THE Australian Cyclists Party is under no illusion it won’t win the seat of Goulburn in the upcoming state election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But it’s entering the race regardless, hoping its policies will focus attention on the sport, the wider benefits and needs.
The party (ACP) is beating the drum for the growing ‘lycra set’ and has sitting MP Pru Goward in its sights.
The group, which says it is not a single issue organisation, is targeting the Upper House and seven lower house seats, including Goulburn held by Planning Minister, Ms Goward.
President and founder Omar Khalifa said the choices were quite deliberate. The party’s thrust is health, planning and transport.
“The selection of seats was made on the basis of cycling support and the focus on the districts of key ministers who have so far failed to adequately support and promote cycling as part of their responsibilities,” he said in a statement.
“Cycling can no longer be seen in isolation or as a car versus bicycle debate; we need to see cycling in its greater context as a solution to several difficult challenges we face, not only within NSW but across the nation.”
He told the Post that Goulburn was highly active in cycling and had been for more than 100 years. In addition, its location was at the crossroads of important links to the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands.
“We believe it represents a real opportunity to push regional issues associated with cycling,” he said.
The party is promoting much more than the cycling community’s immediate needs.
Mr Khalifa said obesity, diabetes and related heart disease were now recognised as the nation’s leading health problems. Inactivity especially among the young was viewed as a lead cause.
“Meanwhile, roads are consuming more and more time and financial resources than we can reasonably afford and our governments continue to pay scant attention to proper planning and active transport options. The results are traffic congestion and poor economic, health, and quality of life outcomes,” he said.
Candidates have not been finalised. Mr Khalifa said no one had been identified but he’d be speaking to potential nominees in this area in coming weeks.
The party is contesting the election for the first time and hopes to secure at least one Upper House seat.
The Goulburn tilt is likely to gain some traction with a burgeoning cycling culture and moves to reopen the old rail line to Crookwell for cyclists, walkers and others.
Local cyclists have also been pushing for greater recognition on the road and improved facilities.
Goulburn Cycling Club president Adam Lambert said he was all for better infrastructure but worried when the sport mixed with politics.
“If we get involved too much, it risks offending the wider public,” he said.
“We are one sport of many. I think spending the time talking to the people that matter (about our needs) rather than getting into parliament is a better way.”
Mr Lambert said cycling gained a great deal of media exposure and had become almost a case of “us and them,” or cyclists versus motorists.
Instead, he said everyone had to recognise that people did both and there were good and bad riders and drivers.
If the ACP finds a candidate, they will join another minor party candidate in the Outdoor Recreation Party’s Wal Ashton