June EOFY News
23 June 2023 | Announcement
Welcome to the last e-news for 2023 financial year and a quick reflection on the work WeRide has done so far this year!
Even with the shorter days and colder mornings, there is still a lot going on.
You can see our e-news video in the latest video news update here or read the summary below.
The June News Video
WEBINAR – ACTIVE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN CHINA
On Wednesday the 14th June WeRide partnered with the Australian Institute of Transport Planning and Management to present the information on China in an international webinar – What can we learn from China’s active mobility infrastructure boom?
With almost 500 registrations, Sam Johnson – from the World Bank, Sara Stace – Better Streets Chair and Director Cities at WSP, and I joined Kirsty Kelly – AITPM’s CEO e to highlight key lessons learned from China’s investment in active travel and city shaping, highlighted by the 3,200 kilometres of bike lanes renovated in Beijing in just the last five years.
It was fantastic to hear from Sam, who has just returned from working in China, on the evolution of their active mobility scene. Kirsty then ensured Sara’s expertise illustrated the lessons on how we can apply that here in Australia.
Check out the recording and slides via our News post on the WeRide website.
Earlier this month Peter joined Sara Stace from WSP and Elliott Fishman from the Institute for Sensible Transport as a key note speaker at the Bendigo Climate Summit hosted by the ABC’s Natasha Mitchell.
All three speakers did a fantastic job of covering the key issues and benefits when we invest in active and sustainable transport.
It makes sense that to transition communities for a NetZero future, the choices for Australians to choose fun and healthy options like walking and cycling need to be a lot easier than they are now.
The expertise WeRide has from two decades of national advocacy means that we continue to be able to contribute to these valuable public forums and programs.
The session is worth a listen on the ABC Big Ideas podcast which is probably easiest to access on the ABC Listen App. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/transport-cities-zero-emissions-bicycles-regional-australia/102410324
It’s a great podcast, so check it out!
FEDERAL ENGAGEMENT
With Parliament moving into the winter break, Stephen led a delegation of experts to present to key bureaucrats in the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, 
the Minister’s Office and briefed MPs on the astounding progress in China towards achieving a massive transition to active mobility across all major cities there.
The WeRide delegation’s briefing to MPs and Senators was hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling Group and has resulted in a high level of interest and many follow up requests.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members and supporters.
Our members can be found on the website – at weride.org.au
WeRide has had a massive impact on making Australia a healthier, greener and better place to live, and through your support we can do more.
With the end of the financial year around the corner, WeRide is calling for fully tax deductible End of Financial Year donations to support our Schools cycling program, RideScore Active Schools.
All donations go to support the first of its kind RideScore program which we are now developing for a broader roll out after a successful trial in Queensland.
The link is on our safe routes to school webpage: weride.org.au/saferoutestoschool/
Thanks for your support.
As always, there is a lot happening, and we’ll have news on an upcoming Parliamentary Friends of Cycling event looking at accessible mobility options for those with diverse abilities.
Peter is taking a well-earned long service leave break, but WeRide’s national advocacy will continue in his absence.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us or drop us a line.
We hope you enjoyed this update as we continue our work supporting bike riders across Australia.