Federal Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese received an award at today’s Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards for his work on the $40 million National Bike Paths Fund.

The awards are organised by the Cycling Promotion Fund in partnership with the National Heart Foundation. Mr Albanese was recognised in the Contribution to Cycling by a Politician category.

The National Bike Paths Fund is part of the Rudd Labor Government’s Economic Stimulus Package and is supporting 170 projects and more than 1900 jobs across the country.

Marrickville Council received $200,000 from the Fund to help reconstruct and widen the Cooks River Cycleway while Sydney City Council received $1.79 million to build more than three kilometres of bike paths in the inner city area.

Mr Albanese said improved cycling infrastructure will encourage more people to take up cycling and ultimately take cars off the road, reducing carbon emissions.

“This is an investment in jobs, an investment in the environment, and an investment in the health of our citizens. Everyone’s a winner,” said Mr Albanese.