Heart Foundation supports Wollongong City Council’s draft 10-year cycling strategy

Last night (29 June 2020), Wollongong City Council voted to release for public consultation a draft 10-year strategy for making cycling its community’s preferred transport option. 

The “Draft Cycling Strategy 2030” seeks to provide an additional 50 kilometres of on-road cycling routes and 35 kilometres of off-road routes. This would expand the area’s present shared path and cycling network from 150 kilometres to almost 215 kilometres. 

The plan aims to double the region’s cycling participation by 2030. It includes targets for higher numbers of cycling trips to work; lower numbers of cycling-related crashes; and increased female participation in cycling. 
Council considered 350 stakeholder submissions in the development of the draft strategy. It will now be open for public comment over the next 42 days, after which Council will seek to adopt a final strategy. 

Comment by Andy Mark, the Heart Foundation’s Senior Coordinator Heart Health (regional NSW), and an Illawarra local 

“The Heart Foundation congratulates Wollongong City Council for its visionary, long-term and strategic approach to boosting cycling participation in this region. 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of people across the Wollongong region have discovered or even rediscovered the joys of simple forms of exercise such as cycling and walking. Like Council, the Heart Foundation is keen to keep this momentum going – and this strategy is a great way to set up our community for a more active, heart-healthy future. 

“As noted in Council’s draft strategy, regular cycling can deliver significant health benefits. This includes reducing the risk of heart disease, which continues to be the single leading cause of death in Australia, claiming 48 lives every single day. 

“Regular physical activity can also protect you from other serious conditions, like stroke, diabetes, some cancers and depression. If it were a medicine, we’d all be taking it every day to ward off chronic health conditions and help us live longer. 

“Around 65% of people in the Illawarra region are not physically active enough for good health. Boosting the opportunities and facilities for cycling will go a long way towards making us not only a more active community, but healthier and happier. 

“The long-term approach to this strategy will support people in the Illawarra to use cycling for activity and travel for many years to come.  

“The Heart Foundation encourages Wollongong residents to have their say on the draft plan and to support Council in its efforts to make Wollongong ‘the place to ride’.” 

Media enquiries 

Siobhan McMahon, Media Manager, Physical Activity M: 0478 313 656 E: Siobhan.mcmahon@heartfoundation.org.au