NSW becoming the sloth state

20 minutes on a Sunday morning...

... now it's time for a ride

To: premier@nsw.gov.au, dp.office@tebbutt.minister.nsw.gov.au, office@sartor.minister.nsw.gov.au, office@greene.minister.nsw.gov.au, Mike.Baird@parliament.nsw.gov.au, davidson@parliament.nsw.gov.au, brad.hazzard@parliament.nsw.gov.au, pittwater@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Subject: NSW becoming the sloth state

Dear Ministers and members,

I write to you with regard to this embarrassing story in the Sydney Morning Herald today:

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/nsw-becoming-the-sloth-state-20100626-zavc.html

The story states, "NSW is racing to become the nation's laziness capital, with new figures showing only South Australians did less exercise than we did in the past year."

Whilst noting, "The fittest state or territory was the ACT..."

As you may know from previous correspondence I am a keen cyclist and campaigner for fairer mountain biking access to the bushland of Sydney. While Sydney is blessed with many National Parks, these can also be a curse due to the outdated policies surrounding their access for public enjoyment, appreciation and recreation.

Canberra on the other hand is surrounded by state forest which has a much more open attitude towards this. Canberra also has a huge purpose built mountain bike, hiking and equestrian location in Mount Stromlo Forest Park.

So while reading this article from the SMH, ask yourself which capital city has dire MTB facilities? Then which has the best?

Coincidence? Given that a recent Warringah council survey found cycling is the number three recreational pursuit (behind walking and swimming) and that the cycling promotion fund has found that 70% of bike sales are mountain bikes for off road use I think not!

Given this, I would ask that you please do all you can to provide access to the bushlands and National Parks in Sydney and surrounds for sustainable mountain bike riding and other forms of active recreation.

Regards,

Robin Rainton
Address & phone provided.

P.S. If you would like to read more about the above figures and the dire state of mountain bike riding in Sydney please see this report prepared last year in response to a request from Cardno Lawson Treloar:

http://nobmob.com/system/files/Oxford+Falls+Plan...