Author: Mike Blewitt

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Advocacy Press releases

Bikeway dismount hours amended to allow evening commute

The Sono Lumo lights festival at Star Casino is causing an issue for bike and scooter riders who use the Bicentennial Bikeway. The event organisers had required that riders must dismount from 4-11pm to travel through the Festival area at Queen’s Wharf.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine said: “It is unacceptable to require bike riders to dismount on their commute home on Brisbane’s busiest bikeway. The timing applied to date is simply too restrictive. We’ve heard from plenty of members who are having to find other routes to bypass this event.”

There has been also significant protest about this blockage from Brisbane CBD BUG and Space4Cycling.

BQ had earlier spoken to Destination Brisbane Consortium before the festival began, and had offered a solution that would enable commuters to continue to ride through the space (Queen’s Wharf Plaza) which bisects the Bicentennial Bikeway at the new casino, until the end of the evening peak. 

Today BQ spoke with organisers of the event and let them know of the concerns of the cycling community, asking for a push-back on the timing that will at least allow for the evening commute to occur without interruption. Star Casino have agreed to not enforce the dismount until it is necessary for safety reasons, and have asked all bike riders to please ride slowly through the event zone. BQ’s understanding is that the requirement to dismount will now be after the evening peak. We remain concerned about this situation and will continue to monitor it until we have an outcome that allows people using this space for active transport to do so safely and conveniently. 

At the heart of the issue is the poor design choices made in this area when part of this transport corridor was surrendered to become part of this precinct. The State could have kept the bikeway separate to the multi-use area, but have compromised both the integrity of the corridor and the safety of all users by choosing not to. When an event like Sono Lumo comes along, this failure becomes all too evident.

BQ has also raised with Destination Brisbane Consortium our concern over the rumble strips placed on the bikeway near Queens Wharf Plaza without consultation with any bike groups. We believe that these strips are unnecessary, and a safety concern especially for e-scooter riders.  This is an on-going concern and we have no news to report on that matter.

It is clear that Queens Wharf Plaza must have an uninterrupted path for bike riders that can be ridden safely and conveniently 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is part of the Bicentennial Bikeway, the most popular bike route into Brisbane’s CBD.

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Press releases

2025 Bicycle Queensland Membership Pricing

On January 1 2025, Bicycle Queensland memberships will have a minor price increase. All annual memberships will have a total price increase of $4, and any monthly memberships will have an increase of 50c per month.

Annual Individual$138
Annual Household of 2$176
Annual Household of 3+$202
Annual Concession$103
Annual BQ Supporter$53
Monthly Inidividual$13.49
Monthly Household of 2$16.49
Monthly Household of 3+$18.49
Monthly Concession$10.49
Monthly BQ Supporter$5.50

We were pleased to hold pricing steady through 2024 but have needed to introduce this minor price increase in line with CPI. For more details, email bqinfo@bq.org.au or call our office on 07 3844 1144.

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Events

Ipswich 100 returns for March 2025

Get ready to mark your calendars! The Ipswich 100 is returning on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and we’re excited to invite you to take part in this thrilling fundraising event. The Ipswich 100 is one of Queensland’s premier cycling challenges, offering participants a chance to experience the region’s scenic roads, picturesque countryside, and vibrant community atmosphere. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking to test your endurance or a casual rider seeking a fun day out, the Ipswich 100 has something for everyone.

The event is an important fundraiser run by Lions Brisbane West and Ipswich Hospital Foundation, and it was originally created by Lions Brisbane West. 2025 will be their 26th event, with three distances where riders can challenge themselves and each other.

Ipswich 100 event details

  • Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025
  • Routes: Choose from multiple route options, ranging from the challenging 100 km course to the shorter 50km distance – or even the Imperial 100 mile route
  • Location: Start and finish in Ipswich, with beautiful views and exciting challenges along the way.

Why Participate?

  • Scenic Ride: Explore the picturesque roads around Ipswich and into the Scenic Rim region, showcasing Queensland’s beautiful countryside.
  • Support & Safety: Well-stocked rest stops, experienced marshals, and mechanical support to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
  • Community Event: Join fellow riding enthusiasts, local riders, and families in a supportive, inclusive atmosphere.

Registration is now open, so check out all the details on the event website, including route maps, registration information, and event updates.

We look forward to seeing you at the Ipswich 100 on March 30, 2025 – it’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss!

More details and event registration are available at the Ipswich 100 website.

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Events Press releases

Bicycle Queensland celebrate 2024

Bicycle Queensland (BQ) held a memorable end-of-year function at Queensland’s Parliament House, bringing together key figures from local and state government, industry partners, BQ’s Board of Directors and Chair, staff, Bicycle User Groups (BUGs), and long-time members to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to set the stage for future advocacy for bike and scooter riding in Queensland.

The event, which took place on the evening of 21 November, was a vibrant gathering of passionate riders, policy makers and industry leaders, all united by their shared commitment to making riding safer, more accessible, and more integrated into Queensland’s transport landscape.

A Night of Reflection and Forward Momentum

BQ’s CEO Alton Twine kicked off the evening thanking attendees for their support and outlining the significant strides made in riding infrastructure, policy, and community engagement over the past year. From expanding safe cycling routes to advocating for stronger local government partnerships, Twine praised the collective efforts that have seen cycling continue to grow as a sustainable and healthy transport option across the state.

“We’ve achieved a lot together this year,” Alton Twine said. “But there’s still more work to be done. We are just getting started, and with the support of all our partners here tonight, I have no doubt we’ll continue to make Queensland a safer and more connected place for riding.”

Bicycle Queensland’s Chair, Rachel Nolan, spoke to attendees about how essential the work that BQ does is for future proofing Queensland’s cities and regions. Of key importance, Nolan said, the fact that active transport needs to be the basis for connection for Brisbane 2032 – not an add on.

BQ also acknowledged the role of local and state governments in advancing the cause of cycling. With several elected officials in attendance, including Brisbane City Council’s Ryan Murphy, the event served as an opportunity to further strengthen relationships and discuss future initiatives aimed at improving riding infrastructure and safety.

Graham Turner of the Flight Centre Group was also in attendance, and spoke to the guests about his concerns in the e-mobility space, specifically around the high-powered e-bikes and scooters that are well beyond the legislated limits. “These are actually electric motor bikes,” Turner said, with suggestions to change the retailing and use of the bikes for improved safety in Queensland. Bicycle Queensland are working on a position statement to put forward in this regard.

A Lifetime of Advocacy

The event was also a chance to award Life Memberships. Ben Wilson and Lisa Davies-Jones were both awarded Bicycle Queensland Life Memberships for their service to Bicycle Queensland. Ben Wilson was on hand to receive his from Rachel Nolan.

As the evening continued, attendees shared ideas and made connections through an informal networking session. The evening left a sense of optimism and shared purpose as those involved in the riding movement look forward to another year of progress.

You can read through Bicycle Queensland’s Annual Report and Strategy document in our Governance section.

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Press releases

Inaugural Rail Trails and Tourism Conference a great success

From November 6-7, 2024, Bicycle Queensland co-hosted the Rail Trails and Tourism conference with Somerset Regional Council. The conference was held at Somerset Civic Centre in Esk, Queensland. The conference was made possible by support from the Queensland Government.

Wednesday November 6 was lead by Somerset Regional Council, with a focus on business opportunities on rail trails, with specific examples for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).

Attendees heard from Professor David Solnet and Professor Pierre Benckendorff from the University of Queensland, who did an extensive study on visitors to the  BVRT. They also heard from various speakers, including Peter Horman, CEO of Queensland Country Tourism. His presentation gave fascinating insights into the data driven decisions around tourism and destination marketing, helping to improve the understanding of potential market size around rail trail experiences.

Linda Tillman from Tilma Group Consultancy gave a presentation that dug into why visitor experiences that are unique and memorable are essential for any tourism offering – and rail trails are no different. There were many takeaways for this session, especially for businesses around a rail trail who are looking to attract visitors and gain word of mouth recommendations.

Dr Richard Buning from the University of Queensland delivered a presentation on cycle tourism, with a glimpse at some global best practices and how rail trails can help be part of a picture to grow cycle tourism in Queensland and Australia.

Conference attendees delved into a group session lead by Rowan Lamont from Blue Sky Trails, problem solving and brainstorming ideas to boost growth for rail trail businesses and the awareness of experiences alongside a rail trail. This was followed by a panel discussion with four different bike riders with a wide variety of experiences of using the BVRT.

A networking function was held that evening at the Esk Grand Hotel, offering a chance for attendees to catch up in a social setting – and in many cases share notes on the progress of their own projects.

Day two of the Rail Trails and Tourism conference started with a ride on the BVRT for those keen to start early, before a casual BBQ breakfast at the Somerset Civic Centre. Day 2 was delivered by Bicycle Queensland, and was all about how to build a rail trail.

This included input from Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine on the importance of rail trails in the promotion of bike riding and active lifestyles, and a presentation from Desley O’Grady, President of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail, about the importance of having a vision when taking on such a large project.

Craig England from the Department of Transport and Main Roads busted myths about how corridors are secured, explaining the process involved with a rail line becoming available for a new project. This included managing leases, sale of assets – and avoiding losing access entirely!

With the success of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, those attending the conference enjoyed an in-depth session from Iain Lonsdale from Tweed Shire Council, about the planning involved for a rail trail, including the finer details of understanding users, desired experiences, safety, limitations, climatic conditions and even material choices.

Paul Heymans, Patron of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association, dug into the history and politics around the staged development of the BVRT, including hurdles and methods used for growth, before Rowan Lamont and Andrew Demack ran through different models of operation that can be used depending on the rail trail project.

After lunch, Tiffany Stodart, Manager of Destination, Communication and Customer Experience at Tweed Shire Council, teamed up with Bicycle Queensland’s Mike Blewitt to look at how to market a rail trail. From understanding your product, your market, new target markets, the brand – and how to manage those and increase visitation. This included looking at events, media relationships and asset creation.

The two days combined for a thorough experience on building, managing and optimising rail trails and their potential to be major economic drivers in different parts of Queensland and Australia.

‘This Rail Trails and Tourism conference was a great success, and we are happy to have been able to partner with Somerset Regional Council to deliver this two day event,’ said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. ‘Many of us already know the benefits of rail trails, and how they contribute to the economic health of a region, alongside the social, mental and physical health of the communities involved – while also getting more people out on bikes!’

‘Importantly, we are now able to develop a tool kit to guide regions on how to take a rail trail from an available corridor through to a finished tourism offering, and we are hard at work creating a guide that will be available for any community groups who are ready to tackle a rail trail project.’

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Uncategorised

Bicycle Queensland Helps Establish Townsville Active Transport Advisory Group

Townsville’s bike riding, scooter riding and pedestrian communities are set to benefit from a new collaboration aimed at improving sustainable transport options across the city. Bicycle Queensland has joined forces with the Townsville City Council and local community members to establish an Active Transport Advisory Group.

After visiting Townsville during our Regional Tour in August, the need for input was clear, and since then Bicycle Queensland has been involved in assisting to set up local advocates to work closely with Townsville City Council to improve the current active transport network.

The primary objective of the group is to improve infrastructure and facilities for bike riders and pedestrians, helping to create safer, more accessible routes for those choosing active transport. By fostering a collaborative approach, the group aims to encourage more people in Townsville to leave their cars behind and embrace walking and cycling as sustainable, eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Key goals for the group include:

  • Ensuring bike lanes meet required standards
  • Working to make shared paths a safe and connected network
  • Identifying areas where infrastructure can be upgraded to support more riders and walkers
  • Advocating for policies that promote sustainable transport choices across the city
  • Encouraging a culture of sustainable transport choice across the community
Thijs Krugers from the Townsville Bicycle User Group (BUG)

Bicycle Queensland’s CEO, Alton Twine, expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “Bicycle Queensland congratulates Townsville City Council on this initiative. This advisory group is a fantastic opportunity to work directly with the local community and Townsville City Council to make meaningful improvements for bike and scooter riders, and pedestrians. By working together, we can help create a more connected, sustainable, and healthier city for all residents.

A major part of the success for this collaboration will be working with Townsville’s Bicycle User Group (BUG), who are instrumental in advocacy on the ground, with support from Bicycle Queensland.

The collaboration is expected to result in significant improvements to Townsville’s active transport infrastructure, making the city a more bike, scooter and pedestrian-friendly place to live, work, and play.

Learn more about Bicycle User Groups (BUGs)

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Uncategorised

Avoiding the ABC of bicycle riding: abrasions, bruises and cuts

Professor Narelle Haworth

The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) are assessing new cycling clothing that is designed to reduce injuries from falls or crashes. The research seeks to understand current clothing choices among bike riders, your riding experiences, and related injuries. The later steps will include laboratory tests of the garments, followed by rider tests of wearability.

The Principal Researcher is Professor Narelle Haworth from the School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT, with Associate Researcher Professor Ronald Schroeter from the School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

CARRS-Q are looking for people who are 18 or over, in Australia, who have ridden a bike in the past year. There is an anonymous survey to complete, and you can enter a prize draw to win one of four $250 gift vouchers. The survey closes on 1st February 2025.

Head to this link to find out more details.

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Advocacy Press releases

CEO Message: The Queensland Election

Dear BQ Members,

The state government election now less than one week away.

In August and September, Bicycle Queensland met with members, people interested in cycling, communities and candidates across Queensland, advocating for a better deal for cyclists and scooter riders in the forthcoming election. We also wrote to the Minister and Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads to support better outcomes for riders through better policy, programs and funding. 

The Minister’s letter in response to our CEO cited the current government’s record of achievements in building active transport projects, but did not make any commitments to increased funding in future. The Shadow Minister acknowledged our letter.

Our discussions focused on the 7 key improvements that governments can make. These are:

  1. Aim for 10% of trips by active transport by 2032 and commit 10% of the transport budget to making it happen.
  2. Fill in the missing links in the network.
  3. Maintain what is there already
  4. Improve signage for safety and wayfinding
  5. Look for cycle tourism opportunities
  6. Engage with users
  7. Build more shared paths and bikeways

In an election dominated by issues of youth crime, ambulance ramping, housing supply and the cost of living, cycling hasn’t rated much of a mention. When the major parties do talk about transport issues, its usually around “fixing” the Bruce highway and improving public transport. Big expensive items. Yet bike riding is for everyone everywhere and major improvements can be done for a fraction of the cost.

In the lead up to Saturday, we encourage everyone who has an interest in better outcomes for cycling and riding to contact their local candidates and let them know how important bike riding is to you and to all Queenslanders.

Regards

Alton