Victorian volunteer wins top national cycling award

Victorian volunteer wins top national award

Rarely has one person been such a big part of so many major developments in bicycling in the state, but today Frank Kinnersly’s dedicated work over 35 years was recognised with the major Bicycling Achievement of the Year Award.

Also receiving an Award for Achievement by a Bicycle Organisation was BikeSafe Surf Coast, a local response to improve cycling safety in the Geelong region. Both have been recognised for the substantial impact they have had on cycling in their respective areas.

http://www.cyclingawards.com.au/files/webform/10th-Annual-Awards-Booklet-web.pdf

Bicycling Achievement Award of the Year – Volunteer—Frank Kinnersley, VIC

• Frank started advocating for cycling in Geelong 35 years ago and was the founding President of Geelong Touring Cyclists.
• He has been a Bike Ed instructor, contributed to local government and state bicycle plans and has been instrumental in achieving better outcomes for cyclists when major transport projects impact on cycle commuter routes.
• Recognised by cycling organisations and jurisdictions across the state, currently fulfils a role with Rail Trails Australia in addition to continuing his many volunteer activities.

Bicycling Achievement Award of the Year – Volunteer (Honourable Mention) -Liam Correy, TAS

• As Chair of Tasmanian Bicycle Council, developed ‘Why Ride’ campaign which has resulted in high profile positive messaging being carried on buses and across radio in Hobart and other centres in Tasmania. Formed Healthy Transport Hobart to advocate for safer walking and cycling environments.

Bicycling Achievement Award for a Bicycle Organisation—BikeSafe VIC

• Volunteer group formed as a local response to rising antagonism towards cyclists and a disproportionate number of deaths on the roads of Surf Coast-Geelong-Bellarine.
• Aims are to improve infrastructure and behaviour by motorists and cyclists alike. Achievements range from the formation of the Bicycle Infrastructure Group to a regional cycle awareness program of road signs and a priority list of hazardous roads in the area.

National Survey Launched

The awards ceremony followed the launch of a national survey conducted by the Heart Foundation and Cycling Promotion Fund that found more than 90% of parents support their child riding a bicycle for fun, fitness and social reasons, but only 1 in 10 let their child ride to school.

The survey of more than 1,000 parents across Australia also found:

• Nearly two-thirds of parents said they would let their children ride to school if there were safe routes
• 8 in 10 nominated too much traffic and a lack of safe routes as key barriers to kids being allowed to ride to school
• Parents surveyed agreed that ‘cycling is a good way to get fit’
• 1 in 2 parents support formal cycle education programs
• Almost 60% of parents drive their children to school
• 1 in 2 live less than 10 minutes from school, a distance which could easily by cycled or walked by children.

‘Cycling is clearly something that children are able to do and parents want to encourage, but they’re being let down by a lack of safe cycle paths,’ said Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.

‘We’re missing a huge opportunity to tackle childhood obesity, reduce carbon emissions and ease congestion on the roads.

‘We urge all levels of Government to invest to ensure the next generation is able to adopt healthy and active options for their daily trip to school‘, Dr Roberts said.

The data released today reinforces the importance of the achievements by Mr Kinnersley and BikeSafe who are working tirelessly to make Victoria a better place for riding a bike.

Recipients were recognised at a ceremony in Canberra attended by federal Parliamentarians and representatives from national organisations and peak bodies in health, transport and the bicycle industry.

The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards recognise achievements nationally in programs and initiatives that are encouraging all Australians to ride their bikes and are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.