Ripper says Perth cyclists suffering

OPPOSITION leader Eric Ripper says Perth cyclists are suffering on substandard cycle infrastructure while the State Government stalls on its new bicycle network plan.

After riding from State Parliament to Hutton Street last Wednesday morning, Mr Ripper said the Hutton Street, Cedric Street and Karrinyup Road freeway intersections needed urgent attention.

“I’ve just ridden from Parliament House and what I’ve seen is frustrating – too many stops and starts, too many streets to cross and the whole thing needs an upgrade.”

On his bike as part of Ride to Work Day, he told the Stirling Times the State Government should be working as hard as it can to accommodate cyclists.

“Cycling is becoming increasingly popular for commuting to work and that’s a very good development, because of health and reductions in traffic congestion,” he said.

“What we’ve got to do is make things as convenient and as fast as possible for cyclists.”

“In a survey by the RAC, 91 per cent of cyclists said they were afraid to share the roads with car drivers – they’re scared,” he said.

“We need to spend some money on cycling infrastructure and get this right.”

A Department of Transport spokesman said the new WA Bicycle Network Plan would “soon be released for public comment”.
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