BQ Bike Park proves fans are ready to ride to the Gabba

Bicycle Queensland’s first free Bike Park at the Gabba has successfully demonstrated that secure bike parking can become part of the game-day experience for Queenslanders, with the inaugural trial proving the concept works for Brisbane sports fans.

The Bike Park, delivered in partnership with Microbility, welcomed riders attending the Brisbane Lions’ home game on Sunday 12 July, providing free, supervised parking just 100 metres from the stadium.

The successful first event is the beginning of a trial that will continue across the remaining Brisbane Lions home games this season, giving more fans the confidence to leave the car at home and ride to the football.

The Bike Park operated smoothly through the afternoon and evening, with riders checking bikes in and out through a simple valet-style process while volunteers monitored the facility for the duration of the match.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said the trial addresses one of the biggest barriers preventing more people riding to major events. Around 20 riders took advantage of the free Bike Park during the soft launch, providing an encouraging start to the trial.

“Griffith University research found only three privately-owned bikes parked round the Gabba at a sold-out AFL game in 2024, despite there being over 30,000 fans in attendance. Yet many of Brisbane’s best bikeways flow nearby. People don’t ride because there is nowhere safe to park and they are afraid their bike will get nicked. Our partnership with Microbility fixes that. It’s exactly the kind of practical initiative that will get more people onto bikes and reduce the State Government’s costs in providing special event buses.”

“With only limited promotion ahead of our first Bike Park, seeing around 20 riders use the free service during the soft launch is a really encouraging result. It shows there are people who want to ride to major events when they know their bike will be safe.”

The trial is also an opportunity to demonstrate how active transport can play a greater role in moving people to and from major venues ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bike valet parking is already common at major sporting events across Europe and North America, with similar services operating successfully during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The demand has always been there – riders just haven’t had a reason to trust that their bike would be safe at a big game or event,” said Microbility Director Derek Mollison. “Bike Park gives them that convenience and trust. The Gabba is the right venue to start, and in partnering with BQ we have the credibility and the community reach to make this work. 2032 is a key vision, but the habits we build now are the legacy.”

Bicycle Queensland hopes the successful first trial is the start of a broader conversation about making secure bike parking a standard feature at major venues across Queensland.

The free BQ Bike Park will return for the remaining Brisbane Lions home games at the Gabba this season:

• Sunday 26 July – Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide
• Friday 7 August – Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn
• Saturday 15 August – Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns (subject to AFL confirmation)

Located beside the Woolloongabba Substation at 45 Logan Road, the Bike Park opens one hour before matches start and remains staffed until one hour after the match.

Bicycle Queensland encourages anyone attending the remaining games to give riding a go and experience just how easy travelling to the Gabba by bike can be.