Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority Wins National Award

The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards recently recognised the Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority (SFRTA) with the Bicycling Achievement Award for Local Government at a ceremony held at Canberra.

SA Tourism Program Wins National Award

The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards recently (Wednesday, 1st June 2011) recognised the Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority (SFRTA) with the Bicycling Achievement Awardfor Local Government.

The SFRTA, an alliance of local Councils, Regional Development Australia, tourism and business organisations in the Southern Flinders Ranges received the Award in recognition of the success they have had in developing new, sustainable tourism businesses based on cycling.

Working in an environmentally sensitive area, the Southern Flinders Ranges Cycle Tourism Master Plan has boosted business opportunities, brought significant numbers of new visitors to the area and had a flow on impact with more local people taking up cycling.

Tourism Development Officer, Stephen Schwer, says that from a small start in Melrose 10 years ago, the entire region has recognised the opportunities available to them. “Once our local Councils started to see the benefits that being cycle friendly brought to their towns, we started to get some serious interest in the economic opportunities. “With some new infrastructure and increasing awareness around cycling, there has also been a noticeable increase in the locals who are riding, especially the children who are using the rail trail as a safe way to get to school.”

“All of this has only been possible because all the Councils have been working together to make it happen, and with new businesses starting up to cater to tourists, we also see this as something that is contributing to stop the regional decline,” said Stephen Schwer. The national award presentation to the Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority followed the launch of a national survey conducted by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cycling Promotion Fund, ‘Riding a Bike for Transport – 2011 Survey’. It found more than 62% of Australians want to be able to ride a bike for transport, but road safety fears are keeping bikes in the shed and off the road.

“The data released today should provide critical support to investments in bicycle infrastructure, as governments move to establish active travel networks to relieve the looming crisis in urban congestion and address many of the related issues facing Australians such as physical inactivity, obesity and quality of life issues in our regions and cities,” said Mr Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the CPF. “Our national survey found the main reasons why people were not riding bikes were unsafe road conditions; the speed or volume of traffic; they don’t feel safe riding and a lack of bicycle lanes and trails.

Photo:  Mr Bernie Ripoll MP, Federal Member for Oxley, presents the award to Stephen Schwer, accepting on behalf of the SFRTA.

Media Contact:

Stephen Schwer
Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority
Ph. 0428 890 340
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Released by:

Stephen Schwer
Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority

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