Public forum to be held in Albury: Future of transport could be on two wheels, rather than four

The Future of Transport forum will be held in Albury on Thursday night, featuring politicians as well as transport and renewable energy groups.

Pedal Power Albury Wodonga secretary Keith McDonald will be one of the speakers, discussing the benefits of more people taking their bikes to work rather than driving.

“We’ll talk about some of the barriers that stop people using cycling as transport,” he said.

“It’s about shifting that balance.”

The cycling group was involved in setting up the forum along with the Sustainable Activity Centre and The Greens.

The theme is “what does the future of transport in our region look like?”.

Mr McDonald said there are both economic and social benefits of riding to work and he has started to see change with cycling infrastructure improving on the Border over the past 10 years.

“Change is a thing that happens in society very gradually,” he said.

“We’re contributing to change, albeit very small.”

He said there were big changes on the horizon and looked forward to seeing innovations such as electric bicycles having more of an impact.

Forum MC Dean Moss from the Albury Greens said the event could be the start of an important conversation.

"Our region is growing quickly. We have a real opportunity to embrace new technology, plan carefully and avoid the congestion of Sydney or Melbourne," he said.

"Transport is something that affects all of us in our day-to-day lives."

Renewable energy advocate and electric car owner Pete Gorder will also speak at the forum along with Border Rail Action Group member Dennis Toohey, Indi MP Cathy McGowan and Greens transport spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi.

The event is free to attend and will be held at the upstairs function room at the Bended Elbow in Albury from 6pm to 9pm on Thursday.