Dr ANDREW McDONALD (Macquarie Fields—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.34 p.m.]: As all members of Parliament know, bicycling is extremely good for your health. Studies in Holland have shown that 30 minutes of bicycling per day adds years to your life. That is why on Sunday 27 September 2009—a big day in western Sydney with the Cabramatta Moon Festival—I was pleased to join about 250 other riders at Ash Road Sporting Complex at Prestons, in my electorate, to join the Liverpool leg of the 2009 Spring Cycle. I have spoken previously of the Spring Cycle. I am very pleased that Bicycle New South Wales has chosen to start two legs of the ride in Western Sydney—one at Liverpool and one at Blacktown, with both converging to meet the North Sydney leg at Olympic Park. This year 10,841 riders rode, up from 8,500 in 2008. About 900 came from the western legs, a number I know will increase when others learn that we get the tailwinds!

I was accompanied by Jenny Burn, the Chair of the Board of Bicycle New South Wales, and her partner, Phillip Goldstein. Jenny and the board of Bicycle New South Wales have taken up the challenge of improving the health of western Sydney by advocating to increase bicycle use in western Sydney. Jenny's personal commitment was shown by choosing to go to Liverpool to start the day. The new headquarters of Bicycle New South Wales at Olympic Park were recently opened by the Hon. Kristina Keneally. I mention also the vision, advocacy and leadership of Alex Unwin, the Chief Executive Officer of Bicycle New South Wales, who is an inspiration to everyone in the cycling community with his persistence, calm and good sense.

The riders at Liverpool on the day came from all walks of life, with a wide range of experience. Many health workers were present. For example, Geesha McGuire, one of our local midwives, whom I have spoken about before in this place, rode with her son. Professor Bruce Hall, who looks dazzling in lycra, rode with his wife, Dr Suzanne Hodgkinson. Dr Shaun Richards, one of Sydney's leading dermatologists, also rode from Liverpool. He was wise enough to know a tailwind when he saw one! Many of the leaders of our local bicycle user group, LiveBUG, are health workers. They also must have known that the day was going to be windy and that the western Sydney legs had the tailwind.

I pay special tribute to the volunteers, especially those from the Oncology Children's Foundation. They were wonderful, encouraging, friendly and great fun. Without the volunteers there could be no spring cycle. This year a new route from Liverpool diverts from the M7 bike track into the western Sydney parklands. The track passed through the Fairfield City Farm, through Fairfield and then on to the magnificent new track around Prospect Reservoir. There was also a very welcome coffee break at Central Gardens, Merrylands. The great advantage for all who participated in the ride was the opportunity to explore the magnificent new bicycle infrastructure that is being built in western Sydney. Most of the 50 kilometres that we rode on the day were completely off-road.

I encourage all members of Parliament to get behind the push to have more and improved bicycle facilities in their electorate. The M7 bicycle path and the Prospect Reservoir route, both of which will provide health benefits to western Sydney residents for generations, are perfect illustrations of forward thinking and vision. Former Minister for Roads Carl Scully deserves special mention for those achievements. I acknowledge also other members of Parliament who cycle, especially the Hon. Kristina Keneally, the Hon. Verity Firth, the member for Kiama, Matt Brown, who rode the Spring Cycle with his son, Julie Owens, Tony Abbott and the member for Sydney, Clover Moore, all of whom are known for their commitment to cycling.

I very much look forward to being a part of the Staysafe committee as it examines bicycle safety in a future inquiry. Perceived danger is still a powerful disincentive for many people who wish to return to cycling. I understand that the latest version of the State Bike Plan is to come to Cabinet, the next stage being an update to the Bike Plan 2010, which financed much of the work in western Sydney. The Spring Cycle is an established part of our city's annual calendar. I pay tribute to the sponsors, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the City of Sydney, the Oncology Children's Foundation, Westlink M7 and Sydney Olympic Park. It was a great way to start Bike Week. I commend Bicycle New South Wales and the 10,841 cyclists who rode in the 2009 Spring Cycle.