Bicycle Network Victoria

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xPast elections

xLocal elections Victoria 2005

Elections are an ideal time to make your voice heard by voting for cycling-friendly politicians.

Elections are an ideal time to make your voice heard by voting for cycling-friendly politicians. We are preparing for the 2006 Victorian State Government election and in November 2005 there will be 42 local councils up for election in Victoria.

We will attempt to survey candidates in several municipalities and post the results on our website to help you make an informed choice when voting. We are always looking for people to help us phone candidates for their views and welcome your help. Send us a message if you wish to be involved.

The councils up for election in Nov 2005 are:

 

Alpine S

Hepburn S

Moonee Valley C

Banyule C

Hindmarsh S

Mornington Peninsula S

Bass Coast S

Horsham RC

Mount Alexander S

Baw Baw S

Hume C

Murrindindi S

Bayside C

Indigo S

South Gippsland S

Benalla RC *

Kingston C

Strathbogie S

Brimbank C

Knox C

Swan Hill RC

Buloke S

Latrobe C

Towong S

Campaspe S

Loddon S

Wangaratta RC

Cardinia S

Macedon Ranges S

Wellington S

Casey C

Manningham C

West Wimmera S

Central Goldfields S

Mansfield S *

Whitehorse C

East Gippsland S

Maribyrnong C

Whittlesea C

Frankston C

Maroondah C

Wodonga RC

Local council elections see increased support for cycling

Dec 2004. Local councils have a big impact on cycling. They are responsible for construction and maintenance of most of Victoria's paths and roads. With Bicycle Network Victoria's Membership exceeding 40,000 and more than 1.5 million bicycle owners across the state, the cycling vote can make a critical difference in local elections.

In the lead-up to the 27 November 2004 elections in 25 councils, Bicycle Network Victoria and local cycling groups campaigned to get more cycle-friendly councillors elected (more often).

In late October 2004 we asked people across Victoria which cycling projects in their area are vital to getting more people cycling more often. There were over 2,000 responses to the survey.

Local cycling groups, with Bicycle Network Victoria's help, then surveyed candidates in Ballarat, Boroondara, Darebin, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra city councils on their support or otherwise for the highest ranked projects.

The interview process put potential candidates in touch with local cyclists. It also served to raise the profile of cycling and the benefits it can bring to local communities. It also made candidates more aware of what are the priorities for improving conditions for cycling in their area.

Most candidates supported the projects but the interview process did show some misunderstanding of issues and some resistance to improving conditions for cycling.

Bicycle Network Victoria reported the results of both surveys to our cycling friends and publicising them in the wider media.

The outcome

There was widespread and majority support for cycling amongst candidates and many pro-cycling councillors were elected.

In all councils where candidates were surveyed beforehand, a majority of elected councillors are committed to completing the vital cycling projects that will get more people cycling more often. The wide-spread support for cycling amongst councillors bodes well for the next four years.

After the huge success of the campaign, Bicycle Network Victoria, with the support of local groups and individuals, will run similar campaigns for council budget and planning cycles, in future council elections and at the 2006 state election.