The Board of Bicycle Queensland is pleased to advise members and key stakeholders that the new Chief Executive Officer of the organisation is Alton Twine.

Mr Twine is a highly experienced former public servant with a long record of passionate and effective advocacy for cycling and sustainable transport.  

Most recently he was Director of Lifestyle and Community and for 8 years previously, Director of Transport and Infrastructure at Gold Coast City Council. He has also led cycling infrastructure and active transport planning and activation at Brisbane City Council as well as with the Queensland Government, where he managed the Active Transport team and had a critical role in TravelSmart, the world’s largest active transport program.

Alton was a member of the Australian Bicycle Council for many years and has had substantial input into strategy, planning and implementation of cycling facilities and behaviour change programs at all levels of government, successfully proposing and delivering significantly- increased capital works programs delivering more bikeways, facilities and active travel programs. In 2009 he was awarded Cycling Professional of the Year by the Cycling Promotion Fund.

He first joined Bicycle Queensland as a member in 2003.  He grew up in Townsville where he started his cycling career on a bright green Malvern Star, and, with still too many bikes in the shed, has recently bought his first E-bike.

Alton’s vision for BQ is to position the organisation at the forefront of advocacy for cycling, particularly as we head into a year of elections at the local and state government level. Alton also wants to improve the offering for members across the State, reinvigorating membership, insurance and events, as well has having meaningful input on behalf of members into proposals and projects that benefit cyclists. He is already planning improvements to the website, social media and participation opportunities for members.

Chair of the Board Rachel Nolan said she was very pleased to have secured Mr Twine’s services and was optimistic about the future of the organisation and of the important cause of sustainable transport.

Last year, the Board promised members we would undertake a thoughtful and thorough search for a new CEO and over the final months of 2023, we did that.  The position was advertised widely and we received 49 applications.

“Alton was the stand out candidate.  He is a capable and committed person who is very well known in cycling and sustainable cities circles for making a difference to the urban form.  He “gets it” about BQ and has the skills to deliver on providing services to members and making an impact that matters.

 “The time is right for the cycling revolution.  We live in a carbon constrained world, the cost of living is high and people are literally dying for want of opportunity to move their bodies.  Cycling and active transport are the solution to all of these things – but we need to make it easy for people to ride and get governments thinking about cities beyond cars.

“Bicycle Queensland is ambitious in its vision.  We intend to make change.

Ms Nolan said BQ had undergone significant reform in recent times, changing the legal structure, renewing the board and governance, returning to surplus after 5 years and now undertaking a highly competitive recruitment for a new CEO.

She especially thanked outgoing CEO Lisa Davies Jones, the longest standing BQ Director who stepped into the role in May and led the organisation with professionalism and grace. 

“We have been ably led by Lisa, who we will nominate for life membership at next AGM.”

Ms Davies Jones said it had been a privilege to step into the Interim CEO role through such an important time of transition for Bicycle Queensland.

“I wish the Board and Alton every success in delivering on the Board’s inspiring and important vision,” Ms Davies Jones said.

The new CEO will commence in the role on February 12.