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BQ HITS THE ROAD:  NEW CEO CONNECTS WITH CYCLISTS AND CANDIDATES FOR QUEENSLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

 

Brisbane, QLD (February13, 2024) – Bicycle Queensland (BQ) is taking to the road across Queensland this month, introducing their new CEO, Alton Twine, and connecting with communities from Coolangatta to Cairns.

Joined by Advocacy Director Andrew Demack, Twine’s mission is clear: to listen, collaborate, and advocate for a brighter future where cycling where cycling is integrated into local government thinking and planning across Queensland. 

An experienced deliverer of cycling infrastructure and sustainable transport across government, Alton Twine brings experience and enthusiasm. He’s eager to meet community members and Bicycle Queensland members across the State to understand their priorities and lead the organisation in its mission to create a state where cycling is embraced and accessible. 

Mr Twine wants this road trip to be about more than handshakes. Twine and Demack will listen to members’ concerns, from safer infrastructure and better connectivity to the shared joy of cycling.

Meeting with local council officials and local government election candidates, the team will champion the benefits of bike riding. “It’s not only about infrastructure – it’s about promoting fitness, regional tourism opportunities and offering an affordable transportation option in these times of rising costs”. 

Twine and Demack will highlight how investing in cycling programs and infrastructure can benefit the community by reducing traffic congestion and emissions and boosting regional economies through tourism. 

Bicycle Queensland encourages all interested cyclists and community members to connect with them during the road trip. Follow BQ on social media for updates and event details, or visit https://bq.org.au/ to learn more. Or phone 07 3844 1144

To catch up with Alton Twine and Andrew Demack, here’s where they’ll be and when: 

  • Redlands, Logan, and Ipswich: February 15-16 
  • Sunshine Coast, Moreton, and Noosa: February 22-23 
  • South East Queensland Councils: February 26-28 (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Toowoomba) 
  • North and Central Queensland: March 4-8 (Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Townsville, Whitsunday, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast).               

Bicycle Queensland is the peak body representing cyclists in Queensland. We advocate for safe, connected cycling infrastructure, provide member services and benefits like insurance, and work to create a healthier, happier Queensland through cycling.

Contact:  To organise interviews or photo opportunities, please phone:

Bicycle Qld: 07 3844 1144

Or email: bqinfo@bq.org.au

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Interview with Mary Doolan Co-convenor Brisbane CBD BUG

Challenges for women cyclists:
  • Safety concerns: Women are generally more risk-averse than men and often cite safety as the main reason for not cycling, especially on roads.
  • Lack of infrastructure: Existing infrastructure may not cater to the needs of commuting cyclists, and there’s a gap in safe and connected routes.
  • Limited representation: BUGs and other cycling advocacy groups are mostly male-dominated, making it harder for women’s voices and needs to be heard.
  • Knowledge gap: Many people, including cyclists who are experienced in forms of riding other than road riding, may lack basic knowledge about safe riding practices and group riding etiquette.
Mary Doolan’s suggestions
  • The importance of women’s involvement in BUGs and advocacy to address safety concerns and promote cycling for all.
  • The need for better education and outreach programs to equip cyclists with necessary skills and knowledge.
  • Strategies like social media sharing, one-on-one mentoring, and addressing fundamental knowledge gaps to attract more women to ride.

See the City Differently: Brisbane’s Women Cyclists Pedal for a Vision We All Need

A conversation with Mary Doolan, Co-convenor Brisbane CBD BUG

Forget the roar of engines, listen instead to the quiet hum gaining momentum on Brisbane’s streets. It’s the sound of two wheels, women cyclists rising above the urban din. They want to reshape the city through their unique perspective, creating a bike culture that’s safe, inclusive, and reflects their needs.

Research shows that generally, the male perspective is evident in decision making re cycling infrastructure design, and Mary thinks this needs to be evened out. The road ahead mirrors Brisbane’s hilly terrain – challenging and demanding a different perspective. A unique perspective that women cyclists have to offer.

Safety concerns loom large. “There have been times,” Mary admits, her voice softening, “when I felt vulnerable, threatened .The lack of dedicated infrastructure and the car-centric culture can be daunting.” This sentiment echoes throughout the female bike riding community, creating a knowledge gap and a palpable hesitancy from women to embrace bike riding.

Mary embodies the spirit of a much wanted change. “We need a shift in the default position,” she declares, her voice firm. “Instead of automatically reaching for the keys, we should ask, ‘can I bike there?’ ‘But this requires more than individual choices. ‘We need active policies that prioritise safe cycling infrastructure designed with women in mind, and empower our female voices in decision-making bodies.”

We asked Mary what would she say to a captive room of government leaders – from the Premier to regional councillors?“There’s a lot of talk about congestion busting. When it comes to the use of transport and driving, the best way to bust congestion is actually to take cars off the road. There’s a whole heap of policies that should be in place that could do that. And one of those policies would be to get people out of cars, and onto other forms of transport, including bike riding. It also has the flow on effect of improving people’s health. I mean, it has a positive impact on health budgets. It has a positive effect on the environment. And it also is just one of those things that really helps connect communities. When you’re riding your bike, you can actually say hi to people, and stop and chat and you know, go for coffee and support businesses. You can’t do that, generally in a car. 

Then I’d like you all, to perhaps get together and come up with an active policy which has a stated aim of changing people’s default positions, instead of getting in a car, to start using something else, using an active transport method to get around.”

We’d like to see that meeting.

On a roll, Mary adds, “Brisbane, or any Queensland city for that matter, has the potential to be a cycling haven,” her voice full of optimism. “Imagine a city that’s not just dedicated paths that weave alongside creeks, but a city where children bike ride confidently to school, and where diverse communities connect over shared rides. It’s achievable, but it requires collective action, and especially, listening to the women who see the city differently.”

So, the next time you see a female bike rider, remember: she’s not just a cyclist passing by, she’s a new perspective, a voice that wants to advocate for a more equitable and vibrant city. “We need more women in influential roles, in BUGs, in government, everywhere, not just because it’s fair, but because our unique perspective on safety, infrastructure, and community will benefit everyone” 

But how do we get more women involved, if the safety issue is so strong?

Mary thinks that social media, mentorship and accessible, well thought out riding education programs are important pieces of the puzzle. But that we also need to address the infrastructure gap: creating dedicated cycling paths that actually connect the city and feel safe and accessible, especially for women and families. By creating a welcoming environment both online and offline, we can encourage more women to say, ‘Hey, I can do this!’