City of Fremantle Receives $103 200 in Bicycle Network Funding

Residents in the City of Fremantle will soon enjoy improved cycling facilities following the announcement of $103,200 in State Government funding through the Perth Bicycle Network Local Government Grant Program.

Member for the South Metropolitan Region, Hon Nick Goiran MLC said part of the funding for the City of Fremantle would go towards marking and widening the Parry Street bicycle lanes.

“The new cycling infrastructure will improve the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities, provide new healthy transport opportunities and reduce vehicle emissions within the City of Fremantle,” Mr Goiran stated.

“The Perth Bicycle Network program is also helping to reduce congestion on our roads whilst providing people a healthy transport and leisure alternative.”

Research findings by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing indicate that physical inactivity is the second biggest cause of illness in Australia, and this funding will go towards combating this epidemic,

Other projects in the current round of grants in Fremantle include;

• Upgrading the black asphalt path to from Annie Street to existing path to Mather Road (Mather Road, Beaconsfield)
• Installation of bicycle parking at the Fremantle Leisure Centre (Shuffry Street, Fremantle), and
• Bicycle parking for South Beach near Ocean Road

Administered by the Department of Transport’s Bikewest, the program offers funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis for the development and implementation of cycling infrastructure, facilities, planning and promotional projects, and so far $13million has been spent under the grants program since first established in 1996.

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien, who announced the grants last week , said that 19 metropolitan councils would share in a total of $1million for improvements to the Perth Bicycle Network,

“Perth is recognised for its world-class cycling facilities and these grants will further improve our cycling and pedestrian infrastructure for residents and tourists.” Minister O’Brien said.

For more information on the Perth Bicycle Network and the Local Government Grant Program, ring (08) 9216 8000 or visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/pbn