Iconic West Australian cycling trail wins national Award

The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation has received the national Award for Bicycle Friendly Business for their iconic tourist trail.

The trail, set be the longest of its kind anywhere the world at more than 1,000 kilometres, was recognised at the recent Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards presided over by the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Maxine McKew.

As Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the Cycling Promotion Fund explains “the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation has been able to create what is sure to become a national icon in active tourism and regional economic development by working with 32 key stakeholders including everyone from local community groups and councils, to state government departments and sporting groups.

“The result will be the longest continuous trail of its kind in the World, stretching from the Perth Hills at Mundaring, through the South West region all the way to Albany in the Great Southern Region, a distance of more than 1000 km.”

The first half of the Munda Biddi Trail, which means ‘path through the forest’ in the Nyoongar Aboriginal language, from Mundaring to Nannup (498km) is complete and increasingly recognised as a world-class, nature-based, off-road cycling experience. A Community Development Program will ensure local communities continue to participate and reap the tourism, economic and physical activity benefits as the trail is completed along its entire length.

The Bicycling Achievement Awards have been held by the Cycling Promotion Fund annually since 2002 and this year official partner the Heart Foundation joins with federal MP’s and senators from around Australia to recognise innovation, commitment and achievement in making Australia more bicycle friendly.

According to the Award’s Principal partners the Heart Foundation, physical activity, including walking and cycling, plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Other winners at the Eighth Annual Bicycling Achievement Awards were:

• Cycling Promotion Award of the Year (Professional) - Warren Salomon, Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA) Representative, Australian Bicycle Council.
• Cycling Promotion Award of the Year (Honorary) - Joint winners: Damian Maclennan - Sydney Cyclist and Paul and Di Truebridge, volunteers - Pedal Power ACT.
• Contribution to Cycling by a Politician - Rachel Nolan, Minister, Queensland Department of Transport (Honourable Mentions - Anthony Albanese, NSW and Senator Christine Milne, Tasamania).
• Award for an educational institution for innovation in encouraging cycling to school - Bowden Brompton Community School, South Australia.
• Local Government Award for Special Initiative to encourage and promote cycling - Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland (Honourable Mention - Blue Mountains City, NSW).
• Award for Contribution Towards Cycling by a Bicycle Retailer - bikerepairs.com.au, NSW
• Special Achievement Award by a Bicycle Organisation - BIKESydney, New South Wales (Honourable Mention – Brunswick Cycling Club, Victoria).

The Cycling Promotion Fund is an initiative of Bicycle industries Australia to enable the bicycle industry to work collectively to promote and encourage cycling and to work with stakeholders and governments nationally to create a more bicycle friendly Australia.

For more information go to www.cyclingawards.com.au

Images: The Munda Biddi Trail.

19th February 2009 - CYCLING CAN ‘HELP MAKE AUSTRALIA THE HEALTHIEST COUNTRY’