Cycling Promotion Fund: Vote 4 Cycling Campaign Candidate Survey

Vote4Cycling.com.au is a non–partisan campaign asking candidates in the 24 March 2007 NSW State election their views on cycling and to commit to increased resources and support if they are elected. Vote4Cycling.com.au has received hundreds of messages of support for our election campaign. Over 300 individual emails have been sent to the candidates and a similar number of personal letters to newspaper editors. Congratulations to all who are helping our campaign.

With all this activity Vote4Cycling.com.au has received survey responses covering nearly half the candidates in the election. Below is a matrix of specific responses to our survey. The Greens and most major Independents have taken the 5 minutes to complete the survey. You can download the Candidate Survey here.

• Click here for enlarged image

• Click here to download a full-scale version of the Vote4Cycling Survey Results

By way of assessing their responses we offer the following guide. Remember this is a non–partisan election campaign trying to get a better deal for cyclists.
Greens & Independents – comment by Noel McFarlane CPF

“It is not unexpected to have such a positive and forthright response from the Greens and key Independents like Clover Moore and David Barr. I note that not all high profile Independents responded and they did not all have the same position on each issue. The Greens and most key Independents have an excellent track record for supporting our cycling agenda. I give this a big thumbs up for the Greens and key Independents. But you should check the matrix table for each response.”

We have been disappointed but perhaps not surprised that both the ALP and Liberal/National parties did not complete the Vote4Cycling.com.au survey. On the bright side the Liberal National Coalition has released its first ever comprehensive cycling policy and responded in a letter to our survey.
Liberal National Coalition

• Peter Debnam, Vote4cycling Cover Letter, 26/02/07.
• Liberal’s Cycling Policy, 2007.

– comment by Noel McFarlane CPF

“I congratulate the Liberals on releasing their first ever cycling policy for this state election. The policy answers most of our key questions regarding infrastructure, planning, policy and transport reform. The only draw back is the lack of commitment to funding. But overall this is a thumbs up for the Libs.”
Australian Labor Party

The ALP after repeated communication and ‘requests’ has unfortunately not responded. We are not sure if that demonstrates apathy or different priorities. However one ALP candidate has emailed a response that we publish by way of providing some ALP policy input to this campaign.

• The ALP’s Response to the Vote4Cycling Survey.

– comment by Noel McFarlane CPF

“We were disappointed that the ALP head office ignored our repeated requests for a response on the survey. We noted with exasperation that at the same time the ALP provided a response to the NRMA regarding road funding issues. To provide some balance to the survey task we have taken a general response from ALP candidate for Newcastle Jodi McKay (thanks Jodi) to asses the broader ALP position. After 12 years in office the ALP response rests upon their record. We are not satisfied that the State government has delivered on its commitments to cycling in the past and there appears no strong focus for cycling in NSW going forward. This is a thumbs down for Labor”
Climate Change Coalition

• Climate Change Coalition – Bicycle Policy.

– comment by Noel McFarlane CPF

“This is a new entry to the state election and their bicycle policy whilst broad sweeping and general in nature is an excellent start. Their response to our candidate survey is 10/10 for supporting our cycling agenda. Thumbs up for the Climate Change coalition in the Upper House”

The results of the candidate’s survey allow you to be the best judge on which candidates are serious about supporting cycling, reducing green house gas emissions, cutting traffic congestion and improving the health of our community. The information is now in your hands.