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.
COVID-19 has seen an increase in cycling for health and the daily commute, as people avoid public transport.
Bicycle Queensland (BQ) commissioned an EoT survey and found that people are not happy with the hygiene standards or communication over cleaning routines.
To help cyclists and businesses develop solutions to current problems in their end of trip facilities, BQ has created a best practice guide for EoT users and managers.
“We want to make the most of the bike boom and help promote alternative modes of transport,” BQ’s Director of Education, Patrick Trowse said.
“EoT fit outs should accommodate the needs of their users and this is not always the case,” Mr Trowse said.
Mr Trowse said user numbers increase when hygiene standards are adequate, and businesses should strive to maintain this so people feel confident and comfortable when arriving to after active travel.
We have a range of expert EoT facility partners who are ready to help with fit outs and other EoT services,” Mr Trowse said.
Recently, BQ called for State Government funding to support increased cycling in workplaces and Queensland is now well-positioned to support workplaces with bike parking, electric bike charging points, active transport salary packaging and essential education and training.
“Cities need to accommodate different transportation methods while maintaining appropriate safety norms,” BQ’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Randazzo said.
Now is a great time for Queensland to expand the horizons for health and lifestyle.
To achieve our goal of being Australia’s healthiest state, action must be taken to support education on safe bike riding in all its forms, particularly to and from work.
For more information on how to promote safety in your EoT facility contact bqinfo@bq.org.au.
Cuore is Italian for Heart, and our heart is on the roads, trails and race tracks that our two wheels take us. Founded in 1989, CUORE has forged its place as the leading company for custom cycling apparel.
We are excited to reveal our first BQ x CUORE Jersey design ever – just in time for next month’s event, Pedal QLD! If you pre-order between the 29th June – 7th July, you’ll get your jersey just in time to wear during the Pedal QLD challenge.
Head to the link HERE and enter BQ-2020 to get early access! While you’re there you can check out the matching socks, bibs and arm sleeves as well 🙌
The bikeway will remain open, with the width reduced in some areas while works are underway. Works will include:
– A drill rig and support vehicles
– Temporary fencing around the exclusion area
– Workers in the exclusion area undertaking drilling and test pit works
– Intermittent noise while drilling occurs.
Read the full construction notice here
Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said bikeways and shared paths will give a massive economic, health and sustainability benefit to Queensland local authorities which are now eligible to receive their share of $500 million of Federal stimulus money.
The Federal Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program has made $41,282,528 available to local governments in Queensland, to be spent in the 20-21 financial year. All councils have to do is submit a work schedule outlining the projects.
Cycling and walking paths are specifically listed as eligible community infrastructure for this program.
The State Government’s own assessment program for bicycle infrastructure has demonstrated that each dollar spent on bikeways can return up to $5 in benefit to the community.
Bicycle Queensland is working with local bicycle advocacy groups across the state to help communities determine what new paths they would like to see built as part of this program.
“Thousands of Queenslanders started riding their bikes more during the pandemic, and many more were walking more for exercise,” Ms Randazzo said.
A survey commissioned by Bicycle Queensland of more than 3000 people across the state found that 81% of the respondents wanted to keep riding their bikes after the pandemic.
“Now is a great time for local Governments to use this post-COVID stimulus money to bring about positive change in their communities.
“More people cycling and walking makes for a healthier community. It helps address our national obesity crisis. It contributes to lowering pollution and carbon emissions.”
“And best of all, if we plan the paths wisely, it has a 500% return on investment. Surely every local government in Queensland wants to be part of that,” Ms Randazzo said.
Sources:
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program/index.aspx
Queensland Department for Transport and Main Roads Infrastructure Benefit Evaluations: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling/Research-and-resources/Infrastructure-benefit-evaluations
Cycling during COVID-19 survey: https://bq.org.au/news/riding-a-bike-is-39-times-better-than-going-to-the-gym-queenslanders-say/
Release by Bicycle Queensland.
More information or comment from
Rebecca Randazzo, CEO
Email: r.randazzo@bq.org.au or phone 0411 260 336
Andrew Demack, Director of Advocacy
Email a.demack@bq.org.au, or phone 0411 688 460
Ferny Grove State School Principal, Brett Shackleton, said that more families are travelling to school together by bike. He adds that it’s now common to see a bottleneck at most gates in the school as keen cyclists try to get a good spot in the bike racks.
“We’ve had to provide temporary bike racks just to make do in the interim,” Mr Shackleton said.
Riding to school is important, as 39% of Queenslanders are not getting enough exercise and screen time dominates the home school environment. The bicycle commute is a simple way for communities to get their 60 minutes of accumulated physical activity a day and combat screen fatigue.
Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Education, Patrick Trowse is thrilled so many kids are riding to school again.
“Commuting to school not only covers the daily exercise needs, but also gives students an opportunity for growth and development.
“As bike paths and racks fill up, it is time to push for improved conditions for cycling, so that even more families will consider riding to school,” Mr Trowse said.
Bicycle Queensland wrote to the QLD Premier, the Hon Anastacia Palaszczuk, Minister for Health, the Hon Steven Miles MP, the Minister for Small Business, the Hon Shannon Fentiman MP, and the Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young for assistance in this matter.
Our letter outlined that bike shops are essential services for cyclists and must remain open (with appropriate safeguards) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full letter here
We quoted Bronwyn Victor, owner of Planet Cycles in Woolloongabba, who said there was no question that bike shops should keep trading.
“Bicycle use is now more than ever essential, for both transport and mental and physical health. It is imperative that bicycle stores remain able to function for both servicing and supply of vital parts and accessories (e.g tyres, tubes, helmets, lights, brake pads) to keep these people moving safely,” Bronwyn said.
We highlighted that bicycle food delivery services and bike courier services provide valuable support to our small businesses, hospitality and logistic industries. For many restaurateurs and small businesses, bicycles are critical in providing home delivery services and is the only way they can continue to trade during the pandemic.
In efforts to validate the need for bike shops, the BQ team encouraged the bike-riding community to support their local bike shop on our social media channels. As an authority on advocacy and education, we also offered guidance on appropriate measures for social distancing to enable bike shops to continue to trade safely. The Facebook campaign encouraging people to tag their local bike shop was very successful, with more than 130 comments from our community showing appreciation for their local bike shop.
Read the Draft Strategic Plan here
The trail has an extensive history and covers the three local government areas of Somerset, Toowoomba and South Burnett. Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy participated in the strategy workshop held in Esk in late 2019, and we have now submitted a response to the draft strategy.
Read BQ’s response to the draft strategic plan here
While BQ wholeheartedly agrees with the main points of the strategy, there remains an open question as to whether TMR is the right department to develop, govern and market a tourism asset. As rail trails are not a transport asset, it is highly unlikely for TMR to prioritise the BVRT. Despite the fact, the tourism potential of rail trails across the state is substantial. As an example, the Central Otago rail trail in NZ generates more than 15,000 visits each year and injects upwards of $12 million annually into a regional economy.
Rail trails provide a scenic, off-road experience for cyclists of all skill levels and ages. As a way of introducing rail trails to a broader audience, Bicycle Queensland has been holding events on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail for the past five years. Queensland has four major rail trails either planned, under construction, or now completed. All of them have potential to become economically successful tourism spots if there is enough support and investment behind the idea.
Bicycle Queensland believe there is a mountain of potential to hold events and boost tourism in the South Burnett and Far North Queensland area through the trails. We hope to explore the trail possibilities in Central Queensland as well as we move forward.
