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Advocacy

$6.5 Million Boost for Cycling and Walking Infrastructure in Queensland

Bicycle Queensland welcomes the recent announcement by the Queensland government for a commitment of over $6.5 million in local council grants. The grants are aimed at improving bike riding and walking networks across Queensland. The funding is expected to support 31 new cycling projects and 16 new walking initiatives over the next two years. Earlier this year Bicycle Queensland asked local governments to increase funding to cycling infrastructure and programs. This announcement from the state certainly helps local governments across Queensland achieve this aim with co-investment under this program. 

These grants, allocated through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants and Walking Local Government Grants programs, are part of the record $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) for 2024-25 to 2027-28.

The funding will facilitate the development of priority bike routes and walking network plans, addressing key locations such as schools, public transport hub, and town centres. From the Gold Coast to Torres Shire, these projects will include the creation of shared paths, crossings, and comprehensive planning efforts.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish also highlighted the benefits of this funding: “Queenslanders deserve world-class active transport facilities. Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, or leisure reduces traffic congestion, cuts pollution, and saves on transport costs. This round of funding will support the delivery of new cycling and walking projects statewide, ensuring more Queenslanders can safely and efficiently reach their destinations.”

Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine praised the announcement, stating, “This investment will help Queensland become a leader in active transport. Enhanced cycling and walking infrastructure not only improves connectivity but also promotes healthier lifestyles and a more sustainable environment. We are thrilled to see such progressive support for our vision of more people riding more often.”

Grants in action

Eligable projects in the grant submissions included off-road exclusive use bikeways, aeparated bikeways, off-road shared paths, bicycle streets, mid or end of trip facilities and on-road facilities such as bike lans, line marking or shoulder widening.

Notable projects
– Active transport lighting – Fig Tree Point Park (Brisbane)
– Separated bikeway- Sylvan Rd: Miskin-Land St (Brisbane)
– Design shared path – Opal st to Botanic Gardens (Central Highlands)
– Construct shared path – Boat Harbour Drive to Old Mayrborough Rd (Fraser Coast)
– Construct shared path – Parksville Drive to Kahler Close (Gladstone)
– Construct shared path – Short St to Riddle St (Goondiwindi)

All the successful grants can be viewed online.

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Press releases

Bicycle Queensland announces Regional Forum Tour

Bicycle Queensland is pleased to announce a comprehensive regional tour scheduled for August. The tour, led by Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack, aims to engage with local Bicycle Queensland members, bike riders, the bike industry, tourism bodies, schools, universities and regional councils across Queensland.

The Regional Forum Tour underscores Bicycle Queensland’s commitment to advocating for cycling as a vital component of community health, sustainable transport, and tourism opportunities for the state of Queensland. Throughout the tour, Alton Twine and Andrew Demack will meet with stakeholders to discuss the benefits of cycling, effective transport planning, and the significant impact of cycling on local economies and community well-being.

Dates:

Confirmed locations are in our Events Listing.

August 5, 7pm: Cairns – Cairns Library Meeting Rooms, 151 Abbott Road
August 6, noon: Atherton – Atherton Community Centre, 16A Robert Road
August 6, 6pm: Innisfail – Community Support Centre, 13-17 Donald Street
August 7, 6pm: Townsville – Franks Pizza Napoli, 3 Ross River Road
August 12, 6pm: Noosaville
August 13, 6pm: Redcliffe
August 14, 6pm: Toowoomba
August 19, 6pm: Mackay
August 20, noon: Yeppoon
August 20, 6pm: Rockhampton
August 21. 6pm: Bundaberg

September 2: Gold Coast
September 3: Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan
September 4: Redlands
September 5: Scenic Rim

(Exact locations are being finalised – email media@BQ.org.au for specific locations)

CEO Alton Twine expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tour, stating, “This tour provides an excellent opportunity for us to connect directly with our members, local leaders, and candidates. Cycling plays a crucial role in enhancing the liveability of our communities, promoting active lifestyles, and reducing traffic congestion. We look forward to discussing these important issues and advocating for better cycling infrastructure and policies.”

Bicycle Queensland would like to thank the Queensland government for their support in running this tour, so we can understand the trends and challenges facing bike riding and micromobility. Bicycle Queensland aims to work with the Department of Transport and Main Road to communicate the investment opportunities around bike infrastructure and actions to best serve BQ members, stakeholders and communities.

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Advocacy

Brisbane Airport Active Transport update

It’s great to see that Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has completed a pathway link from Sugarmill Road along Lomandra Drive, linking to Viola Place and Da Vinci Boulevard. This path will be a great benefit to people getting around the Brisbane Airport precinct by cycling or walking.

BAC has also announced some further active transport projects, including a secure bike parking facility at the Domestic Terminal, and plans for a corridor study at the airport to work out the best active transport routes.

These are actions from BAC’s Active Transport Strategy and Action Plan, which BAC has emailed us to say is complete. Sadly, that document is not available to the public, which makes it difficult for Bicycle Queensland and the Airport Bicycle Users Group to really engage collaboratively with BAC. From our perspective, transparency is as important as providing the infrastructure, and our message to all agencies and governments is that making your plans available to the public builds trust and respect with the community.

Are you currently a Bicycle Queensland member? Find out more about membership right here.

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Advocacy Press releases

Bicycle Queensland membership update for September 1

From September 1, 2024, Bicycle Queensland will be updating our membership offering and insurance, meaning all members will now be covered with accident insurance and public liability insurance, whether they use an e-scooter or a bike. This means as a Bicycle Queensland member you will be covered when riding a legal e-scooter with your Individual, Concession or Household membership. We’re excited to introduce this change, meaning you’re covered no matter what method you choose to ride more often. This coverage does not extend to BQ Supporter memberships.

Coverage starts from September 1, 2024. For the Bicycle Queensland members who have only taken out an e-scooter membership, you will have a slight price increase when it is time for your membership to renew, be it annual or monthly. Your membership will now become an Individual membership. You still have the same coverage with your e-scooter use, but also for using a bicycle. . If you currently have paid for an e-scooter add on, this additional cost will not be added when your membership is up for renewal.

Not yet a member of Bicycle Queensland? Sign up here.

Membership typeCurrent inclusions Price ($) annual/monthlyNew inclusions from 1/9/24Price ($) annual/monthly from 1/9/24
IndividualBike riding insurance only$134/$12.99Bike and e-scooter riding insurance $134/$12.99
ConcessionBike riding insurance only$99/$9.99Bike and e-scooter riding insurance$99/$9.99
Household of 2Bike riding insurance only$172/$15.99Bike and e-scooter riding insurance $172/$15.99
Household of 3 PlusBike riding insurance only$198/$17.99Bike and e-scooter riding insurance$198/$17.99
E-scooterE-scooter riding insurance only$113/$10.99Transition to Individual membership$134/$12.99

BQ is excited to introduce this change as the updated membership and insurance structure offers a far more inclusive policy for all our members, ensuring they are covered whether they choose to get around via a bike or an e-scooter. If you have questions regarding the updates, please email bqinfo@bq.org.au or call 07 3844 1144 between 8:30am – 4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Take a look at what our membership includes.

Bicycle Queensland membership insurance
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Advocacy Press releases

Velo-city 2024: a conference towards better cycling 

Words: Alton Twine

When you think of the world’s best cities for cycling, you probably think of Amsterdam, Copenhagen and, these days, Paris. However outside of the glamour of these world-renown bastions of cycling, there is a new wave of lesser-known cities embracing cycling and changing urban culture for the better. One of these cities is Ghent in Belgium. 

The annual world cycling summit, Velo-city 2024, took place  between 18-21 June 2024, in Ghent, a beautiful city that has grown up in the shadow of its more famous sister Bruges. As described  on the European Cycling Federation website, Velo-city is where advocates, cities, policy makers, researchers and industry leaders meet to discuss success and experiences around cycling and sustainable urban development across a global stage. 

Velo-city began in 1980 in Bremen. Since then, conferences have been held in cities all over the world, including Adelaide in 2014. This year’s event brought together community representatives, business, government, research and education partners under the theme “Connecting Through Cycling.” 

The event included a lineup of speakers from the world’s top cycling experts, government officials, advocates, retailers and community representatives, accompanied by a technical Expo featuring innovative cycling-related technology, exhibits and programs. 

A feature of this year’s conference was the keynote address from former Transport Commissioner for New York, Janette Sadik-Khan. Janette literally transformed significant areas of New York during the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, clearly illustrating to conference delegates what can be achieved through good planning persistence and strong leadership. 

With over 80 separate conference presentations across multiple themes, Velo-city had a lot to offer delegates no matter what their interest in cycling, however the overarching theme was: here are things we have introduced to our communities and this is what has worked and what hasn’t – and here is the data and what success actually looks like. 

Important messages for Queensland from Velo-City

There are many, many things to bring back to Queensland, not the least of which is that persistence pays off. Partnerships are vital to success, particularly where cycling advocacy and urban planning and design is concerned.  

A contingent of urban planners from Paris told the compelling story of the transformation  of Paris streets from car domination to a city where cycling is now at 11% compared to car journeys at 4%.  Supporting the view of Janette Sadik-Khan, great infrastructure, programs such as bike hire schemes and policies that favour active transport modes have created this cycling revolution in a timely manner for this year’s Olympic Games. 

Ghent itself is an example of what can be achieved. Progressive policies by the city over the last 20 years to restrict car access and invest in high quality cycling infrastructure throughout the City has seen cycling mode share increase to 30%. As in many European cities “cycle streets” are common in residential areas, where priority is clearly given to cyclists over cars, as denoted by large symbols on the pavement. Urban speed limits are typically 30 km/h in these areas also. 

A community ride and discussion with Ghent town planners reveals that it wasn’t always this way, with the historic town centre dominated by car parks and traffic congestion only a few years ago. Today bike paths, an expanding light rail system and large public squares and buildings abound, supporting a better lifestyle for residents and allowing the city to be experienced at a more human pace. 


You can support the advocacy efforts of Bicycle Queensland, plus enjoy extensive insurance and membership benefits, by signing up today.