Baillieu turns the dial to zero

[greyhoundtom]

From Bicycle Network Victoria

Baillieu turns the dial to zero

2 May 2012. The 2012 budget papers show that the government has made a deliberate decision to slam the door on Victoria's bike riders.

The foundation of the State's bike infrastructure investment, the VicRoads Bicycle Program, has been slashed to zero. (Some commitments from previous budgets are still trickling through.)
None of the high priority infrastructure projects which were planned for next year have been funded.

Desperately needed lanes, signals, intersections and other urgent safety improvements have been dropped.

"We never expected that the Baillieu government would reverse 20 years of gradual progress by both both sides of politics and shut down one of the most popular and effective programs in the government," said Bicycle Network CEO, Harry Barber.

"The 1.1 million Victorians who ride a bike each week will feel bewildered and abandoned.
"This decision is clearly not the result of a careful and measured budget reduction process—it is a deliberate policy decision to do nothing," Mr Barber said.

The one year shutdown of the bike infrastructure program rips more than $20 million away from bike facilities investment.

While this will be a massive loss for bike riders, it is totally insignificant in the context of the $41 billion infrastructure budget.

And as every study shows, money invested in bikes actually reduces the burden on the budget and taxpayers. So rather than saving money, the government's decision is costing us money.

More HERE

[igstar]

I can't really say that I'm surprised...

[il padrone]

Nice little biblical quote from the big house tonight "What was it Jesus said 'Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!' "

[Mulger bill]

Surprise factor of 1.3x10-25

[ColinOldnCranky]

Crap- Agitate like buggery. I always think of Victoria as being the leader in many things cycling.

[silentbutdeadly]

I always think of Victoria as being the leader in many things cycling.

Unfortunately...that could be the case in this instance too.

[igstar]

I always think of Victoria as being the leader in many things cycling.

Unfortunately...that could be the case in this instance too.

The problem is that we are so far ahead that we need to give others a chance to catch up.

[silentbutdeadly]

I always think of Victoria as being the leader in many things cycling.

Unfortunately...that could be the case in this instance too.

The problem is that we are so far ahead that we need to give others a chance to catch up.

Aspiring to be equally useless. Not something to be proud of really....

[Parrott]

Melbourne Council to the rescue. A bit anyway