Author: Andrew Demack

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Advocacy

Voice your support for better cycling outcomes at this weekend’s local government elections

A letter to Bicycle Queensland members from CEO Alton Twine

Dear Bicycle Queensland Member

This weekend’s local government elections are an opportunity to voice your support for better cycling facilities and programs in your community.

As many of you know, over the last month new CEO Alton Twine and Advocacy Director Andrew Demack have conducted an extensive local government pre-election campaign, travelled thousands of kilometres, connecting with our members and communities across Queensland, visiting and speaking with Councils and candidates.

Whilst a more detailed account of their findings will be presented to members in the not-too-distant future (we have collected a lot of information!), we can report a summary of concerns that resonate across the State that form the basis of our call for 7 key things that can be done to improve cycling in our communities:

1. Close the gaps in the network

Whilst cycling and using scooters are increasingly popular for transport and recreation, people who use bikes and scooters require safe and effective infrastructure to be provided in a consistent way where they live. A major issue for riders is the “missing links” that dominate cycle networks across the State, making a journey from A to B a difficult proposition for many. Some of these missing links are mere metres in length, some are caused by a lack of transition between roads to bikeways and some are caused by a lack of directional signage that would allow a route to be clearly identified.

Bicycle Queensland is asking Councils to close these gaps, so getting somewhere safely by bike or scooter is easy.

2. Maintain what is there already

Maintenance of existing facilities needs to be improved. Many riders have complained about obstructions along paths, such as overgrowing vegetation, potholes and inappropriate barriers. Debris such as broken glass and rocks are common along on-road bike lanes and verges. These problems can be addressed by more frequent inspections of paths and more street sweeping along on-road routes.

3. Improve signage for safety and wayfinding

There is an overall lack of signage across cycling networks — both wayfinding and directional signage or safety signage. In many places, on-road markings are faded or sometimes non-existent. Signage is a cheap and effective way of assisting all road and path users and is greatly appreciated by all. Applying more pathway signage and on-road “signs and lines” will help all users.

4. Look for cycle tourism opportunities

Cycling tourism is on the rise. The “Australian and Cycling E-Scooter Economy in 2022” report notes that cycling-related tourism resulted in $1.88 billion in direct output across Australian States and Territories. In Queensland, the rise of cycling tourism around mountain biking opportunities continues to occur across the State, with more and more projects underway. In many areas, the re-purposing of closed railway lines as “rail trails” is bringing new life into communities, as ably demonstrated by the success of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

Councils can consider what opportunities exist to attract this growing leisure and recreation market and look to invest in facilities that will attract tourists to ride bikes in their communities.

5. Engage with users

People who ride bikes and use scooters in their local communities are keen to engage with local governments to assist the efforts of Councils to improve all aspects of cycling. Engaging with users of the network around future plans and particular projects will help ensure the best outcomes for everyone. Councils can engage with local Bicycle User Groups (BUGs) and/or reach out to Bicycle Queensland directly to assist.

6. Build more shared paths and bikeways

There is still a need to provide safe connections for bikes, e-scooters, and pedestrians in many areas. We have heard this from our members and the community where providing these facilities will make it attractive for people to ride.

The best facilities are off-road shared paths. Riding along on-road bike lanes in busy areas, next to high speed traffic lanes and parking, is for experienced riders only. To attract more people to ride, including children, recreational riders and the increasing number of elderly who are discovering the joys of mobility on an electric bike, we call for more off-road pathways to be constructed.

7. Aim for 10% of trips by active transport by 2032 and commit 10% of the transport budget to making it happen

Cycling and active transport (including the fast-growing area of e-scooters) are the healthiest and most sustainable form of transport.  Taking short trips by active transport is the best thing councils can do to address ill health in their communities and to meet the sustainability targets now rolling out across Queensland ahead of the 2032 Games.

At present, only a few councils have active transport targets, committing a clear percentage of the overall transport budget to getting people moving sustainably.

We call on councils across the state to commit to 10% active transport journeys by 2032, to develop plans and to contribute a meaningful 10% of council transport budgets to making it happen.

Bicycle Queensland commends those Councils who do great work in their local communities to support cycling.

By addressing these 7 areas of concern that have been raised by members and communities across the State, more people will ride safely in our communities, making them better places for all to enjoy.

Many of these 7 key areas are “low-hanging fruit” that are relatively cheap to implement.  These investments are modest in comparison to road budgets and have a genuine advantage in not only reducing traffic congestion (every extra cyclist on the network is one less car trip) but also providing appropriate and safe facilities for recreation and sport.

As we head into local government elections this weekend, please let your candidates know that cycling is important to you and to the community you live in.

Our advocacy with Councils does not end with the elections on the weekend! We have opened channels with many Councils across the State and we are committed to formally noting and prosecuting the many areas of concern that you as members have raised in our discussions.

We intend to hold Councils and successful candidates to account on the basis of these issues and any others that may emerge, in an ongoing campaign to improve facilities, training, education and co-operation between Councils and our members.

As many of you know all too well, success is a matter of persistence. BQ has been around for 44 years and by working with state and local governments has improved the lot of those who ride bikes and scooters across the State. We are in it for the long haul.

A big thank you to all those who could make the time to talk with us over the last few weeks. It was great to talk with you, listen and understand your frustrations and experiences, and be guided by your local wisdom on how we can best address our efforts on your behalf. For all of you, including those who weren’t able to make our meetings, please continue to let us know the concerns that you have and ideas on how to improve riding in your communities.

We are looking forward to continuing our conversations with you, and with our newly-elected Councils as they head into their first local government budget meetings. 😊

Yours in cycling

Alton Twine
CEO Bicycle Queensland

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Advocacy Press releases

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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Advocacy Partner News

BQ says thanks to outgoing Minister Bailey

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, has stepped aside from the ministry, as a new Premier and a new Cabinet will be named this week (14 December 2023).

Bicycle Queensland takes this opportunity to thank the outgoing Minister for being the cycling champion we needed.

Minister Bailey (centre) and BQ’s 2023 end of year event, with Tracey Price (left) and BQ chair Rachel Nolan (right).

While we believe there is still a long way to go in building both the infrastructure and the social environment that will transform Queensland towards a healthier, zero emissions transport future, Mark Bailey has done more towards this than any recent Transport Minister.

And from Bicycle Queensland’s perspective, we always knew we had a person in the top job who regularly faced the cycling conditions that we all face, who used his bicycle for transport, and for fitness, and for recreation.

It was a truism of Mark Bailey’s time as Transport Minister that any time there was a new bikeway or bike bridge funded by TMR, that he would be there to open it, and be the first to ride it.

Under his leadership, Transport and Main Roads has spent more than previously on building the Principal Cycle Network, but has also made great use of including provision for bikes and walking into larger projects such as motorways and railway upgrades.

Bailey has also led the way in encouraging partnership between State Government and local government, and particularly urged the large SEQ councils to step up in provision of active transport facilities.

Queensland has had some excellent Transport Ministers in the past … Bicycle Queensland’s chair Rachel Nolan was another who made great strides towards changing the way we move.

One of Mark Bailey’s real achievement in this space is that expectations of the Transport Minister have now been reset. The new person who takes on this role has big shoes to fill.

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Advocacy

BQ response to coronial findings on the death of Carolyn Lister

10 October 2023

Bicycle Queensland Interim CEO Lisa Davies-Jones said: “Bicycle Queensland has been very disturbed to read the coronial report into the death of Carolyn Lister, who died while riding her bike to work at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in July 2020.”

“Carolyn Lister’s death was tragic and unnecessary.  She died because there is no appropriate cycling corridor around the Royal Brisbane Hospital, a major workplace. The truck which hit her did not have safety features which have since been made mandatory for new trucks in Australia.

“Once again, we grieve Carolyn Lister’s tragic and unnecessary death, and we express our deepest condolences to her husband John and family.

“Bicycle Queensland has consulted with Brisbane-area bicycle user groups, who also shared our grief and our disappointment with the long wait for these findings, and the delays that this has caused to making our roads and paths safer.

“We call on Brisbane City Council to urgently implement the upgraded paths and crossings along O’Connell Terrace and Bowen Bridge Rd as mentioned as an “Interim Concept Plan” in the coroner’s findings. If there was any reason to wait for these safety improvements (taking into account the active transport community’s feedback on the concept designs), the publication of these findings removes that reason. We also note that the bikeway and shared path network of inner-city Brisbane is incomplete and disjointed, and that there are still many locations around Brisbane where heavy vehicles share space with vulnerable road users including bike riders, walkers, and scooter riders.

“Every person who leaves home in the morning to travel on our roads and paths has the rightful expectation that they will return home again. Brisbane City Council and the State Government must do more to provide for the safety of all users of our transport systems.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s announcement last week on new mandatory safety features for heavy vehicles, especially side under-run protection, blind spot mirrors, and safety sensors. Had the truck which ran over Carolyn Lister been better equipped with modern safety features, the driver might have been alerted to Carolyn’s presence. However, as the Federal announcement only applies to new vehicles, it would not have saved Carolyn, as the owner-driver fleet is typically older and less safe than trucks owned by the large logistics firms such as Boral.

“We call on State Government and Federal Government to jointly fund safety improvements to the existing fleet of trucks, focussing on assisting owner-drivers to ensure that their vehicles meet the latest safety standards including side under-run protection, blind spot mirrors, and safety sensors.

“We call on State and Federal Government to phase out trucks which cannot be made to meet current safety standards.

Categories
Advocacy

Brisbane bicycle advocates deliver priority list to BCC

Bicycle Queensland and the Brisbane-based bicycle user groups (CBD BUG, East BUG, Brisbane West BUG, North BUG and Airport BUG) have put forward a consolidated priority list to Brisbane City Council’s Transport chair Cr Ryan Murphy.

The list highlights the projects that bicycle advocates believe would be reasonable to expect to be completed at the start of the next four year Council term, regardless of the composition of Council.

Top of the priority list is Stage 5 of the North Brisbane Bikeway, from Price Street through to Eagle Junction. Other top of the list items are the Viola Place link, connecting the links at either end of Indooroopilly Riverwalk, and Stage 2 of CityLink to Fortitude Valley.

The list then goes on to request BCC give priority to addressing the lack of bikeway connectivity on the east side of the city, and lists potential projects in that quarter which would make a difference.

It then looks at those arterial roads currently used by bike riders which have pain points and difficult sections: Nudgee Road, Annerley Road (Annerley Junction to Dutton Park), Kedron Brook Road through Wilston village, Vulture Street: West End to Goodwill Bridge, Sugarmill Road and Sylvan Road.

The full list of bicycle priorities for Brisbane is linked here.

Bicycle Queensland and the bicycle user groups will be sharing this document (and seeking responses to the priorities listed) with candidates for the BCC elections, due in March next year.

BQ Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack said: “It was great to collaborate on this list with the bicycle advocacy groups of Brisbane. These advocates live and breathe these concerns every day, and have great insight to share with Council’s decision-makers about the changes we can make to improve the uptake of bike riding in Brisbane. We are hopeful that this list won’t just remain a static document, but that we will see many of these projects become reality as soon as possible.”