Without question, 2020 has been a been difficult year as we faced the challenges of COVID-19.  Whilst our events and activations were disrupted, we worked tirelessly in the advocacy and education space to assist more Queenslanders to ride their bike more often.

Bicycle Queensland prides itself on providing a high standard of service to our members and the team remained committed to that in 2020. Despite the setbacks that came with the pandemic, we promptly adapted to a new normal and achieved several milestones this year.

Servicing our members

• To date, we have welcomed 502 new members in 2020
• We launched a new member software to make joining, renewing and updating your details easier for our members
• We introduced a new BQ support membership
• We continue to provide the best priced and most comprehensive bicycle membership insurance in Australia
• Supported 128 members after they had accidents with advice, legal assistance, insurance, reporting and hazards

Championing the cause

• We introduced five BQ ambassadors from across Queensland to help spread the word about the benefits of bike riding
• We successfully launched the new BQ brand and website which have received wonderful feedback from members and stakeholders
• We spoke on behalf of Queensland bike riders over 600 times in the media on issues such as cycling infrastructure, the development of new bike lanes to help people ride during COVID-19, the health benefits of cycling and how bikes can reduce climate change
• We provided our members and friends with 400+ articles and news pieces to keep them informed and help them ride more confidently
• We created a new educational library, including Bike Basics videos and Where to Ride resource guide
• We launched our Commuter Harmony Alliance campaign and grew our government and non-government stakeholder map by 450%

Provided great events and experiences

• Sadly, COVID-19 meant we had to cancel our proposed 2020 events. However, we found new ways for people to ride via our online Pedal Queensland event
• We welcomed a new charity partner in Orange Sky
• We re-introduced and improved upon our bike maintenance workshops, with a great turn out of 115 attending throughout 2020 and all workshops selling out. Our 2021 waitlist for workshops is currently 300 people and growing
• We created an online maintenance workshop platform to service regional members and partners

Making it easier for people to ride

• We met with the Queensland Health Officer and successfully lobbied against the introduction of a 5km cycling restriction during the lockdown
• We successfully lobbied for bike shops and mechanics to be classified as an essential service during COVID-19
• We met with QPS and Queensland ministers for Transport, Tourism and Education, regarding our priorities to make it easier and safer for Queenslanders to ride their bikes
• We wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister asking for changes to heavy vehicle regulation and will continue that fight into 2021
• We successfully lobbied for the fast track of Rail Trail feasibility studies across regional Queensland

• We were the driving force behind the construction of the Brisbane CityLink bikeways
• We continued to meet with bicycle user groups across our state on a quarterly basis, providing them resource packs to local and federal funding for infrastructure projects as part of the economic recovery package

Keeping our team together

• Our team were successful in adapting to working from home and have now all returned to the office
• We welcomed George our new BQ office dog

On behalf of the BQ team, we wish you a safe and festive season.  May your Christmas stocking be filled with cycling-related gifts and you find time for bike rides with friends and family.

Happy riding,

Rebecca Randazzo