Bicycle Queensland has recently submitted our recommendations for the 2022-2023 State budget. The focus area of our submission is to promote more people riding more often. The recommendations focus on investment in infrastructure, cycle tourism and getting more women and kids riding.
Read the full submission below.
An open letter by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and a global coalition of pro-cycling organisations urging governments to cut transport emissions by investing in cycling has seen a surge in support from all over the world.
Since it was published on 2 November, over 190 civil society organisations have added their signature to the letter, which now counts more than 250 signatories from all over the world, including ECF, Greenpeace and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The letter calls on governments at COP26 to commit to significantly increasing the number of people who cycle in their countries in order to reach climate goals quickly and effectively.
As the global pro-cycling movement continues to grow ahead of COP26 Transport Day (10 November), which is set to focus almost exclusively on the electrification of road vehicles, governments and transport ministers will be under pressure to take cycling into account when negotiating climate commitments related to the transport sector.
Today, transportation is responsible for 24% of direct CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, with the vast majority coming from cars, and these numbers are not decreasing. With global temperaturs rising fast, humanity cannot afford to wait decades for fossil-fuel cars to be fully phased out and replaced by electric vehicles. To quickly cut transport emissions on a massive scale and keep 1.5°C alive, governments need to invest in much more cycling now.
ECF and its allies believe cycling represents one of humanity’s greatest hopes for a shift towards a zero-carbon future. Cycling produces zero emissions, delivers far-reaching positive societal impacts and relies on technology that is already widely available today.
The more than 250 signatories to the open letter call on governments and transport ministers attending COP26 to declare commitments to significantly boost cycling levels at home and collectively commit to achieving a global target of higher cycling levels. The letter was sent to governments ahead of COP26.
Bicycle Queensland is in full support of this movement. More people cycling more often is our goal and a global movement to get more people on bikes is incredibly important.
Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “The dramatic growth of this global civil society movement in only a few days sends a forceful message to governments at COP26 about the importance of active mobility. There is no conceivable way to reduce CO₂ emissions quickly enough to avoid the worst of the climate crisis without significantly more cycling.”
Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “More people riding bicycles will reduce our transport emissions and help save our planet. It will also stimulate our green economic recovery after COVID-19 and relieve our overburdened public health systems. Investing in cycling is a low-cost, low-tech no-brainer. It is what any sensible political leader should be doing right now.”
Read the open letter to governments at COP26: www.cop26cycling.com
This article was created by the European Cyclist Federation.
As the dust settles from a fantastic Downer Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge, we reflect on some of the incredible stories of the event and the opportunities bike riding brings to people’s lives.
Ollie and his Father Scott took on the 100km challenge this year and completed it like true champions. Ollie, 14, faces more challenges than most when getting on the bike, he is legally blind and was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye) at birth. He has spent his fair share of time in hospital fighting his battle, but that has never stopped him from getting back on the bike.
The B2GC event was a massive day for Ollie, completing his longest ride with the added challenge of another 4,300 plus riders in the mix. Scott and Ollie found their rhythm pretty quickly and were on their way to the Gold Coast at a very nice pace. Like normal, Ollie followed Dad’s wheel into rest stop 1 with barely a sweat on, a croissant, mandarin and the boys were back on the bike.
The duo found themselves helping a few other riders along the way by taking the wind in a little pace line that had formed behind them. A quick check-in from Dad received a cheeky “you can go faster if you want”. The pair rolled into the Coomera rest stop in good shape, a quick bite to eat and they were on the home stretch for Ollie’s biggest ride.
Strongly turning the wheels through the last few kilometres of the course, Ollie and Scott hit the finish line just past 9.30 am. Ollie’s Mum had planned to meet her boys at 11.30 am to see them cross the line in Southport. However, Ollie smashed all expectations and was simply too quick for Mum on this occasion.
Scott let us know how proud Ollie was of what he had just achieved, a very impressive milestone to add to his collection. A 100km ride is an incredible achievement for any rider, but to think young 14-year Ollie with Retinoblastoma breezed through this event goes to show no matter what life throws at you, anything is possible!
Thank you to Scott for sending in this wonderful story, we are thrilled to see the happiness bike riding brings to peoples lives and we can’t wait to have Ollie and Scott involved next year.
Dear members
As we move through the spring weather, I wanted to update you all on the work we have been doing to shape our riding agenda and the next phase of our work.
As Queensland’s point of connection for the future of riding, we have been working hard to reach out into regional areas, ensuring all riders, irrespective of where they live, have access to our member benefits and are represented in our advocacy voice. Since my last update, we have welcomed over 300 new members and congratulate Rob van Manen on his appointment as President. Rachel Nolan to Vice president, and Peter Thompson to Secretary at the recent Annual General Meeting. As we come out of a difficult two-year period, I wish to thank members for their ongoing support to Bicycle Queensland (BQ).
BQ continues to flex our advocacy muscle and now represent members on over 20 panels and steering groups across the state. BQ has been recently appointed a member of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee. The first meeting was held in Esk and outlined the forward plan of capital works from TMR and the four Councils which the trail runs through; Ipswich, Somerset, Toowoomba and South Burnett. The Steering Committee will give guidance and feedback as the authorities implement the BVRT Strategic Plan. Our top priority in physical terms for the BVRT is a program of tree planting in the exposed sections between Esk and Moore. The trail becomes an unpleasantly hot place to be in summer, and we want to promote its use all year round!
In addition, BQ has a seat at the table at the Sunshine Coast Active Travel Advisory Committee, with the first meeting held in Caloundra. We support the ATAC model, which has been beneficial in Brisbane, with strong support from key political decision-makers, including the Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey. Minister Bailey was present at this initial meeting of the Sunshine Coast committee, which was very helpful.
A stern test of the committee’s mettle will be discussions on a proposed Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade. BQ members at Caloundra have asked for our help in opposing this project in its current form, which puts a four-lane road through a green zone. We will report back on how this goes, but BQ, Qld Walks, and the local active transport advocates from Caloundra have requested an on-site meeting to see if there are alternatives to removing mature shade trees for this project.
Sunday, 17th October saw the community take to the streets for our 16th Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge. A big thank you to Downer group, our principal partner, who, without their support, the day would not be possible. We welcomed over 4,300 riders across a new course with 40km, 60km and 100km challenges offered. It was wonderful to connect with members, volunteers, and partners on what was a beautiful day to ride your bike. I’m proud to announce that our riders have raised over $100,000 for our event charity partner, Stronger For Longer.
Our education services continue to gain momentum and importantly sow the seeds for our ten-year strategy. These services have included the creation of content for new and experienced riders via blog posts, video series and online learning modules. Our impact in schools is growing with curriculum-aligned programs being delivered in pre-schools and primary schools across southeast Queensland. I am excited to announce the work we are undertaking with CARRS-Q to develop an Audio Visual (AV) curriculum which, when completed, provides a connection to secondary schools and workplaces.
I’m very proud of the work we have progressed in the Women’s advocacy space and the considerations we are taking to understand how we can support more women to ride for their health and wellbeing. Our HerRIDE campaigns are proving very popular and encourage members to save the date on 27th November for our HERride MTB day at Gap creek.
Until next time, happy and safe riding.
Rebecca Randazzo
Brisbane City Council has released concept designs for the next stage of the North Brisbane Bikeway. This is an excellent step forward, making a safe, convenient and direct connection all the way to Eagle Junction and beyond.
The below announcement from Brisbane City Council:
Brisbane City Council is pleased to release the proposed concept design for the North Brisbane Bikeway: Price Street to Kedron Brook project between Dickson Street, Wooloowin and Jackson Street, Clayfield.
Attached is a copy of the project newsletter with information about the project, along with an invitation to have your say on proposed design options within the project alignment to finalise the connection between Price Street and the Kedron Brook Bikeway.
You can have your say via an online survey, which can be accessed from the North Brisbane Bikeway: Price Street to Kedron Brook project page on our website. The online survey closes on 19 November 2021.
Alternatively, you can speak with the project team at two community information sessions:
All feedback received from the community will be considered by Council and used to inform the final design for the project.
If you agree with the need for this bikeway, please have your say as part of the public consultations.
Find all the information about the project HERE
Brisbane City Council has advised there will be a number of shared path and bikeway closures from Thursday the 23rd to Saturday 25th of September as a result of the Riverfire event.
Story bridge Western footpath from 8am 23rd September to 8.30pm 25th September.
Goodwill bridge closed from 4-8pm Saturday.
Story bridge Eastern footpath 6.15-8pm Saturday.
New Farm Riverwalk 6.30-7.15pm Saturday.
Bikeways and shared paths around South Brisbane and Brisbane CBD may be impacted by large numbers of pedestrians during the Riverfire event. Please exercise caution when navigating through these affected areas.
Road Closure information may be found at https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/sunsuper-riverfire-road-closures
Please see below notifications from Brisbane City Council regarding the decommissioning works of the City Cycle Stations.
Cycle stations affected:
If you have any questions about these works, please visit Council’s website for the latest programs.
Cross River Rail have notified Bicycle Queensland of an upcoming shared path lane closure at Dutton Park train station. The lane closure is scheduled to take place this week and forms part of the upgrade works associated with the CRR project.
The planned works with involve the temporary closure of one lane on the shared path and will remain in place until early 2022. The lane reduction from two to one will affect a small portion of the pathway, but will still enable riders and pedestrians to pass through the affected area.
If you would like more information email: info@crossriverrail.gov.au
