BQ Member Profile: Imogen Smith

Imogen Smith has been part of the cycling scene for more than 25 years, with a long history of racing bikes across a variety of disciplines. Based west of Brisbane, Imogen joined Bicycle Queensland in October last year ahead of riding the Brisbane to Gold Coast.

‘I’ve known about BQ for years,’ she says. ‘I’ve always seen them out there at events and doing the advocacy work – but I’d never actually been a member. Signing up ahead of the B2GC as a Household of two membership with my partner just made sense, especially with the insurance included.’

While Imogen may not be chasing podiums as much these days, bikes still play a big part in her life. Whether it’s rolling out from home for a long solo gravel ride, bikepacking the Mawson Trail in South Australia, or exploring the forest trails in the D’Aguilar Ranges west of the city, she’s still clocking plenty of hours in the saddle.

‘I’m riding a little less competitively now, which has actually opened up more of Queensland for me to explore. I’ve been loving some of the quieter routes and less pressure to “train” all the time.’

With that shift in mindset has come a new appreciation for the benefits of being a Bicycle Queensland member – especially when it comes to peace of mind.

‘It was the insurance that made me join, to be honest. I’ve had an AusCycling licence, or Cycling Australia or MTBA licence when racing, but that’s not a membership I need anymore. However, I’ve seen friends have accidents or close calls, and it really made me think. Knowing I’m covered if something happens gives me the confidence to ride more. So the insurance that comes with BQ membership is really valuable to me.’

Since becoming a member, Imogen has also taken a deeper interest in the work BQ does behind the scenes. From connecting cycling communities across the state to having a voice in national discussions about bike safety, she’s realised there’s a lot more going on than most riders might notice.

‘Once I joined and started getting the newsletters and seeing what BQ’s working on – especially around infrastructure and safety – it really hit home how important that advocacy work is,’ she says. ‘It’s not just about insurance. It’s about safer roads and better access for everyone on bikes – on road and off.’

And while advocacy and insurance were front of mind when she joined, there’s another benefit that’s caught her by surprise.

‘I didn’t expect to get so much value from the discounts!’ she laughs. ‘I’ve already saved over $300 on gear I was going to buy anyway – from sun sleeves to nutrition to a new pair of Bont shoes. That was a real bonus.’

For Imogen, being part of BQ now feels like a natural extension of her riding life – one that brings reassurance, community, and new discoveries.

‘I wish I’d joined sooner, honestly. There’s a lot more to it than I realised – and I think any rider, no matter how experienced, can get something valuable from being part of it.’