The 2020 State Election, to be held in the midst of the most serious public health crisis in a century, highlights the importance of active transport and regular physical activity in improving population health.
Bicycle Queensland’s priorities for the 2020 election fall into three areas:
Funding for the Principal Cycle Network
Safety of vulnerable road users around heavy vehicles
Cycle tourism and rail trails
Read through BQ’s 2020 State Election Infographic below and our letter to the premier here.
Brisbane’s most exciting stat out of the whole survey shows up in how people expect their transport use will change. In Brisbane, use of the bicycle as a transport mode is up 36%, which is great. What is more surprising is the expected (future) use of the bicycle is up 71%.
In comparison, the expected use of cars and motorcycles is to stay the same, with train and bus public transport is expected to be down 15%.
Brisbane specific statistics highlight a major increase in bike usage as a mode of transport.
Data from road and public transport authorities show both private vehicle and public transport use was down during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. Sadly, private vehicle use has rebounded close to previous levels. Public transport use remains around 35-40% of previous levels.
The survey found that ‘personal health and safety’ has moved ahead of convenience in as a determining factor for the choice of transport mode.
Of the six factors influencing transport mode choice in the survey, sustainability remains the bottom of the list.
Transurban is not a neutral observer in this process. Their report reflects this, urging Governments to bring forward major road projects in response. They say these projects must include active transport options, saying “our survey showed an increased of up to 27% in cycling in most cities”.
Bicycle Queensland sees these results as confirmation of the findings of the survey we ran during the pandemic. Similarly, our survey found that 80% of respondents said they planned to cycle the same or more after the pandemic.
In conclusion, these survey results highlight the need for greater investment in active transport. For instance, it highlights the need for a safer environment for people switching from public transport, but also to provide those people driving motor vehicles, trapped in even greater congestion, to have another option to save time and money while boosting sustainability back up to its rightful place as a transport choice factor.
Please note extended changes to the temporary closures of Victoria Park pedestrian and cycle path. The UNITY Alliance has notified Bicycle Queensland the following statement:
The UNITY Alliance wishes to advise cyclists and pedestrians that intermittent off-peak closures of the Victoria Park shared user path behind Brisbane Girls Grammar School will be undertaken until late August 2020.
These intermittent closures will be implemented outside morning and afternoon peak periods between 9:00am and 4:00pm between Monday and Saturday.
In light of Carolyn Lister’s tragedy last month, BQ’s CEO Rebecca Randazzo is asking for a national change to cyclist and heavy vehicle safety.
Rebecca expresses her concern for cyclists interacting with heavy vehicles stating that “while road design and upgrades responsibilities fall to State Governments, more can be done at the federal level to facilitate safer interactions between heavy vehicles and cyclists.”
In this letter, Rebecca has asked for the mandating of sensors and cameras on heavy vehicles to be added to the Transport Infrastructure Council Meeting agenda.
Read the full letter to the Deputy Prime Minister here.
If you are a commuter through Victoria Park, please note the temporary shared path changes below.
UNITY Alliance will need to extend the off-peak closures of the Victoria Park shared user path behind Brisbane Girls Grammar School intermittently until Friday 31 July 2020.
The extension is due to a number of factors. This includes the recent wet weather, impacting the production of the shotcrete retaining wall and affecting site ground conditions.
These intermittent closures will be implemented outside morning and afternoon peak periods. This will be between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm between Monday and Saturday.
Traffic management will be in place and pedestrians and cyclists will be detoured via Gregory Terrace and College Road during the temporary intermittent closures.
Signage will be in place to direct pedestrians and cyclists around works areas. Please observe the directions of traffic control while passing through the area.
View the PDF document on these temporary shared path changes here.
The impact of COVID-19 has seen more people cycling to improve mental and physical health. As we transition to a new normal, we encourage everyone incorporate cycling into your daily routine in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. This means
We are passionate about people cycling, however we want to make sure your ride is fun, easy and above all, safe. That’s why we’ve created a quick video series that covers the bike basics on safety, etiquette as well as what bike gear to wear and more. Watch all 5 in order below:
Bike Basics Part 1: Helmet Fitting
Bike Basics Part 2: ABC Bike Check
Bike Basics Part 3: What to Wear & How to Prepare
Bike Basics Part 4: Planning Your Ride
Bike Basics Part 5: Etiquette and Safety
For more educational resources like road rules and bike security, head to our education page here. Additionally, if you have any suggestions or want specific resources for your workplace or school, get in touch!
Before COVID-19, 800,000 people across Queensland cycled every week, with higher than average participation rates occurring in Mackay, Gladstone and Cairns.
Cycling has increased 300% in popularity during COVID-19 as it provides a way for people of all ages to remain connected to their community whilst maintaining physical and mental health. It is important we sustain this momentum around cycling in a post-COVID19 world.
BQ’s CEO, Rebecca Randazzo, wrote to the Premier about the impact that $22 million in funding will have on cycling across the state.
View the one pager here, and read the letter to the Premier here.
It has been an eventful three months navigating through COVID-19 at BQ. Despite a brief transition to a work from home structure, we have continued to advocate for safer cycling across QLD.
Read about the projects we have advocated for to improve cycling safety and accessibility in the link below.
Not included in this list are regular communications with BQ members and other bike riders on safety and infrastructure issues across the state.
