The national independent voice for cycling, We Ride Australia, applauds the Australian Government’s Budget announcement tonight of a $500 million investment over 10 years to build walking and riding infrastructure across the nation.

This milestone funding will build the paths and bikeways for kids to ride to school, families to get around their community safely and people who’d like to save some money and get exercise while commuting to work.

“This announcement reflects the strong demand we are seeing from communities across Australia who want to provide more options to move around our increasingly congested cities and towns, while also helping to build a healthier population,” said WeRide Executive Officer Peter Bourke.

“The new funding builds on the success of Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King’s highly successful Active Transport Fund.

“WeRide congratulates Minister King and the Government on this investment and their ongoing commitment to the future of local communities.”

This half billion-dollar investment follows a sustained national effort by We Ride Australia, in collaboration with the active transport sector, to establish the economic, transport and health benefits of cycling.

WeRide also recognises the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling group, Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, the Hon Andrew Wallace MP and Dr Helen Haines MP, who contributed to this outstanding outcome.

WeRide looks forward to working with the Minister, her department and Local Governments across Australia to deliver these transformational projects.

The announcement of a national active transport fund comes as a result of WeRide’s strategic and sustained federal advocacy, including:

  • Investing in a dedicated federal Parliamentary cycling advocate since 2009
  • 2026 Pre-Budget Submission demanding a re-establishment of the $400 million Active Transport Fund
  • Direct advocacy for investment to key Minsters including Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and Minister Catherine King
  • Founding and organising the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling group since 2020 to take cycling inside the halls of Parliament
  • A national campaign in 2025-26 to show support from Mayors, Councillors and regional Members of Parliament to Minister King for ongoing infrastructure investment
  • 2021 and 2023 Australian Cycling Economy Reports revealed the $16.8bn impact of cycling on the Australian economy (tourism, health, environmental and transport benefits).