Month: July 2026

Categories
Advocacy

Queensland mountain bike trails receive major funding boost

Bicycle Queensland has welcomed three significant funding announcements for mountain bike trail networks across the state, highlighting the growing recognition of cycling infrastructure as an investment in healthier communities, regional tourism and Queensland’s outdoor lifestyle.

The funding includes $355,000 to Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club (GCMTB) for repairs to the Nerang National Park trail network on the Gold Coast as part of the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grants developed by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments. GCMTB President Bryan King said the club’s limited volunteer resources were insufficient to repair the extensive damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred across the trail network.

Source: Rocky Trail Entertainment

“Without funding from the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grant, we would not be able to restore the trails to a safe and sustainable condition, putting the entire network at risk of closure since Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has extremely limited funding which does not stretch to cover all needed mountain bike trail maintenance.”

Other clubs have received funding through other schemes, with $1.1 million for repairs at Douglas Mountain Bike Park in Townsville through the efforts of the Townsville Rockwheelers, and $813,000 for repairs and improvements at First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve in Rockhampton via Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club.

The club has grand plans for further expansion at First Turkey, including an 8km gravity trail from the top of Mount Archer. Given the club has attracted state level gravity events, the further investment would be a bonus for tourism and would help attract state or national level events.

Bicycle Queensland Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack, said the announcements were an important step towards growing participation in riding across Queensland.

“Formal, sustainable mountain bike facilities provide safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities to ride,” Demack said.

“These trail networks are community assets that support physical activity, connect people with nature and create opportunities for families and friends to spend time outdoors together. Continued investment in quality facilities helps more Queenslanders discover the benefits of riding.”

Mountain biking continues to grow in popularity across Australia, with trail networks increasingly recognised as valuable recreational infrastructure that delivers social, health and economic benefits to local communities.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said investment in mountain bike facilities also aligns with the state’s long-term economic and tourism ambitions.

“Queensland is blessed with incredible landscapes and outdoor destinations. High-quality mountain bike facilities attract visitors, support local businesses and help regional communities diversify their tourism offerings,” Dr Burke said.

“These projects demonstrate how investment in riding infrastructure contributes to healthier communities while supporting the Queensland Government’s vision for a thriving and active state. We congratulate the local clubs, volunteers and councils whose advocacy and hard work have helped secure this funding.”

The continued growth and improvement of formal mountain bike facilities across the state will be essential to supporting the future of bike riding in Queensland and ensuring more people have access to safe, enjoyable places to ride. Or as we like to say, it’s an essential part of having local trails for local kids.

Bicycle Queensland advocates for all types of riders. Membership supports BQ’s advocacy work around the state, while also offering extensive membership benefits.

Categories
Events

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.

Categories
Events

BQ’s Party in Pomona

Bicycle Queensland’s first major gravel and adventure weekend of 2026 proved that riders are hungry for challenging routes, good company and a relaxed event format that puts the riding experience first.

Held across May 16–17 in the Noosa Hinterland, BQ’s Weekend at Pomona brought around 150 riders together for two days of off-road adventure riding through some of South East Queensland’s most scenic backroads, forest trails and hinterland climbs. Based out of the Pomona Showgrounds, the event adopted the same “base camp” style that proved popular at Weekend at Wondai in April 2025, where riders could settle into one location and choose from a range of supported ride options across the weekend.

The format was designed to make the event more accessible and affordable while still delivering a premium riding experience. Riders had the flexibility to camp at the showgrounds, bring a caravan, or organise their own accommodation nearby, while meals were left up to individuals and local businesses. Instead of structured dinners and bundled accommodation packages, BQ focused on what mattered most: the riding itself.

Each of the four planned routes delivered a distinctly hinterland flavour, combining gravel roads, dirt trails, quiet sealed roads and plenty of climbing. Ride leaders guided groups across all four courses, with support crews positioned throughout the routes providing water, snacks, mechanical assistance and medical support where needed.

While rain showers in the lead-up had many riders nervously watching forecasts, the weather ultimately delivered near-perfect riding conditions. Damp trails and lingering puddles added a layer of adventure without dampening spirits, and many riders embraced the occasional mud pit as part of the experience.

For first-time participants, the supported nature of the weekend proved to be one of the event’s biggest drawcards.

“The confidence of having ride support made it a very exciting adventure as first timers, with plenty of laughs and beautiful landscapes,” one rider said after the weekend.

Another participant praised both the atmosphere and the organisation behind the event.

“We absolutely loved it, one of the most exciting things we have ever done and we have travelled a lot, just really well done event & we can tell that the BQ leadership and team worked well together to make it a success,” another said.

The relaxed base-camp model also encouraged a more social atmosphere away from the bike. Riders returned to Pomona throughout the afternoon to swap stories, clean their bikes and compare route highlights from the day’s adventures. Unlike point-to-point events that often see riders disperse immediately after finishing, the showgrounds became a communal hub for the weekend – as did the town’s cafes, pub and distillery.

Pomona itself proved an ideal host town. Nestled in the heart of the Noosa Hinterland, the township offered riders easy access to cafes, bakeries and accommodation options while serving as a gateway to the extensive network of gravel roads and forest routes surrounding the region. The nearby Noosa Trail Network and hinterland climbs showcased a different side of the Sunshine Coast area, one far removed from the busy beachfronts more commonly associated with the region.

The success of Weekend at Pomona also reflects the growing popularity of gravel and adventure riding in Queensland. Riders are increasingly seeking out events that prioritise exploration, scenery and camaraderie over racing and competition. By combining challenging riding with a low-cost, flexible structure, we think we have found a format that appeals to both experienced gravel riders wanting to find new places to ride and those looking to try supported off-road riding for the first time.

Importantly, the event maintained a strong safety and support presence throughout the weekend despite its more relaxed structure. Ride leaders, course support, water points, mechanics and medics were all positioned to ensure riders could tackle the challenging routes with confidence.

Following the success of both Weekend at Wondai and Weekend at Pomona, the base-camp adventure format appears likely to become an important part of BQ’s future event calendar. The combination of affordable participation, regional tourism opportunities and supported adventure riding has clearly resonated with members and riders alike.

For many participants, the appeal went beyond simply completing the routes. The weekend offered a chance to experience Queensland’s regional landscapes at a slower pace, challenge themselves on unfamiliar terrain and connect with a broader community of riders.

And while many bikes and riders returned home carrying a healthy coating of hinterland loam, the overwhelming feeling at the end of the weekend was simple: riders were already asking when the next one would be.

BQ Event Calendar