On Monday 5 May a new Inner West Bike Map was launched to encourage people to cycle more for transport and for fun. "We want to encourage people to use their bike to get to know Sydney’s Inner West" said Mr Bruce Ashley, manager of the Hawthorne Canal Active Transport (HCAT) project.

The map provides information on the most useful routes for people to cycle from Rozelle and Drummonye in the north through to Canterbury and Sydenham in the south. "The Inner West is an ideal region for cycling to work, to TAFE, to the swimming pool or to the shops" said Mr Ashley. "There are already many quiet back streets and green spaces which make ideal cycling routes and we hope this map will help people find their way around their local area more easily".

The Inner West Bike Map is an initiative of the Hawthorne Canal Active Transport (HCAT) project which is working over two years in the region to "research, implement and evaluate innovative measures aimed at promoting and facilitating increased cycling trips in the Hawthorne Canal corridor". The HCAT project staff are working with local organisations (or "trip generators" such as Councils, community centres, schools and swimming pools) to take simple and affordable steps to encourage people to cycle. Other actions undertaken as part of the project include running bicycle maintenance classes and cycling training courses and a developing a buddy system for new cyclists.

The Hawthorne Canal Active Transport (HCAT) project is supported by four local Councils ( Leichhardt, Marrickville, Ashfield and Canterbury, Marrickville and South Sydney Bicycle User Group (MASSBUG), Leichhardt Bicycle User Group (LBUG) and funded by the NSW Government's Environmental Trust.