The tragic death of mother Arzu Baglar while cycling in Yarraville earlier this year has spurred Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten to promise to improve cycling infrastructure in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Mr Shorten last week announced his support for a velodrome and cycling education hub to be built in the area, vowing it would be a matter of “when” not “if”.
“The more we can encourage people to ride, there’s health benefits, productivity benefits, community liveability benefits,” he said. “I want us to have our share of resources in this part of the city – the west hasn’t had its fair share.”
Mr Shorten said cycling infrastructure would be part of the Labor party’s platform at the next federal election.
He said the tragic death of Ms Baglar, who collided with a truck while cycling past Yarraville Gardens, touched his family directly as his daughter and her daughter were close friends.
“We had to explain to our daughter that Arzu was no longer alive and her friend was going to do it very hard,” he said.
“We can do better. I am determined to clear the space in the federal budget so that we look after the west, we look after cycling infrastructure across the country.”
Mr Shorten said the proposed velodrome and cycling education hub may or may not be suitable for Hansen Reserve in West Footscray, but are clearly needed somewhere in the west.
Project advocate John Symons said there was a massive gap in infrastructure in the west.
“We did a bit of research and found one out of three kids today don’t know how to ride a bike. From that we realised there has to be an education centre for all ages, all abilities, to get more people on bikes.”
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said infrastructure shortages are one of the frustrations of being a cyclist in Melbourne’s west.
“We need to make cycling and active transport part of our everyday lives.”
Maribyrnong mayor Catherine Cumming said she would welcome federal funding for cycling and would like to see it spent on cycling education and infrastructure improvements.
