Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your questions.
My answers are as follows: 

Q1.
I believe this should be the prime objective of council at the moment. I 
feel many of the proposals being put forward in council are unsustainable 
ie. highrises. If such projects are to be contemplated seriously, Council 
will have to address issues such as lack of parkland, heavy motorised 
traffic through neighbourhood streets and the ensuing noise and air 
pollution. 


Q2.
I have personally found motorised traffic through the majority of South Ward 
streets excessive. This environment does not encourage parents confidence in 
allowing their children access to play and cycle in neighbourhood areas, 
which in turn plays a role in the inactivity of many children (leading to 
obesity). Cycle paths are almost none existent in most parts of Ashfield. 
Council should make provisions for demarkations in certain allocated 
streets. Council should also look at ways of slowing motorised traffic 
through neighbourhood streets. I will elaborate on this point in a later 
question.
Council has shown little acknowlegment for bicycle safety and amenity to 
encourage bicycle use. Neither have they supported bike-friendly commercial, 
civic and retail areas despite the fact that Ashfield is an excellent 
intermodal transfer point.
If elected I will support ASHBUG's proposal for the establishment of an 

Ashfield Bicycle consultative committee. 


Q3.
At the present moment I would be rather skeptical to allow any child cyclist 
under the age of 12 onto your average Ashfield street. I am a regular 
cyclist thru Ashfield myself averaging about 20kms per week. I often find 
myself unfortunately riding on the footpath, mainly because I feel it is too 
unsafe on the road.
I believe as residents we should put a strong emphasis on discouraging the 
RTA and Council from encouraging highway traffic onto residential streets. 
For example, traffic from Milton Street, Georges River Road and Liverpool 
Road traffic should NOT be encouraged (and actively discouraged) through any 
neighbourhood streets. More so, if elected, I plan to push for cycle 
friendly 'traffic calming' initiatives in streets that are already affected 
by medium to heavy vehicular traffic. This may not necessarily mean 
speed-humps. I was thinking more along the lines of: 

a. evenly spaced out pedestrian islands especially at both ends of the 
street - to force entering vehicles to slow down 

b. reducing speeds to 40kmph 

c. provision of clearly marked cycle paths 

d. enhancement of tree planting/maintenance which may provide a visual 
disincentive for speeding. 

e. Modify the blister treatment on speed humps and road narrowings so that 
it does not interfere with dedicated cycle paths. 

f. clear signage to indicate all of the above 

Of course all this will be done in consultation with the Council Town 
Planners. 

Q4.
I do not know how much of Ashfield Council's annual budget is allocated for 
bicycling facilities. However taking into account Dr Gabrielle Kuiper's 
recent assertion that Ashfield has "a complete absence of facilities", I 
would safely say this percentage is very very low. In that case I would push 
for a much higher allocation of funds for this purpose.
I am unaware of what portion the Federal government allocates directly to 
bicycling facilities. 

Q5.
Probably disatisfaction with the heavy traffic on our roads? A heightened 
awareness of ones health? Probably also a shift in the social demographic of 
the area - this generation is more keen to find better alternatives to 
everything, including commuting. Reliance on a car is rather tiresome. There 
is also a stronger awareness of the affects of Greenhouse gas emissions etc.
I often commute from Ashfield to Sydney University (approx. 8.5-9kms one 
way). Even comtemplating MacQ uni during winter. I find the experience 
enjoyable, especially when following routes provided for in the new "Inner 
West Bike Map". I also bike my 3 year old to Kindergarten several days a 
week. I often find my ride to be faster and more satisfying than driving a 
car. 

Q6.
1. Firstly highlight the positives of including cycling amenities to the 
area.
2. Highlight the negatives of not having cycling amenities to the area.
3. Encourage people to take a more active role in examining Ashfield and try 
to show how central this suburb is with regards to the InnerWest and the 
city.
4. Push council to provide amenities ie. cycle paths, parking facilities.
5. all my points from Q1-5. 

Q7.
Will I support the following?
Review of the Ashfield Bicycle Plan - ABSOLUTELY
Adequate resourcing for the development of a new, updated plan - ABSOLUTELY
Resourcing fo an effective implementation of the new plan - ABSOLUTELY 


Yours sincerely
Dr Marc Rerceretnam
1/195 Norton St
Ashfield
0409-659095