Photo from the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Weekend 2024, supported by Bicycle Queensland. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
Bicycle Queensland is pleased to announce a comprehensive regional tour scheduled for August, in anticipation of the upcoming Queensland state election this October. The tour, led by Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack, aims to engage with local Bicycle Queensland members, candidates for local government elections, and regional councils across Queensland.
The regional tour underscores Bicycle Queensland’s commitment to advocating for cycling as a vital component of community health, sustainable transport, and tourism opportunities for the state of Queensland. Throughout the tour, Alton Twine and Andrew Demack will meet with stakeholders to discuss the benefits of cycling, effective transport planning, and the significant impact of cycling on local economies and community well-being.
Dates:
August 5, 6pm: Cairns August 6, noon: Atherton August 6, 6pm: Innisfail August 7, 6pm: Townsville – Franks Pizza, 3 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra August 12, 6pm: Noosaville August 13, 6pm: Redcliffe August 14, 6pm: Toowoomba August 19, 6pm: Mackay August 20, noon: Yeppoon August 20, 6pm: Rockhampton August 21. 6pm: Bundaberg
September 2: Gold Coast September 3: Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan September 4: Redlands September 5: Scenic Rim
(Exact locations are being finalised – email media@BQ.org.au for specific locations)
CEO Alton Twine expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tour, stating, “This tour provides an excellent opportunity for us to connect directly with our members, local leaders, and candidates. Cycling plays a crucial role in enhancing the liveability of our communities, promoting active lifestyles, and reducing traffic congestion. We look forward to discussing these important issues and advocating for better cycling infrastructure and policies.”
It’s great to see that Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has completed a pathway link from Sugarmill Road along Lomandra Drive, linking to Viola Place and Da Vinci Boulevard. This path will be a great benefit to people getting around the Brisbane Airport precinct by cycling or walking.
BAC has also announced some further active transport projects, including a secure bike parking facility at the Domestic Terminal, and plans for a corridor study at the airport to work out the best active transport routes.
These are actions from BAC’s Active Transport Strategy and Action Plan, which BAC has emailed us to say is complete. Sadly, that document is not available to the public, which makes it difficult for Bicycle Queensland and the Airport Bicycle Users Group to really engage collaboratively with BAC. From our perspective, transparency is as important as providing the infrastructure, and our message to all agencies and governments is that making your plans available to the public builds trust and respect with the community.
When you think of the world’s best cities for cycling, you probably think of Amsterdam, Copenhagen and, these days, Paris. However outside of the glamour of these world-renown bastions of cycling, there is a new wave of lesser-known cities embracing cycling and changing urban culture for the better. One of these cities is Ghent in Belgium.
The annual world cycling summit, Velo-city 2024, took place between 18-21 June 2024, in Ghent, a beautiful city that has grown up in the shadow of its more famous sister Bruges. As described on the European Cycling Federation website, Velo-city is where advocates, cities, policy makers, researchers and industry leaders meet to discuss success and experiences around cycling and sustainable urban development across a global stage.
Velo-city began in 1980 in Bremen. Since then, conferences have been held in cities all over the world, including Adelaide in 2014. This year’s event brought together community representatives, business, government, research and education partners under the theme “Connecting Through Cycling.”
The event included a lineup of speakers from the world’s top cycling experts, government officials, advocates, retailers and community representatives, accompanied by a technical Expo featuring innovative cycling-related technology, exhibits and programs.
A feature of this year’s conference was the keynote address from former Transport Commissioner for New York, Janette Sadik-Khan. Janette literally transformed significant areas of New York during the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, clearly illustrating to conference delegates what can be achieved through good planning persistence and strong leadership.
With over 80 separate conference presentations across multiple themes, Velo-city had a lot to offer delegates no matter what their interest in cycling, however the overarching theme was: here are things we have introduced to our communities and this is what has worked and what hasn’t – and here is the data and what success actually looks like.
Important messages for Queensland from Velo-City
There are many, many things to bring back to Queensland, not the least of which is that persistence pays off. Partnerships are vital to success, particularly where cycling advocacy and urban planning and design is concerned.
A contingent of urban planners from Paris told the compelling story of the transformation of Paris streets from car domination to a city where cycling is now at 11% compared to car journeys at 4%. Supporting the view of Janette Sadik-Khan, great infrastructure, programs such as bike hire schemes and policies that favour active transport modes have created this cycling revolution in a timely manner for this year’s Olympic Games.
Ghent itself is an example of what can be achieved. Progressive policies by the city over the last 20 years to restrict car access and invest in high quality cycling infrastructure throughout the City has seen cycling mode share increase to 30%. As in many European cities “cycle streets” are common in residential areas, where priority is clearly given to cyclists over cars, as denoted by large symbols on the pavement. Urban speed limits are typically 30 km/h in these areas also.
A community ride and discussion with Ghent town planners reveals that it wasn’t always this way, with the historic town centre dominated by car parks and traffic congestion only a few years ago. Today bike paths, an expanding light rail system and large public squares and buildings abound, supporting a better lifestyle for residents and allowing the city to be experienced at a more human pace.
You can support the advocacy efforts of Bicycle Queensland, plus enjoy extensive insurance and membership benefits, by signing up today.
Happy Father and son riding their bicycles by the lake. Father and son having fun together on their bikes in the park. Happy family, outdoors activities, childhood and parenting concept.
Bicycle Queensland welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a $100 million Active Transport Fund, but BQ and the other bike advocacy groups have met and assert that a more substantial commitment is needed to create meaningful change. The $100 million is a step in the right direction, but insufficient for any impact nationwide.
Working with other state bodies, Bicycle Queensland are preparing a submission to highlight our key concerns. These revolve around:
– a lack of specific deliverables and a framework for delivery. – a need to scale up investment for meaningful impact. – recognition of e-bikes and e-scooters as light EVs, as part of a lower emissions solution. – promotion of, and investment in active transport networks, including strategic cycling networks in all major cities.
Bicycle Queensland and the other state bodies appreciate the government’s efforts to promote active travel through the net-zero roadmap, however we urge a more ambitious and holistic approach so Australia can realise the full potential of active travel. We will be working on our submission, but you can read the details about the policy and have provide your own feedback via the portal right now.
Bicycle Queensland was pleased to take the opportunity to participate in Brisbane City Council’s community working group for the next and final stage of the North Brisbane Bikeway: between Price Street to Kedron Brook.
This 500 metre section of bikeway will unlock a direct connection from Sandgate and even Redcliffe, all the way to Brisbane’s CBD. As a missing link which makes a difference to every bike rider, e-bike rider and e-scooter rider on the north side of Brisbane, it is hard to understate the significance of the NBB project.
We’ve been working closely with Brisbane North Bicycle Users Group as we look for the best way to help BCC see that even with some local opposition, this project is one which benefits almost everyone, through reducing congestion and enabling safe active transport.
Making public transportation more affordable is a step in the right direction toward reducing congestion and promoting sustainable travel options. As advocates for active transport, particularly cycling, we feel it’s important to address some key areas in support of this initiative, to ensure that all commuters, including cyclists, can benefit fully from these changes.
Cycling and micromobility has a very real role in supporting more public transport trips, particularly on rail trips where the journey to and from stations needs to be considered as part of the “door to door” customer experience. Many park and ride facilities on the rail network are already full or close to capacity, so the journey to and from the station by bike needs to become a focus.
Room for bikes on trains
Currently there is limited space for bicycles on trains, for those who need to ride at each end of a rail journey. To encourage multi-modal trips where heavy or light rail doesn’t start or finish exactly where someone needs to go, bikes really help create a missing link. But if there isn’t room on trains for a bike to be stored, fewer people will be able to capitalise on the incentive.
Bike parking at stations
There is limited availability of bike parking at train stations. As more people turn to multi-modal transportation, it’s essential to prioritise secure bicycle parking facilities. By providing convenient and safe places to store bikes, we can encourage more people to choose cycling as a mode of transport for their daily commute.
Missing links in active transport networks
Seamless connections between public transport and active transport infrastructure are key. Integrating cycling routes with bus and train networks through well-planned infrastructure projects can significantly enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of multi-modal transportation options. While some routes have excellent integration, including signage, separated bike ways and secure bike parking – other areas need a lot more attention.
Capacity and facilities at train stations
Access to rail station platforms needs to be considered, looking at their use for those with luggage, the elderly, people with a disability, or those taking a bike or scooter to their final journey.
Bicycle Queensland welcomes the reduction in public transport fares, and we urge policymakers to address the above concerns to ensure that bike riders and other public transport users can fully benefit from these changes.
By prioritising investments in active transport infrastructure and addressing these issues, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive transportation system for all Queenslanders – something that is imperative with the population growth in Queensland, and the major events coming to our state in the future.
By joining Bicycle Queensland, you can get excellent insurance coverage while riding a bike or e-scooter, receive member benefits and helps the advocacy work we do.Learn more here.
On May 22, 2024 We Ride submitted a crucial proposal to the Climate Change Authority, co-authored with Bicycle Queensland and other state advocacy bodies. Our aim is clear: to ensure that the vital role of active transport, including bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, is recognised and prioritised in discussions surrounding climate action in Australia.
“Bicycle Queensland is proud to be part of this multi-jurisdictional approach to recognising the vital role that cycling plays in helping to decarbonise our transport sector.” said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. “Its not just about a transition to EV cars – Climate Change policy needs to consider the significant potential to reduce emissions that active transport modes can play if appropriate investment is made by government to support meaningful mode shift in Australian Cities.”
“Everyone who rides a bike for their daily transport and recreational purposes is contributing to a cleaner, greener and healthier planet. If Australia is to achieve its emissions targets, every sector needs to help and cycling needs to be formally considered as part of this.”
At the heart of our concern lies the omission of active transport in the Climate Change Authority’s proposal. With the urgent need to transition towards low-emission alternatives, promoting the use of bicycles and small electric vehicles emerges as a readily accessible, equitable, and affordable solution.
Currently, Australia’s investment in active transport infrastructure lags far behind international recommendations, constituting a mere 2% of expenditure compared to the suggested 20% outlined by the United Nations. This discrepancy underscores the pressing need for increased support and funding in this area.
Bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters offer a swift transition towards sustainable transportation, particularly for short trips. By prioritising incentives and infrastructure for these modes of transport, we can avoid exacerbating emissions through the rapid uptake of electric cars and the subsequent need for extensive infrastructure updates around EV charging.
As highlighted in We Ride’s submission, there is a strong public interest in active transport. However, concerns about safety persist, with two-thirds of individuals surveyed expressing reservations about the suitability of current infrastructure designed primarily for internal combustion vehicles.
We fully endorse the points raised by We Ride, including the health benefits and economic advantages associated with widespread adoption of active transport networks. In preparation for the upcoming state election in October, Bicycle Queensland urges our members to engage with local representatives to understand their stance on active transport.
Together, let’s pedal towards a greener, healthier future!
Bicycle Queensland welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of its commitment to invest in active transport infrastructure, fostering more liveable, active, and connected cities and regional centres nationwide.
Catherine King, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, announced $100 million to establish a ground breaking national Active Transport Fund. This fund aims to enhance and develop new bicycle and pedestrian pathways, promoting zero-emission travel, ensuring safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians, and fostering active and vibrant communities.
“The creation of the national Active Transport Fund marks a significant step towards building sustainable and accessible transportation options across Australia,” said Alton Twine, CEO at Bicycle Queensland. “We applaud the government’s recognition of the importance of active transport in promoting social connection, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and creating vibrant urban and regional environments. Bicycle Queensland commends the government for prioritising investments in infrastructure that enable individuals to commute to school, work, and local services safely and sustainably.”
The program guidelines for the Active Transport Fund will be collaboratively developed in consultation with states and territories. These guidelines are set to be unveiled to the public before the fund’s anticipated commencement on July 1, 2025.
Minister King emphasised the government’s commitment to creating thriving communities across urban and regional Australia.
“We want communities to thrive whether they be in cities or in the regions,” stated Minister King. “We are investing to build economic opportunity and also the opportunity for people to enjoy the spaces and places they live in, building connection and improving safety.”
“It’s great to see the federal government on board with providing transport for all users,” stated Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy. “Funding to grow and maintain an active transport network has been missing at both a federal level, and this is a fantastic first step by the government towards progressive transport investment.”
Bicycle Queensland looks forward to collaborating with the Albanese Government and stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the national Active Transport Fund, advancing the vision of healthier, more connected, and sustainable communities nationwide.
