Road safety concerns due to no or narrow shoulders, high speeds
Peter Blakey – support the diversity of bike riders that is growing (incl Gravity Girls Cairns)
Andrea: rides for social reasons, off road for safety
Audax rides get 50/50 gender balance
State school still has bike bus via Mark Allen
High interest for a rail trail event
David Prete: 30-40k concept plan for Atheron MTB park and $7mil ask. Have received a 75k DTIS funding for business case. Looking to expand from 55km to 110km of trail, with more descending trails (and a shuttle operator). 250k received for a pilot training programme to provide skills for disengaged 17-24 year olds in the region. 100k received for maintenance, 75k used to fix up 4km of trail. Currently no commercial shuttle operator, and there will be access to 9000ha with 350m vert and a shuttle road in the future (using Herberton Ridge Road)
Peter Blakey: FNQ Pioneer Bike Route. 5-7 day 380km route. Mapped and marked and online. Suggestions to put traditional owners into the story of it. Has been crowd funded so far.
Mapping – can we change data around this for better access? Ie it’s all there, just not accessible. Who owns data? Who protects it?
Gail: greater investment needed in FNQ, as spend is SEQ focused. Direct funding required as 50/50 grants mostly can’t be supported by small councils.
Shoulder/verg upgrades needed with roads
Gail: ‘resurfacing’ works done not full upgrades, so no requirement to add a shoulder. Annoyed at the work around.
James: wants to push Atherton Tablelands to be nationally significant for bike riding, incl an awareness of a cycling culture. Really want BQ to advocate around U18 bike riders.
