Dear Subscriber,

Welcome to the PCAL monthly bulletin.

This bulletin reports up-to-date news and research of interest to people who want to promote active living choices in NSW. Previous Bulletins are archived on the PCAL website.

PCAL does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes or services that may be displayed through bulletin hyperlinks.

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally MP released the new NSW BikePlan on 16 May. The NSW BikePlan has been prepared as a whole-of-government project overseen by PCAL. The plan details the wide range of projects and programs designed to achieve NSW Government targets for cycling growth, including the allocation of $158 million for major cycleway projects in Sydney as recently announced in the Metropolitan Transport Plan. Have your say on the BikePlan at www.nsw.gov.au/shapeyourstate.

The Federal Government has released its response to the Independent Sport Panel’s report, The Future of Sport in Australia. Initiatives have been announced to boost elite sports funding as well as community participation.

The Federal Government has released its response to Australia: the Healthiest Country by 2020 report prepared by the National Preventative Health Task Force.

A series of case studies documenting US Public Health Departments efforts to create healthy built environments has recently been released. Case studies from rural, suburban and urban regions are provided.

A US research group has prepared a list of specific recommendations for incorporating public health considerations within transportation planning. Meanwhile, the US Transportation Secretary has announced that Federal transportation policies will no longer favour 'motorised transport' over walking and cyclng.

Victoria Walks has invited Victorian local councils to provide information on some of their activities, progams and strategies that support more walkable communities. The results include some excellent local council initiatives while a new workplace walking page is full of great ideas for all workplaces.

NSW PANORG have released an evidence Module synthesising findings and recommendations from recent reports  relevant to work place health promotion programs.

A recent Victorian analysis has found that people who used public transport spent an average forty one minutes walking and/or cycling as part of their travel as opposed to private transport commuters (cars, taxis etc with no public transport use) who averaged only eight minutes of walking or cycling for transport.