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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Gerard Cockburn

MPs rally on economic good of cycling

ACT Labor MP and biking mega fan Andrew Leigh is a proud supporter of the We Ride Australia campaign. Picture: Graham Tidy

No lobby group wheels as much power than lycra-loving We Ride, which is hell bent on bipartisan support to peddle its economy mending agenda to get more Australians on bikes.

A new report from the We Ride Australia in conjunction with Ernst and Young has found $3.4 billion was added in direct value to gross domestic product from cycling.

Avid cyclists from across the political divide joined forces on Wednesday in Parliament House's Mural Hall, about the economic importance cycling will play in both cities and regions.

We Ride director Stephen Hodge said the report shows the substantial importance of cycling to the economy, which underpins 34,295direct jobs.

"Giving context to the impact of the sector, the $3.4 billion of direct value add to our GDP is more than three times the Australian motor sport industry and level with the Australian thoroughbred racing industry," Mr Hodge said.

Launch of We Ride findings on economic benefit of cycling to Australia by co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling Andrew Leigh, Dave Sharma, Helen Haines with We Ride spokesperson Stephen Hodge. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

"The full economic value of the sector is even greater when we include the economic benefits of improved health, environmental benefits or the positive impact on traffic congestion from more people riding."

The Canberra Times asked ACT Labor MP and biking mega fan Andrew Leigh about if the economic contribution from cycling could help pay back some of the JobKeeper funds which were given to firms which experienced profit increases.

"The question is to how many times Australians would have to ride around the planet to repay the $20 billion that Josh Frydenberg gave defends with rising revenue," Dr Leigh said.

"$2000 per household, which is what they gave to firms with rising revenue would buy the typical household brand new bikes."

Independent MP Helen Haines also commented there is more movement in cycling for the economy than a commitment by the Morrison Government to a federal integrity commission.

"There's plenty of movement for a federal integrity commission coming from the crossbench," Dr Haines said.

"We've seen no legislation from the government, some in the government probably need do a bit more riding and cycling. On this issue, I think they will and truly need to get on their bike."

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