Author: Ethan Grimley

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Bicycle Queensland introduces new interim CEO, Lisa Davies Jones

The Board of Bicycle Queensland wishes to advise members that from Monday 8 May, our CEO since 2019, Rebecca Randazzo will be departing the organisation to be replaced by Interim CEO, Lisa Davies Jones.

Lisa is a passionate cyclist, a long-time volunteer Director of the organisation and an experienced CEO who has worked in both the Health and Fitness sectors. Lisa enjoys riding as both a commuter and social rider and also competes in the occasional masters road race and time trail event.

Lisa looks forward to working with the Board and the Bicycle Queensland’s dedicated team of staff to continue to grow the number of people riding. Lisa has a particular interest in supporting more women to start riding, through access to networks of other women riders across Queensland.

As she leaves BQ, the board thanks outgoing CEO Rebecca Randazzo for her commitment to the organisation over more than three years.

Rebecca has been a passionate advocate for cycling.  She has steered the organisation through the challenging times of COVID and the 2022 flooding of our office at Milton, delivered great advocacy wins such as the introduction of the Brisbane CityLink Cycleway and an expansion in Queensland Government support for rail trails, modernised the member experience and developed the successful HER Ride program.

As members know, Bicycle Queensland is a wonderful organisation. We have been around since 1979, today have 13,000 members and have delivered years of significant advocacy wins, great events and strong support for bike riders.

We look forward to continuing to support you our members in the months and years ahead and to working with you to make Queensland a better place by getting more people riding more often.

Your sincerely,

Rachel Nolan

Chair

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Events Uncategorised

BRISBANE TO GOLD COAST CYCLE CHALLENGE UPDATE

Bicycle Queensland is pleased to announce it has entered into an exciting partnership with Mater Foundation to propel the iconic Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge into the future.

The flagship cycling event returns in 2023 on Sunday 27 August and will be known as the “Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer ”. It will continue as a highly credible, respected and safe bicycle ride from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, utilising the Brisbane busway for a traffic-free rider experience.

In addition to benefitting cyclists, the new partnership will improve the health of communities across Queensland by supporting Mater’s world-class cancer research and patient care initiatives across an extensive network of hospitals.

Under the partnership, Mater Foundation will be the primary organiser of the event, backed by its considerable experience and existing resources delivering major community events and cycling activities, including International Women’s Day Fun Run and Mater Smiling for Smiddy.

Bicycle Queensland will remain an active contributor to the continued success of the event by delivering cycling safety and education initiatives, along with maintaining exclusive benefits for BQ’s 15,000+ members.

This partnership is committed to delivering on Bicycle Queensland’s vision of strengthening cycling participation to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, while also supporting Mater’s mission to improve the lives of people fighting cancer.

Bicycle Queensland members can register their interest to receive their exclusive entry benefits when Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer officially launches in May. Visit www.b2gc.com.au

B2GC BRIDGE START
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Uncategorised

2023 Membership Price Update

Dear Members,  

As the year comes to end, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support through what has been an incredibly challenging year for Bicycle Queensland (BQ). This year has seen BQ overcome losing our office in the February floods and cancelling the Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge event due to circumstances outside our control. We have a long way to go, but your support has enabled us to continue the critical advocacy and education work we do across Queensland.  

Our recent trip to the Annual Local Government Authority conference in Cairns has enabled us to connect with councillors and reinforce our campaigning on the role riding plays in connecting communities and building a robust adventure tourism industry. Our new heavy vehicle virtual reality experience is another example of how we continue to innovate the way we educate road users to work towards a safer and more harmonious transport network.   

Whilst there is still much to do, we continue to work hard to achieve our mission of getting more people riding more often. To ensure we can continue to provide a comprehensive membership, we’ll be increasing the cost of our membership categories from 1st January 2023.   

TypeMonthlyAnnually
Individual$12.99$134
Household of 2 $15.99 $172
Household of 3+$17.99 $198
Individual Concession$9.99 $99
BQ Supporter (excludes insurance) $5.00 $49

This increase will ensure you retain the best value-for-money cycling membership in Australia. You will also retain the same level of insurance, which is the best insurance product available. I thought it was important to share with you what this increase will also allow us to:  

  • Continue to develop the City Link bike way after confirmation it will become a permeant piece of infrastructure  
  • Advocate for making spaces for passengers to bring their bikes on the Tilt Train from Rockhampton to Brisbane, opening up cycle tourism possibilities and connections with regional rail trails. 
  • Invest and develop new technologies to educate all road users and encourage more people to ride   
  • Develop and invest in new digital tools to improve communication and the membership process  
  • Improve digital platforms to work strategically with regional and metropolitan Bicycle User Groups  
  • Develop new events in partnership with like-minded organisations to reach and service members outside southeast Queensland  
  • Assist us to meet the rising cost of insurance and operational expenses  

This increase will enable us to continue to provide the quality and breadth of services you love and expect from us. If you have any questions about the price increase or membership packages, don’t hesitate to contact me or our membership team.

Happy and safe riding.

Rebecca Randazzo

Bicycle Queensland, CEO

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Advocacy Bikeway detours and closures Partner News Uncategorised

UQ Lakes Station Works

Major construction has commenced at UQ Lakes station in St Lucia. Bike riders will see changed conditions through the area as construction takes place. The Eleanor Schonell Bridge bikeway will be temporarily closed, but alternatives routes to navigate the affected area can be found below.

You can find more details of the construction notice here.

To find out more details check out the Councils website here.

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Advocacy Uncategorised

Gold Coast recycling hub idea takes shape

Recycles Parts

Wouldn’t it be great if regular bike riders (such as Bicycle Queensland members for instance) had somewhere local that they could drop off for recycling those consumable items of bike riding, such as tyres, tubes and chains?

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a central location for people who are interested in low-cost bike riding could access second-hand parts, especially those items such as cranks, saddles, seat posts, and wheels which often have a useful life long after they are no longer the latest and greatest.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was somewhere for mums and dads (such as Bicycle Queensland members for instance) to be able to donate children’s bikes and even adult bikes which are no longer needed but still have plenty of useful life ahead of them?

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a central training location in our largest regional city for bicycle shops to send trainee mechanics, which also had the side benefit of fixing up low-cost donated bikes to go to worthy recipients?

The City of Gold Coast is looking at all these ideas coming together in a cycling/recycling hub. The City’s Water and Waste team hosted the first public discussions on the idea this week, and Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack was there to support the concept.

Also represented in industry and community meetings were bike retailers and manufacturers, as well as groups such as Men’s Sheds and community bike repair groups.

“Bicycle Queensland’s members have so much to contribute to this type of Council-led project,” Demack said.

“We are enthusiastically supporting this project and hope to see it move from concept to pilot as soon as possible. I am sure that there are local groups in Brisbane and all the major regional cities which would love to see councils engage in proactively promoting a circular economy approach to the bike industry and many other industries.

“Bikes are well-suited to be ahead of the curve on this because the bike riding community is already very engaged on sustainability and recycling,” Demack said.

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Advocacy Press releases

Bicycle Queensland Mountain Biking in National Parks Position Statement

Media Release – Thursday 28 July 2022.

Bicycle Queensland has released a position statement supporting the further development of sustainable mountain bike trails in National Parks (and other land tenures).

“Bicycle Queensland believes that the key to unlocking the benefits of mountain biking is the access to land on which to build sustainable trail networks,” said Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo.

“This will need the collaboration of the mountain bike community, First Nations people, State and Local Government agencies, coupled with the development of a robust environmental framework which would guide the planning and construction of sustainable trail networks in National Parks and many other land management tenures,” said Ms Randazzo (a keen mountain bike rider).

Mountain biking as a sport, recreational and adventure tourism activity continues to grow in popularity throughout Australia. A diverse range of people are discovering the freedom and connection to nature mountain biking offers. It can provide a unique antidote to the pressures of modern living and an appreciation of our indigenous heritage.

The social, health and environmental benefits of mountain biking are well documented. Participants get closer to nature, it keeps them fit, healthy and active, improves mental and physical health thereby reducing the future burden on the health system.

Mountain bikers have a strong appreciation for nature, and riding in natural areas has caused them to change their behaviour to take better care of the environment.

“Bicycle Queensland already collaborates with local trail care and mountain biking community groups, especially in south-east Queensland,” Ms Randazzo said.

“Mountain biking is a growth sport, and Bicycle Queensland sees that it has potential benefits not just for the health of those riding their bikes, but also economically through increased eco-tourism,” Ms Randazzo said.

Please direct all enquiries to Andrew Demack at bqinfo@bq.org.au

view the statement here

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Advocacy

Bicycle Queensland advocates for the extension of the E-Vehicle rebate to E-Bikes

Bicycle Queensland has welcomed the State Government’s new incentives for electric vehicle purchases, but says they don’t go far enough.

“E-bikes are the original zero-emission vehicles, and they are even better for the environment than electric cars,” according to Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack.

“E-bikes require fewer resources to manufacture and run, and they are more efficient because of their relative lightweight, and the physical input of the person riding. In every way e-bikes are better for the environment than electric vehicles,” Demack said.

“We support the State Government’s initiative to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, especially for business. Logically, if we are giving financial incentives for people to leave fossil-fuel-powered vehicles behind, then e-bikes fall right into that same category.”

One of Australia’s largest commercial enterprises, Australia Post, has switched to small electric trikes which fall outside the regulations for e-bikes, so they have to be registered. Even with that added cost of registration, Australia Post sees a cost-benefit advantage in changing over their entire delivery fleet to small electric vehicles.

Bicycle Queensland urged the Queensland Government to think big and think wide when tackling the issues of climate change and sustainable transport.

“Just because a technology has been available for a while it doesn’t mean it should be discounted or sidelined. In Queensland, we’ve only just begun to see the benefits of e-bikes for commuting and utility trips. In many cities around the world cargo e-bikes are taking a much more prominent role as commercial vehicles, especially for delivery in congested inner-city areas,” Demack said.

In a letter to Transport and Main Roads Minister the Hon Mark Bailey, and Energy and Renewables Minister the Hon Mick de Brenni, Bicycle Queensland put forward the idea of a $1000 rebate on e-bikes, with a further $500 rebate if the e-bike owner also reduces the number of cars registered in Queensland.

“We have heard so often from e-bike retailers that customers are buying e-bikes for their family as a replacement for a second car. This has great financial benefits for those families, but also for Queensland. Fewer cars on the road mean lower emissions and less traffic congestion. Surely this is something that the Queensland Government should embrace!”

The average Brisbane family now spends more than $23,000 per year on transport, about 17% of household income. Let’s give Queensland families the nudge they need to ditch the second car, go green, reduce emissions, and live healthier lives.

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Events

B2GC Postponed

Due to the high circulation of COVID-19 and the flu in the community, as well as the significant rain fall in SEQ over May, June and July, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Downer Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge (B2GC) this year.  

These ongoing challenges are making it extremely difficult for us to deliver the event to the safety standards we set and are affecting a number of our wonderful volunteers and event contractors.   

B2GC will now be held on Sunday 23 October 2022. 

We know so many of you are looking forward to participating in our event next Sunday, and our priority now is to work with our sponsors, stakeholders and relevant authorities to make B2GC as enjoyable as possible for our community.  

To find out information about the new date and revised participation options please visit the website here. All registered participants should receive an email today with further information regarding updated event information.  

If you have any further queries, please email events@bq.org.au.  

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Queensland’s most cherished and iconic riding event in October.

Until then, safe and happy riding.  

All relevant information can be found here.