MEDIA RELEASE for UN World Bicycle Day
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
The leaders of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling have joined in front of Parliament House to celebrate the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day.
The group, jointly chaired by the Member for Swan, Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member for Fisher, the Hon. Andrew Wallace and Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, is an initiative of We Ride Australia and has vastly improved the bicycle sector’s ability to reach decision makers in federal Parliament on key issues of concern for bike riders across Australia.
The group’s next major event in Parliament House will be held on Tuesday, 18 August to promote and celebrate the opportunities that investment in active transport infrastructure provides to all Australians.
The event has taken on further significance after last month’s federal Government announcement of a major multi-year $500 million Active Transport Fund which will invest $90.2 million in just the first year to build infrastructure across the country.
Keynote speakers at the event are the Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Rosanna Natoli and CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, Dr Jonathan Spear, who will speak on the economic and social benefits of investment in walking and cycling for communities across Australia.
Federal MP quotes for UN World Bicycle Day
The member for Swan WA, Zaneta Mascarenhas MP
- ‘’Riding a bike is one of the simplest pleasures. It brings freedom, connects people to their communities, and makes everyday travel healthier, cheaper, and more sustainable.”
- “The Albanese Government’s Active Transport Fund is backing local communities to build the footpaths, cycleways and safe connections that make it easier for more people to choose cycling for everyday travel.”
The Member for Fisher, the Hon. Andrew Wallace MP
- “Cycling is one of the simplest and most accessible ways Australians can improve their physical health, support their mental wellbeing and stay connected with their community.
- “As Co-Convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling, I’m proud to support initiatives that encourage more people to get active, whether that’s riding to work, exercising with friends and family, or simply enjoying the outdoors.”
- “World Bicycle Day is a great reminder that getting on a bike is not only good for our health, it’s good for our communities, our environment and our quality of life. I encourage Australians of all ages to get moving and discover the benefits that cycling can bring.”
The Member for Indi VIC, Dr Helen Haines MP
- Investing in cycling means investing in healthier people and more connected, liveable communities.
- My electorate of Indi welcomes thousands of visitors each year who take to two wheels to explore the trails traversing our wine regions, mountains and plains – supporting local tourism and regional economies along the way.
- This Parliamentary Friends group is about ensuring those benefits remain front of mind in national decision-making and are translated into real investment, such as the $500 million Active Transport Fund announced in the federal Budget. It will invest $90.2 million in its first year to deliver infrastructure like safe pathways for kids to ride to school, across the country – a significant step forward.
Additional events are being planned that include a possible all-parties Parliamentary briefing on the guidelines for the $500 million Active Transport Fund.
We Ride Australia (‘WeRide’) organises the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling. The 2025-2028 48th session of Parliament is now the third Parliament to have a Friends of Cycling group since it was first established by WeRide.
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Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
Stephen Hodge, stephen@weride.org.au, mobile 0411 149 910
Media photos of the 3 Chairs are available
- We Ride Australia is the national independent voice for cycling, working to secure the policies, infrastructure and programs that ensure the environmental benefits of cycling contributes to healthy, safe and enjoyable communities throughout Australia.
- World Bicycle Day recognizes the “the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.
