Somerset Regional Council along with Experience Somerset, have just installed a new bike node along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Fernvale. Fernvale is a popular stop on the route, and for many riders an ideal turnaround point after a ride from Ipswich, or even a launching point if they have driven out to ride the trail.
The bike node is a free self-service station for bike riders. It has bike repair tools, a tyre pump, water refill station, E-bike battery charging power points and a bike rack. The bike node was installed at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre on 16 October 2024 and is already receiving positive feedback from the community and visitors to the Somerset region.
Gavin Rook of Auckland, New Zealand and his brother Craig, were among the first to use the bike node, during a three-day ride of Australia’s longest recreational rail trail.
“It’s been fantastic. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is nicely maintained, has good signage and nice bridge crossings. It’s been a really smooth ride,” Mr Rook said.
The bike node is available 24/7 and is located at the northern end of the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre.
Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the bike node is a welcome addition to Fernvale.
“Cycling is a fantastic way to explore our beautiful region, and this bike node enhances the experience for locals and visitors alike,” Cr Wendt said. “It’s an investment by council that makes a big difference in promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable tourism. By providing these services for cyclists, we’re not just supporting outdoor recreation; we’re also strengthening our community’s commitment to eco-friendly transport and tourism initiatives.”
“We’re proud to see positive feedback already rolling in from users like Gavin and Craig. Their experience highlights the importance of accessibility and convenience for those who choose to ride our trails.”
Bicycle Queensland welcomes this addition, but we recommend all users of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail carry their ride essentials – just as they would on any ride.
In good news, the CityLink Cycleway is set to expand from East Brisbane to West End, resulting in a four-kilometre link using two Brisbane River crossings. The Schrinner Council announced the third stage of the CityLink Cycleway today. This will add two new projects, the first involving a new 1.2-kilometre shared path from Deakin Street at Kangaroo Point to Shafston Avenue at East Brisbane. The Shafston Avenue bikeway will connect to the existing CityLink Cycleway at Kangaroo Point.
This connection will link to the 460-metre Kangaroo Point Bridge, which is due to open on 15 December, and the 200-metre Main and Deakin Street Story Bridge underpass. There is a a second project planned that will also extend the CityLink Cycleway further south to West End.
Brisbane City Council confirmed that works are already underway to construct a bikeway along Melbourne Street between the Victoria Bridge and Cordelia Street as part of the Brisbane Metro project, with completion expected next financial year. Council will further extend this bikeway along Melbourne Street to Boundary Street in West End.
All up, the CityLink Cycleway will provide a four-kilometre cross-town scooter and cycling link once finished, connecting five suburbs and two major crossings of the Brisbane River.
‘CityLink Cycleway was always about creating an inner-city cycling and scooting spine, that we could build out into the suburbs to make it more attractive for residents and visitors to use active transport in Brisbane,’ said Ryan Murphy. ‘The delivery of this project will ensure residents of the eastern suburbs and West End can look forward to using a safe and separated connection to the CBD and beyond.’
‘We know it’s important to grow our active transport network in the lead up to the 2032 Games to ensure residents and visitors can safely and conveniently move between venues and attractions.’
‘This is a very welcome addition to the network of cycleways in Brisbane, allowing better access from West End to East Brisbane,’ said Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine. ‘The excellent connections that the Kangaroo Point Bridge will provide, are supported by these new links. The new link down Melbourne Street will be particularly useful into West End and the link to Shafston Avenue sets up future improvements for cycling and scooting into the eastern suburbs. The realisation of safe links to the eastern suburbs continues to be a significant aim for the network.’
The bridge is expected to reduce cycling commute times by up to 50 per cent, cutting travel between Brisbane’s eastern suburbs and the CBD by up to 15 minutes, and by up to 30 minutes for pedestrians.
Bike ways along the Brisbane River between Toowong and New Farm are an essential part of the transport network in Queensland’s capital city. The routes are flat, easy to ride and have had significant upgrades in previous years, with more to come from existing and planned projects.
With construction of another phase of the updated Queen’s Wharf area nearing completion, Queensland’s bike and e-scooter riders have been able to ride the updated amenities along this stretch to Gardens Point.
Coming from Milton, the new area opens up right as the segregated bikeway and walkway end at the ferry stop. A larger shared space expands, with an end of trip facility and café on your left, with access via stairs or a lift to Queen’s Wharf Road. Alternatively, you can keep riding in the shared use area and turn left to ride up Queen’s Wharf Road, which doesn’t have private vehicle access. From here the shared use space goes to a separated bikeway and walkway until just before the Goodwill Bridge.
Approaching the shared use zone.
Bicycle Queensland caught up with Graham Witherspoon from the Destination Brisbane Consortium, on the afternoon before the updated section of the Bicentennial Bikeway opened.
‘It has been years of work and planning, but we have the final stage of the Bicentennial Bikeway open. There is a lot of segregation between pedestrians and cyclists along the kilometre of riverfront. What we have tried to do is make it a place where people are comfortable being.’
This has involved creating very long sight lines, and also extensive plantings and even artworks. The impact resonates, as it is a much friendlier place to be than before, which changes the dynamic from a dark corridor to a shared space for bikes, e-scooters, pedestrians.
‘As you can see there are families and commuters coming through here quite comfortably. We’ve created about 6000sqm of new green public space.’
Some elements still need to be finalised, including the community spaces along the waterfront, and finding a business to setup in the end of trip facilities with a café that sits right on the shared use area. Suggested speed limits may still change as well, once the final construction of the community spaces are finished.
‘By November we will open the Finger Wharves and the terraced seating along the river front, so the whole area should be complete by then.’
Rolling through
During our walk through, we did wonder if the painted bike and pedestrian sections could be extended further through the shared space for additional awareness, especially in peak times.
As of today, signs are still posted suggesting 10km/h, as construction is still ongoing right at the edge of the river. But in the separated bikeway signage suggest 20km/h. Given the sightlines are very good, we expect the area to suit 20km/h, but the shared space will need common sense from users, just as any shared space does.
Our take
Some people have called for a continual bikeway through the public space, however doing so would cut off access to the public space along the river front or remove the permeability of the bikeway at this area. There is very limited room along the waterfront, and Bicycle Queensland welcomes the addition of public space in the area. We do feel that a few amendments to signage may be warranted in the initial period as pedestrians and riders get used to how the space works and where people flow to and from.
‘The Queen’s Wharf upgrade to the Bicentennial Bikeway has delivered an outstanding addition of public space on the Brisbane River,’ said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. ‘The inclusion of bike parking, rideable access and end of trip facilities means that this is not just a commuting route for avid riders, but a place people can choose to visit easily by bike, e-scooter, on foot or via a ferry trip.’
On a drizzly afternoon, commuters we spoke to were happy with the upgrades, although some suggested a bit more signage may be of use. Bicycle Queensland will be interested to see the public response as the area continues to be finalised. If you have feedback, do be in touch via bqinfo@bq.org.au.
It is with great disappointment that Bicycle Queensland has learnt that the proposed Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail has been cancelled by Bundaberg Council. We understand that this decision has been made due to a reported $20 million blow-out in costs according to the business case, and financial difficulties in Council that have seen a raft of projects and operational expenditure cut.
We understand that significant funding was provided by the State for this project, which has been handed back by Council.
Whilst Bicycle Queensland appreciates that there are difficult financial circumstances for some Councils that require tough decisions, the axing of this particular project is nevertheless a bitter pill to swallow. Only this week, we have seen the multiple benefits of rail-trails for regional communities highlighted so effectively in the ABC’s Back Roads program featuring the southern end of the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail.
With some experience around business cases and rail trails, we have written to Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn, expressing our dismay at the decision and expressing our concern at the reported $39.799M cost for the rail trail.
We know that rail trails can be delivered relatively cheaply and can be staged. We see this happening around Queensland, such as the great work being done by communities and Councils for the Boyne Burnett Rail Trail, Fraser Coast and Councillor Watson’s approach to reviving the Pineapple Line as a Rail Trail at Yeppoon. A case in point is the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail which started life humbly and has grown with progressive improvements.
Photo from the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Weekend 2024, supported by Bicycle Queensland. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
Bicycle Queensland urges Bundaberg Regional Council to consider a different approach to the rail trail and to reconsider this opportunity to the region, as they deal with their financial issues and move forward on their vision of “building Australia’s best regional community.”
At Bicycle Queensland we advocate for bike and e-scooter riders as we want to see more people riding, more often. This includes recreational use of bikes and e-scooters, but we also work to create a safer environment for riders. Our goal is to have more short trips taken by bike or e-scooter instead of via a car.
A Week Without Driving is a global initiative that can be undertaken anywhere, and Get Around Cabo Carfree are promoting the week locally around Caboolture and Morayfield – but you can take part anywhere.
The concept is pretty simple – go a week without using your car. But there are some nuances in that – the idea is you look at how you change the transport modes you use. Whether you walk, ride, use a scooter, or use public transport – all are great. And if you need to use a car – can you use a ride share? Or car pool?
Wendy Nash is the driving force behind Get Around Cabo Carfree, and the local Week Without Driving initiative.
This is a voluntary and self-managed initiative, over a week-long time frame from September 30 to October 6, 2024. So it’s a perfect amount of time to see what the impacts are like for your own transport.
Get Around Cabo Carfree have also got an optional scavenger hunt built into their week, where you use the Snap Send Solve app to report issues that create problems for those who rely on active transport networks. Be that people with a pram, mobility devices, walkers, bike riders, scooter riders or the elderly. More details are on their website.
‘The Week Without Driving concept started in 2021 in Washington State, in America,’ Wendy Nash of Get Around Cabo Carfree told BQ. ‘It was to make elected representatives aware of what it is like to not use or have access to a car.’
‘As soon as I saw that I knew it was exactly what we needed to do. Caboolture and surrounds is so car dependent, it really forces car ownership here. People don’t want to, and it costs them a fortune but they don’t really have any choice.’
A big part of the Week Without Driving initiative is raising awareness. Many of us are happy to get in our car for daily trips, and with 1.8 cars owned per household in Queensland, it certainly is a luxury we take for granted. And Wendy Nash expects a few hurdles for those who challenge themselves to try a week without driving.
At the launch, we heard from a few speakers who cannot drive due to health conditions, or who had a long time without being able to drive due to injury. In their region, it makes them very aware of inadequate infrastructure around footpaths and bikeways, and also access to public transport.
‘This is a good challenge and it will make people think about how they get around. With ther 50c public transport fares right now, people can look at how they may take the trips they need to do. Once you look at ways you can get around without a car, you start to appreciate that it can be really difficult for people who don’t have one. But on a bike, I can get exactly where I need to go, on my own schedule – it’s easy.’
Of course, Belinda had some advice for those who may look to do a week without driving from September 30 – October 6 (and beyond!).
‘It can be daunting if you think you need to ride the same places where you ride, because a lot of the roads we drive on are pretty horrifying. So you need to work out how to get the places you need to go on safer routes that aren’t the ways you would go when you drive.’
Bicycle Queensland recommends trying the bike route selection on Google Maps, or OpenCycleMap.org for your route planning.
Sometimes the biggest barrier to change is starting – and here at Bicycle Queensland, we think the Week Without Driving initiative may be the perfect time to see what trips you can do without your car.
Are you a Bicycle Queensland member? Membership includes thorough insurance while you ride or use an e-scooter, plus extensive member benefits. Find out more here.
Throughout August and September 2024, Bicycle Queensland hit the road, visiting Queensland’s regions between Cairns and Coolangatta. This was an essential follow up after Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack visited the regions of Queensland in March, to meet with members, bike riders and councils to hear about concerns, opportunities and success stories.
During these visits in August and September, Bicycle Queensland were able to update members and riders on progress that has been made in advocacy for bike and e-scooter riding around the state. But more importantly, it gave us an opportunity to follow up on specific issues, and hear from people who couldn’t connect with us earlier in the year.
‘Queensland’s regions are of high importance to Bicycle Queensland, and I feel personally committed to helping to improve the safety and opportunity for bike and e-scooter riders all around Queensland,’ said Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine. ‘Growing up in Townsville, I remember seeing Flinders street flooded with bikes in the afternoon as railway workshop employees clocked off. The climate and topography hasn’t changed since then – but infrastructure around the state has, meaning many of us are defaulting to cars for short trips. We need to make sure riding a bike, e-scooter or walking for short trips is a safe, comfortable and sustainable choice.’
There are numerous challenges across the regions of Queensland. There is no denying that as a vast state, creating connected active transport networks beyond regional centres is difficult. However we did see the foundations of some excellent networks in place in different corners of the state, and we have helped to facilitate positive steps towards improvements on networks in other areas.
Bicycle Queensland also heard about the success of fantastic community initiatives, from Bike Buses for school drop off and pick up, through to marked and mapped bikepacking routes. Rail trails were high on the agenda, and Bicycle Queensland are putting our expertise together in a conference this November, to suit those regions who want to get their feasibility study around a disused rail corridor off the shelf, moving towards a rideable trail.
‘Any unused rail corridor has potential to be an excellent piece of infrastructure for bike riding, walking or even horse riding,’ said Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy. ‘Rail trails provide safe, relatively flat connections between communities. Time and time again we hear stories about how diverse user groups on rail trails are, and that runs true from the Tweed through to the Atherton Tablelands.’
One of the leading concerns that came from almost every meeting held was a change in awareness of rules that relate to bike riders on the road. While we are still compiling our key focus points for each region, state-wide we will be working on a renewed push for awareness of road rules and how they relate to those riding a bike – for both bike rider0, e-scooter riders and motorists.
Bicycle Queensland will continue to work with Queensland’s diverse regions to create better outcomes for bike and e-scooter riders. If you want to stay up to date, make sure you sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Or show your support via joining Bicycle Queensland.
There is great news for bike riders and scooter riders – any Queenslander buying a new approved e-bike or e-scooter from Monday September 23, 2024 will get a $500 rebate on their e-bike, or $200 rebate on their e-scooter.
After almost two years of advocating with the department of Transport and Main Roads on this issue, Bicycle Queensland are happy to share the exciting news that the Queensland Government have updated their Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, introducing the rebate for e-mobility devices: e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy has provided rebates for electric cars, which, whilst helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, do little to reduce traffic congestion on Queensland’s roads. Bicycle Queensland welcomes the inclusion of these modes into the policy.
E-Bikes and E-Scooters make mobility easy. Making them more affordable will help boost these modes, making it easier for more Queenslanders to ride more often. We constantly hear from our members that these devices are a “game changer” for many, allowing people to extend their rides, deal with difficult hills, and get to and from work more comfortably. For many older riders, they allow people to ride longer and with less stress on ageing bodies.
The $1 million rebate scheme will deliver $500 and $200 rebates for approved e-bikes and e-scooters for Queenslanders, sold via a retailer or eligible online stores. You can find your local BQ Link store via our Store Locator. As of Monday September 30 – another $1 million has been added to the rebate fund.
Understanding the rebate scheme
The Queensland Government have published a thorough outline of the e-bike and e-scooter rebate scheme, which can be read online.
To be eligible, you need to purchase your e-bike or e-scooter on or after September 23, 2024 – this cannot be a retrospective rebate. You need to be an individual – this isn’t for sole traders or businesses. You must also be a Queensland resident and 18 or over. The purchase needs to be from an eligible retailer. That means any retail business in Queensland, or an Australian online business operating under an active Australian Business Number (ABN).
What e-bikes and e-scooters are eligible?
Not every e-bike or e-scooter is eligible. It must be new – not second hand or reconditioned. It must also comply with the definition of an e-scooter or e-bike (see below). The motorised speed must be limited to 25km/h via either software or hardware, and include a battery management system. And lastly, the supplied charger needs to have a regulatory compliance mark and be registered on the Electrical Equipment Safety System national database.
For an e-scooter to be eligable, it needs to be designed for just one person to use, with either a wheel fore and aft, or two wheels at the front and one at the back or vice versa. The electric motor cannot propel the scooter beyonod 25km/h, and steering must be via handlebars (not a wheel). There needs to be a footboard (not a seat) and the total length cannot exceed 1250mm. The e-scooter must be no more than 700mm wide and 1350mm high. It cannot weigh more than 60kg.
The scheme primarily suits the most common e-bikes that have a maximum continuous rated power of 250W, where the output is progressively reduced as speed goes from 6km/h to 25 km/h. This is the standard performance of e-bike systems from Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, Specialized, SRAM, Bosch, TQ and Ananda systems, amongst some lesser known systems.
They can also be power-assisted bikes that have one (or more) electric auxiliary motors with a maximum output (or combined output) of no more than 200W. They cannot go faster than 6km/h under motor only, and need to cut motor assistance at 25km/h when being pedalled. They cannot include an internal combustion engine.
The rebate scheme is not valid for e-bike conversion kits.
Eligible applicants can only receive one rebate, and a maximum of three people per household can receive a rebate.
The announcement earlier this year that the Queensland Government would undertake a 6-month trial of 50c fares for public transport was welcomed by Bicycle Queensland. Making public transportation more affordable is a step in the right direction toward reducing congestion and promoting sustainable travel options.
Whilst public transport use has increased most markedly in the south-east corner, around the state patronage has typically increased between 8-15%. Rail has been the big winner in south east Queensland, with a reported 26.5% increase in patronage after the first month of the initiative.
On the weekend Premier Steven Miles said that the government would keep the 50c fares post-election. Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said that the LNP would keep the commitment for cheaper public transport if his party won at the state election in October. Bicycle Queensland welcomes this bipartisan support for this great public transport initiative.
We understand from media reports that this cost for subsidising public transport 50 cent fares has been estimated to be approximately $300 million a year, although it may end up less if patronage grows.
Bike riding, e-scooter riding and walking typically go hand-in-hand with more public transport use to allow for properly connected routes. At Bicycle Queensland, we would encourage further investment in walking and riding infrastructure so Queenslanders can make the best use of the ongoing subsidies for public transport.
Cycling and micromobility has a very real role in supporting more public transport trips, particularly as part of the “door to door” customer experience. Many park-and-ride facilities on the public transport network are already full or close to capacity, so alternatives need to be considered. Additional investment in secure bike parking, and investing in greater capacity for carrying bikes on trains would help.
‘Having ongoing discounted public transport as a bipartisan promise for the coming state election is a positive step for all Queenslanders,’ stated Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine. ‘We encourage all parties to match this additional $300 million investment in public transport with investment in active transport, to make the best use of the incentives and opportunities.’
Interestingly, the Household Travel Survey data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows that there are double the number of people riding bikes compared to using trains in Southeast Queensland, despite the significantly lesser investment in active transport.
Can you imagine the increase in mode share for cycling and micromobility if a similar level of investment to public transport was applied?
With the state election looming, Bicycle Queensland encourages you to engage with the candidates in your area to find out what they are doing to improve cycling in your region.
