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Bicycle Queensland welcomes new Queensland State Government

Bicycle Queensland congratulates the Hon David Crisafulli MP on becoming the 41st Premier of Queensland. 

We also congratulate the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP on becoming Minister for Transport and Main Roads, and we look forward to working with him.

Riding bikes and scooters is popular with Queenslanders. More than 1.1 million Queenslanders regularly ride, with the potential for many more. The evidence from across Australia and the world is that more people will ride more often if safe facilities are provided. This will reduce traffic congestion, improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and get us moving towards the sustainability targets that are important for the whole State, as well as for the Brisbane 2032 event that is edging ever nearer.

Bike and scooter riding have an important role to play in the transport system, offering freedom from the constraints of congestion, parking and public transport timetables. E-bikes and e-scooters have been a game changer for many as they make getting around so much easier. All across Queensland we see bikes (and increasingly, scooters) being used for daily transport and utility trips, with the added bonus of that your transport can also be your recreation. 

Nowhere is this more important than with schools. In our urban areas, school traffic can make up a significant proportion (commonly 10%+) of the network traffic load, with more than 70% of students being taken to school by car. Yet a generation ago, the opposite was true, with most students walking and cycling to/from school. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast we have seen Active School Travel programs have been successful in reducing traffic congestion and creating safe routes to school. 

We believe that investment into safe walking and riding paths around schools will not only increase active transport participation, but also help deliver a network that is useful for all journey types.

Compared to other transport modes, cycling and walking are comparatively cheap in terms of infrastructure and, especially, operation. We believe this is good value for government investment, particularly in the context of the Department for Transport and Main Roads’ recently-introduced policy framework of Movement and Place, which, consistent with this policy in other States and overseas, recognises that local streets and public places are environments eminently suitable for riding bikes and scooters and walking.

Also, in a cost-of-living crisis, getting around by bike or scooter is not just convenient, it’s also cheap! The more we make it safer and easier, the more people will ride.

We look forward to working with the new Queensland Government to improve conditions for bike riding and scooter use, making it easier for people to get around, be more active and healthier, and contribute to our communities being better places.

Alton Twine
CEO
Bicycle Queensland

Categories
Advocacy

Toowoomba creates Queensland’s first Safe Active Street

On Friday June 21, 2024, Toowoomba Regional Council opened Queensland’s first Safe Active Street on Pierce Street in Toowoomba. Not just a first for Queensland, this was a first for the whole eastern seaboard of Australia. A Safe Active Street prioritises cycling, with a speed limit of 30km/h. Cars need to yield to cyclists, with painted lanes making all road users aware of the changed conditions.

Dropping the speed limit to 30km/h reduces the severity of any collisions between road users (no matter the modality) but it also helps make more bike riders feel safer on said street. Piercee Street in Toowoomba is a connector on the West Creek Cycleway, and amending the street into a Safe Active Street was a more cost-effective solution than creating a separated bikeway to create the connection. As Pierce Street ends in a quiet cul-de-sac there will be minimal impact on drivers of vehicles, but enhanced safety for those on bikes.

What does a Safe Active Street mean?

  • The speed limit is 30km/h. This applies to all road users.
  • People riding bikes are to ride near the centre of the shared travel lane (the terracotta painted zone).
  • People driving cars are to maintain 30km/h or less behind the person on a bike until safe to overtake, ensuring a distance of one metre from the rider. You are allowed to drive over the outside lines of the terracotta zone to overtake safely or to pass an oncoming vehicle.
  • Always give way to oncoming traffic and drive or ride in a safe and courteous manner.

Brian McKay, Senior Transport Planner at Toowoomba Regional Council, explained the concept of a Safe Active Street, and why they can be an important part of transport networks – and also affect change.

‘A Safe Active Street is something that is common throughout a lot of countries in Europe. Basically it is a street where everyone shares the same space. It has a lower speed environment… and we all know that 30km/h is that critical speed limit for safety. Bike riders have priority on this street and car drivers will have to sit behind a cyclist until they’re safe to move past.’

Having looked at various options to solve this missing link on the West Creek Cycleway, this was deemed the best fit by council.

‘We have a very car dominated road network in Queensland and in Australia,’ added McKay. ‘So all the time we can get these incremental changes to show people that there is a different kind of behaviour that is appropriate and safe for all users, then it is a great outcome for all.’

Categories
Advocacy

New Veloway bridge over O’Keefe street

Veloway Okeefe St

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) recently opened a new bridge on the Veloway. removing a dangerous intersection on this critical piece of cylcling infrastructure. The bridge was opened by the Hon Bart Mellish, alongside Mark Bailey, Joe Kelly and other dignitaries.

Andrew Demack, our Director of Advocacy, was at the bridge opening and was enthusiastic about the impacts it will have.

‘This bridge takes out a really dangerous crossing on O’Keefe street and the crossing with Carl street. Morning peak hour on Carl street was horrendous, and this new bridge takes all of that out.’

Instead, when you approach the city you now come in on a long loop under the main road, with a gentle gradient taking you onto the bridge and along the pre-existing parts of the V1 as you head north to the city.

‘East-west also has a connection, so if you are coming along from the Princess Alexandra Hospital you can come in from the northern side of the road, which you couldn’t in earlier designs. I’m so glad that the Queensland state government and TMR allowed that link to be part of the overall project. Of course, the next missing link is at Birdwood road, but they are working on a bridge for that as well.’

The Miles Government is investing a total of $315 million over the next four years, aiming to expand the cycling and walking paths in Queensland. This is a part of the $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28. Projects included in this investment include the velobridge in Greenslopes and a Riverwalk expandsion at Kangaroo Point.

‘Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic and less pollution, and can also mean savings on transport costs,’ explained Minister Mellish. ‘It’s not only cheaper than using a car but it’s much better for your health and we think Queenslanders deserve world class active transport facilities.’

This new bridge represents an investment of $22.03 million, and we’re certain it has improved efficiency of the network and the safety for all users.

Categories
Advocacy

Updates from Velo-City conference in Ghent

Velo-City Ghent

The world of cycling advocacy and active transport have descended on Ghent, Belgium this week. This university town is known as the home for a number of professional cyclists, the base for the Gent-Wevelgem semi-classic, and of course the Gent 6-day track race. And it’s in that short, tight and historic velodrome where the conference is taking place. This week the Derny Racing and Euro Disco is replaced instead by keynote speakers, handshaking, networking and elevator music. Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine is at the Velo-City conference to meet with his contemporaries, and bring back global insights and learnings to improve bike riding and active transport in Queensland.

Ok, there was still a bike race for the opening ceremony.

‘Day 1 of the Velo-City conference here in Ghent underscored just how strong the global cycling movement is and how great it is to be part of this. Velo-City 2024 is the largest such conference held to date, with 1650 cycling practitioners from all over the world coming together to share their experiences and discuss what works to create more cycle friendly communities.’

‘The opening keynote address was by the ex-Transport Commissioner for New York, Janette Sadik-Khan . The changes that this amazing transport practitioner has brought to the Big Apple is nothing short of amazing, transforming key places to become bicycle and human-friendly. In a revealing presentation, Ms Sadik-Khan illustrated how a great many cities across the globe are embracing cycling and making decisions in favour of better infrastructure and programs. It’s no easy feat as there is still plenty of “bikelash” driven by those not willing to listen to their communities or to believe the data from the transformation that occurs when, as she says, you put people first.’ 

‘Of particular note today has been the story of transformation in Paris, with more people now riding than driving. There have been many factors in this success, driven by the need to keep Paris moving during the forthcoming Olympics, but also creating a lasting by legacy for the City. Progressive installation of high quality bike lanes in the City over the last 25 years is a key to their success, with cycling rates jumping markedly since 2019 on the back of initiatives such as allowing contra flow bike lanes in one-way streets and widening bike lanes to safely accommodate more cyclists.’

‘There have also been some interesting points on how to leverage more funding from the private sector for bike programs, with great examples from across the world.’ 

‘Cities like Ghent have transformed their transport systems in recent times by adopting policies that favour active transport, reducing congestion, improving safety for all road users and in the process building more liveable communities. There is a lot to be learned here.’

Categories
Education

BQ go back to school for our Bicycle Skills and Road Safety School Programs

A big thank you to all the schools and communities that took part in Bicycle Queensland’s Bicycle Skills and Road Safety Program over the last few months. We would like to make a special mention of our supporting partners, KrushOz for supplying some excellent prizes on the day, and My Bike Shop in Mitchelton for handing out some discount vouchers and giving all the bikes a safety check prior to running our sessions at St Peter’s Chanel School.

As children become more mobile and explore urban traffic environments, embedding safe walking and cycling behaviours in children is vital in laying the foundations for safe independent mobility throughout life. BQ’s school and kindergarten programs engage students in the Australian Curriculum and Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines designed road safety practices.

We’d like to thank Yeronga State School and St Peter’s Chanel School, The Gap, Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure Maudsland and Mermaid Water as well as Highfields Child Care Centre for their organisation and support. In these sessions we covered,

  • Helmet fitting
  • ABC bike safety
  • Controlled and emergency braking
  • Signalling
  • Understanding road signs
  • Stranger danger

It’s proven that the knowledge we teach students in our program build confidence and skills on and around the bike as well as preparing them for slow traffic environments. The more children who ride, scoot, or walk to school, the fewer cars there will be on the roads and the less traffic congestion there will be around schools. Students who actively travel arrive awake and alert—improving their concentration, recall, and ability to understand the material being taught.

“My 6-year-old daughter has been reminding us how to use the 2-finger rule to ensure our helmets are fit correctly” – Kate, Parent

“The information about road safety and route planning gave my son the confidence to ride to school for the first time.” – Jenny, Parent

“I really liked the emergency braking. It was heaps fun. I learned how to stop fast and avoid obstacles.” – Oliver, Student

“…the kids at the school benefited greatly and my 2 kids are constantly reminding me with the useful tips they learnt (for in the car and on the bike!).” Fiona, Parent

Towards the end of the year, we will visit a few more schools across South-East Queensland and look forward to the next round of Community Road Safety Grants opening so we can build on the success of 2021. Keep your eye on the Community Road Safety Grant webpage for more info or get in touch at info@bq.org.au to book in your school or community.

Categories
Advocacy

Full Steam Ahead for Bikes on Trains

In response to a request from Bicycle Queensland, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP today announced a six-month trial of allowing bicycles and e-scooters on trains in peak hours.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said the six-month trial of allowing bicycles and e-scooters on peak hour trains in peak direction of travel, which will start 1 July, was a win for people who want flexibility in how they get around south-east Queensland.

“Every time someone uses the combination of bike and train to get around SEQ, that’s one less car on the roads,” Ms Randazzo said.

Watch the video of the announcement here.

Pictured is Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Rebecca Randazzo and Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Sunday at Albion train station to announce the great news.

“And combining public transport and bike riding helps you find your 30 minutes of physical activity for the day. And reduces carbon emissions. And it puts a smile on your face because you’re not stuck in traffic.”

“As it says on the Queensland Rail website: ‘Using your bicycle is a great way to get around South-east Queensland’!”  Ms Randazzo said.

Minister Bailey’s decision was a response to a letter sent in March, drafted by Bicycle Queensland and supported by all the bicycle user groups in the CityTrain operating area.

The letter highlighted Queensland Rail’s recent progress made in providing quality bike parking facilities at upgraded CityTrain stations but highlighted the prohibition of bikes on peak hour trains as a glaring issue in Queensland Rail’s services to bike riders.

“This is a great step forward, and we thank the Minister,” Ms Randazzo said.

“We would also like to be able to bring bikes on the G-Link tram on the Gold Coast, and a more liberal allocation for bike storage on the Tilt Train service from Brisbane to Bundaberg and Rockhampton,” Ms Randazzo said.

BQ Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy Feedback

BQ is pleased to be playing a larger role in the heavy vehicle safety space. Last month the NVHR’s 5-year heavy vehicle safety strategy was released, and our Director of Education was happy to see the partnership approach between industry, supply chain, government and community that will bring about improved safety outcomes.

Bicycle Queensland put in a response to the strategy looking to improve awareness of vulnerable road users and more clearly identify the safety improvements to older vehicles.

View the response feedback here.

If you would like to find out more about our response to this strategy, please get in touch by emailing bqinfo@bq.org.au!

Advocacy & Education – Q1 2021

Launching the Commuter Harmony Alliance, working on submissions on major issues and an on-going focus on strengthening our involvement with regional councils have been three of the major themes of Bicycle Queensland’s advocacy work in the first quarter of 2021. In the education department, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Education, Patrick, has had a busy start to 2021 as the demand for our education services increases. The development of online learning tools remains a priority to ensure we meet our statewide membership and stakeholder base.

Read the full report in detail via the link below.

Q1 2021 Advocacy & Education Report