a letter or email
Opening [be complimentary about them standing for election]
Congratulations on standing as a candidate for election on 25 March. We commend your commitment to the local community in seeking public office. OR
Congratulations on standing as a candidate for election on 25 March which is an important and honourable thing to do in our community, and in our times.
Increase in cycling [springboard from the increase in cycling in the last 2 years]
Have you noticed how many more families are cycling recently? Wouldn’t it be great if council could support them continue to cycle? More bikes have been sold than cars in the last two years. Twice as many adult bikes have been sold as children’s bikes.
Benefits of cycling [There are many benefits they may not have realised] [NOTE: IF YOU ARE ATTACHING THE FLYER, THIS CONTENT IS INCLUDED THERE, AND WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPEATED IN THE LETTER]
- Cycling is healthy for families. Cycling reduces road congestion.
- Cycling is part of our efforts toward Net Zero emissions. Cycling is a sustainable form of transport.
- Cycling, either road cycling or BMX is a form of recreation, we need to fund all healthy pursuits.
- Cycling helps get kids outdoors and being active.
- Cycling around our local communities gives a real awareness of what is happening, as opposed to rushing around in enclosed little steel boxes. More cycling leads to more connectedness in our community.
- For short trips a bike is more convenient – no parking issues, no walking from your car to the shops.
Progress in your electorate [A positive statement about your candidate’s party’s progress on cycle projects – if applicable!]
It is great that the state government has increased spending on cycling. Many in the community will benefit from this funding, and it will be great to continue this momentum.
A positive future [paint a picture of how good it would be with increased cycling] [NOTE: IF YOU ARE ATTACHING THE FLYER, THIS CONTENT IS INCLUDED THERE, AND WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPEATED IN THE LETTER]
70% of trips in Australia under 2km are taken by car. Wouldn’t it be great to allow more residents to bicycle or walk safely to the shops or train station?
Wouldn’t it be great if families could continue to ride safely around the streets of XYZ as life returns to normal?
Cycling can greatly benefit a sustainable future and help council do its bit to reach Net Zero Emissions.
Please commit [Ask the candidate to commit to support cycling]
What our members are interested to know in the lead up to the forthcoming elections are your views on whether bicycles have a role to play in addressing [electorate]’s transport challenges.
I would appreciate your providing responses to the following questions, for the information of our members and other voters:
- What will you do to help advocate for a doubling of the active transport budget, encouraging and supporting walking and cycling between destinations?
- How will you help advocate to enforce laws to make bicycle riding safer?
- How will you support Better Streets initiatives such as 30 km/h speed limits, safe routes to school and quiet ways?
- How will you help advocate for education, infrastructure and programmes in [electorate] to accelerate a mode shift from car dependency to bicycle riding, walking and public transport?
- How important do you believe active transport is in [electorate] and why?
- If elected, what projects will you advocate for to achieve better outcomes for walking and cycling?
I am a local resident and voter in the coming election as are the many other Bike North members in this electorate.
Contact me
I would be pleased to provide you more information over the phone or in person.
[your name]
[resident of XYZ electorate]
[your email address]
[your phone number??]
[and if you like] member of Bike North
Sample Letter
Candidate X
Dear X,
Congratulations on standing as a candidate for election to the NSW Parliament on 25 March. We commend your commitment to the local community in seeking public office. I write on behalf of Bike North, a northern Sydney community cycling group of more than 500 members. Read more about Bike North at www.bikenorth.org.au.
[Where applicable, mention of anything positive attributable to this candidate, eg for Tim James]
In the lead-up to the forthcoming election, Bike North members are interested in your views on what role cycling could have in addressing your electorate’s transport challenges into the future. Attached is a flyer outlining Bike North’s election priorities.
I would appreciate your response to the following questions, for the information of our members and other voters. The answers you provide will be posted on our website – NSW State Election 2023 – Play your Part (bikenorth.org.au) – along with the answers from other candidates. They will be promoted in our social media where we have a reach of more than 10,000 voters. Your responses will inform voters about issues of concern to them.
- What will you do to help advocate for a doubling of the active transport budget, encouraging and supporting walking and cycling between destinations?
- How will you help advocate to enforce laws to make bicycle riding safer?
- How will you support Better Streets initiatives such as 30 km/h speed limits, safe routes to school and quiet ways?
- How will you help advocate for education, infrastructure and programmes in [electorate] to accelerate a mode shift from car dependency to bicycle riding, walking and public transport?
- How important do you believe active transport is in [electorate] and why?
- If elected, what projects will you advocate for to achieve better outcomes for walking and cycling?
The above questions address key priorities for both northern Sydney and for the whole of NSW. These priorities are being jointly pursued in this election by Bike North and Bicycle NSW, the peak advocacy body for cyclists in NSW. Attached is a letter from Bicycle NSW endorsing both these priorities and Bike North as a representative cycling organisation.
I am a local resident – as are many other Bike North members – and will be voting in the coming election.
I would be pleased to provide you more information about our priorities and would like to organise a phone call or meeting. When would be convenient for you to discuss the opportunities available from increased support for cycling in [electorate]?
Thank you in anticipation of your response.
[your name][resident of [electorate]]
[your email address]
[your phone number??]
Member of Bike North & cyclist for xxx years