If you thought life would get better after the demise of __bike riding’s public enemy #1 — former NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay — then think again.
The horror movie franchise that is the NSW government’s approach to __bike riding, appears to have had a drink of fresh blood.
It looks like New Roads Minister, Melinda Pavey, rather than being understanding, engaging, and collaborative with the bike riding community, has instead chosen to slip into Duncan’s old fright mask.
Her answer to a recent parliamentary question on bike infrastructure in Sydney — the perfect opportunity to drawn a line under the hostilities generated by Duncan Gay — was yet another stiff middle finger to bike riders.
After ongoing discussions with Bicycle Network following the launch of our campaign to Bring Back College Street, MLA Alex Greenwich posed a simple, straightforward question: "What assessment has the Government made of impacts on traffic and cycling of removing of the College Street separated cycleway?” and received the following contemptuous reply: "The Review of Environmental Factors in available on the Roads and Maritime website.”
The question: "What action has the Government taken to complete the remaining CBD bike routes approved under the City Centre Access Strategy?” received an equally sneering response: "Information is available on the Roads and Maritime website”. And variations of this, many times over – with answers taking over a month to table.
You can see all of the questions and answers here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/papers/pages/qanda-tracking-details.aspx?pk=234868
What should have been treated as an opportunity for genuine explanation and elaboration, and bridge-building with a community that was alienated by the foolishness of her predecessor, was instead treated as an opportunity to belittle.
Surely new Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, would not be pleased with her Roads Minister’s display of rudeness and contempt.
From our previous interactions with the new Premier, Bicycle Network knows she fully realises the important role that bikes have in the transport task of rapidly growing Sydney.
Yet her agenda is being undermined by the very Minister that is charged with delivering it.
It’s time the Premier called Ms Pavey in for a quiet chat.
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