Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism

[The 2nd Womble]

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/p ... 1117782942" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pedal power the way to be green, fit and free
Tony Abbott
October 18, 2008 12:00AM
CYCLING is many things but it's not always convenient. A bike can't keep out the rain and won't run a ghetto-blaster. It's easier to park than a car but also likelier to be missing a wheel when you come back, if indeed it's there at all. This is undoubtedly one of the more dispiriting moments in the life of a cyclist. At such times, a cyclist's thoughts turn to revenge and London mayor Boris Johnson's call for sharia law to be introduced for bicycle theft.
But the cyclist's travails don't end there. It's hard to ride in a suit and not many offices have shower facilities. Johnson manages with aplomb but, then, London in midsummer is more akin to Sydney in winter. And where is the briefcase or change of clothes supposed to fit? British Conservative leader and bike commuter David Cameron was pilloried when he had a government car follow him to the office with his suit and papers for the day.
Undaunted, he has persisted. After all, for a pollie, it's not all downside. Apart from emphasising his youth, it has helped to show he's fair dinkum about being green. Indeed, in London, bike commuting has increased 83 per cent in the past six years, no doubt helped by the congestion charge that Johnson's predecessor levied on cars entering the city centre.
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For the past 11 years, I've been involved in the Pollie Pedal, an annual long-distance charity bike ride for MPs. On one of the early events, the number of cars required to allow a handful of politicians to promote cycling as an alternative form of transport numbered at least four: a lead car, a rear car, a support vehicle and, on the day, a police escort. These days, the police are less involved and more participants (not necessarily MPs) mean fewer support cars for each rider.
It's easy to understand Australians' love affair with their car. A car goes to your destination when you want it to. By comparison, using public transport usually means putting yourself out in some way. Australia's relatively low-density cities are unlikely to develop public transport systems to match the Paris Metro or London's Tube.
But jump on a bike and not only can you flaunt your social conscience but you set the destination and the timetable. The bike is a freedom machine for people who'd rather not pay for petrol and like being fitter than their contemporaries. The disdain motorists express for cyclists is secret envy.
Cycling is the fourth most popular physical activity for Australian adults, after walking, swimming and aerobics. More than 400,000 Australian adults cycle more than twice a week, but it's mostly for exercise rather than transport. Although bike commuting has increased by 22 per cent since 2001, less than 1 per cent of journeys are by bike. In relatively flat Melbourne, where bike commuting is up 42 per cent since 2001, there are still only 20,000 people riding regularly to work.
Turning cycling from a recreational activity into a regular form of transport will take new thinking from planners and employers. Brisbane City Council has catered for the need to store cycle gear and work clothes by installing 200 bike racks and lockers, which all were in regular use after six months.
A bigger issue is the perception of danger associated with cycling on busy roads. Cycling advocates say the risk of hospitalisation is seven times less than from playing football. To some, this is not a reassuring statistic. With a consistent 2 per cent to 3 per cent of all road deaths, cycling is much riskier each kilometre than driving. But keeping fit through cycling makes it an overall benefit to health. A long-term Danish study showed that cycling to work (for three hours a week on average) reduced all-cause mortality by 40 per cent.
What's really needed is better bike infrastructure. Many councils mark bike lanes on suitable roads. It should be a planning requirement that all new main roads have enough width to create a shoulder for bikes. This makes more sense than separate bike tracks, which often have worse gradients.
Tony Abbot.

[brett.hooker]

Great to see...
It is well known that he is a fitness fan and what could be better than a potential future PM who is on the record as pro cycling!

[The 2nd Womble]

Just noticed its from '08 Maybe its time to hold Tony Abbot to account again. Love him or hate him, he will most likely be our next PM.

[ldrcycles]

This makes more sense than separate bike tracks, which often have worse gradients.
Tony Abbot.

My thoughts exactly.

[rkelsen]

I'd love to see him come out and say all of this stuff in the mainstream media before the next election, but he won't.

It'd cost too much of the redneck vote, especially now that they have Clive Palmer to vote for. Look at the numbers Pauline Hanson managed to get in 1998... If she didn't give preferences to the L-NP, they wouldn't have been able to form a government in that year.

[Ken Ho]

The Iron Abbs has bigger fish to fry this year.
As much as a I want to see recognition for bikes etc, a national leader can't afford to get bogged down on single issues like this. This is more suited to be driven by a backbencher like Fleggy has done recently.
I am happy for Bbs to keep his eye on the big issues and win the main prize.

[g-boaf]

Just noticed its from '08 Maybe its time to hold Tony Abbot to account again. Love him or hate him, he will most likely be our next PM.

If I see him - I'll ask about his thoughts on it. He's sometimes around the area where I work.

Presumably they'll take power and have the ability to make these things happen. So he might be a good one to talk to.

I'd love to see him come out and say all of this stuff in the mainstream media before the next election, but he won't.

It'd cost too much of the redneck vote, especially now that they have Clive Palmer to vote for. Look at the numbers Pauline Hanson managed to get in 1998... If she didn't give preferences to the L-NP, they wouldn't have been able to form a government in that year.

Personally, I don't think Palmer has much of a chance. Too many quirky plans and ideas... Titanic Mk.II, green groups supported by CIA, etc.

Great to see...
It is well known that he is a fitness fan and what could be better than a potential future PM who is on the record as pro cycling!

His strategists might suggest that he tones down his cycling, or stops altogether as this is unpopular with elements of the public and the mainstream media (who don't like cycling or cyclists).

[Ross]

[The 2nd Womble]

Bet he forgot all about that after ten minutes.

[mikesbytes]

[mod]Discussing politics is not permitted, check the forum rules. Please keep within the rules with your communications[/mod]

[The 2nd Womble]

Yes we were discussing politics because the thread was of politicians discussing cycling. You want to ban half the advocacy sub forum while you're waving the stick around? Maybe the Qld petition thread? Is it for the purpose of forcing politicians to engage with cyclists after all.
If it degenerates into a biggest brain free for all sure, lock it, but the intrusion and the strict application of any current rule is a tad rediculous. Advocacy requires political accountability. It's that simple.

[The 2nd Womble]

3...2...1...

[mikesbytes]

Yes we were discussing politics because the thread was of politicians discussing cycling. You want to ban half the advocacy sub forum while you're waving the stick around? Maybe the Qld petition thread? Is it for the purpose of forcing politicians to engage with cyclists after all.
If it degenerates into a biggest brain free for all sure, lock it, but the intrusion and the strict application of any current rule is a tad rediculous. Advocacy requires political accountability. It's that simple.

Haven't banned the thread, have communicated on the request of a report

3...2...1...

OK jokes aside, if everyone is nice then no one will report the thread and everyone can communicate to the cows come home

[Ross]

Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/br ... 6662984008" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rkelsen]

Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.

Seriously? Who does this stuff? Are people that desperate for friends?

I'd pay him that much to keep away from me. And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.

[Mulger bill]

And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.

Aaaaaamen!

[gpz1100]

[quote][/I'd pay him that much to keep away from me. And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.quote]

Haha funny as ,that just cracked me up when I read it

[mikesbytes]

Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/br ... 6662984008" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I rode with him, I dropped him. Didn't know who he was at the time

[foo on patrol]

Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.

Seriously? Who does this stuff? Are people that desperate for friends?

I'd pay him that much to keep away from me. And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.

Why would you say that? You can't or shouldn't be adopting that line of thought just because they are a Pollie, because the only way we are going to get reform and infrastructure is through working with them. Doesn't mean to say you have to change your feelings about them just branch off and inject some thoughts and how things can be made better for, the cycling community.

PS (I think he is a bit of a goose but I respect him for his approach to cycling and raising support for charities and trying to get people to become fitter and for this reason I would work with him, as opposed to against. )

Foo

[brandy234]

Probably the best couple of paragraphs to come out of Tony Abbott in his life. About the only thing I agree with him on.

When the inevitable happens and he finds time between repealing taxes and destroying refugee dreams, I hope he does something to improve the lift of the road cyclist.

[lobstermash]

Being a public servant, I can see the value in going for a bike ride with any pollie who has the power to create change. Politicians are people, in spite of being wired differently to most of us. They're constantly looking for ways to inject their passions and beliefs into policy. They are also compulsive problem solvers. Present a problem with something they're passionate about, show that fixing it is going to be neutral/positive to the general public, and it's fairly likely they'll get some wheels in motion, perhaps a whole department, to work on a solution.

Hopefully someone who can use the one-on-one time for good, not evil, wins the auction.

[gpz1100]

[*]Being a public servant, I can see the value in going for a bike ride with any pollie who has the power to create change. Politicians are people, in spite of being wired differently to most of us. They're constantly looking for ways to inject their passions and beliefs into policy. They are also compulsive problem solvers. Present a problem with something they're passionate about, show that fixing it is going to be neutral/positive to the general public, and it's fairly likely they'll get some wheels in motion, perhaps a whole department, to work on a solution.[*]

Sounds like a bit of ass kiss'en there.

In saying that i like abbott,he comes across well and i like the fact he is a cyclist and health nut.i wonder if he had to give up politics or cycling/fitness which won would he choose.

[rkelsen]

Why would you say that?

Politicians are not people of integrity. Just look at all the garbage that happened this week.

You can't or shouldn't be adopting that line of thought just because they are a Pollie, because the only way we are going to get reform and infrastructure is through working with them.

There are two distinct ways to get action from politicians in this country:

1. Have money.

2. Join a union.

If you weren't born into money and can't/won't join a union, then you have no hope unfortunately.

But, hey, don't stop believin'...

[gpz1100]

Lets not forget the media and what scum bags they are.they ultimately decide who runs this country.

[trailgumby]

Lets not forget the media and what scum bags they are.they ultimately decide who runs this country.

Actually, it comes down to one person, who is not even a citizen of this country.

Of course, he isn't so crude as to dictate what people write.

He just hires journalists, editors and executives he knows will write what he wants. And they know he only hires those who write stuff that reflects his political views, and he knows they know that so from his perspective, it's all good. And if your views start to develop in ways that diverge fro m his, you get moved sideways. When he says "I don't tell my journalists what to write" he is telling the truth ... he doesn't need to.

Andrew Neill's biography of his time heading up News' UK operations is instructive.