Bicycle Queensland appoints Professor Matt Burke as new CEO

Bicycle Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Matt Burke as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Following a rigorous recruitment process in which 140 applications were received, the Board has selected Professor Burke for his passionate commitment to bike riding and active transport and his deep and widely recognised expertise in the field.

Chair Rachel Nolan described Matt as “one of us, someone who has a genuine commitment to riding and to seeing bikes and active transport and bikes as a vehicle for shaping cities and towns across Queensland.”

“At BQ, we believe that people are happier and healthier, transport is cheaper and more sustainable and community amenity is massively improved when bike riding becomes a mainstream form of transport.

“That change is happening in the great cities of the world but we have only glimpses of it here.  With the backing of our 12,000 passionate members, it’s the change we want to see for Queensland.  We believe that Matt, as the leader of a great team, can help make that happen.

Professor Burke is recognised as one of Australia’s leading voices for active transport and city-shaping, and is deeply committed to advancing the benefits of bike and scooter riding to create healthier, more connected communities. A rider himself, he brings both personal and professional insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Queenslanders on two wheels.

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, Bicycle Queensland identified the need for an influential leader to ensure the Games’ investment leaves a lasting legacy in transport, recreation, and sustainability for the state.

Professor Burke has a longstanding connection with Bicycle Queensland, having first engaged with the organisation while completing his PhD in Brisbane.

“Leading Bicycle Queensland is my dream job,” Professor Burke said. “I’ve been a sustainable transport campaigner since I was a teenager. I’ve been a bicycle bureaucrat and then a transport educator and researcher. But by leading BQ I hope we can really generate change across Queensland. We should have a genuine state cycle network by now. We don’t. There are still no firm commitments to improving cycling networks for the 2032 Games. We are behind other states on rail trails and regional cycle tourism. Expect a serious campaign on this front.”

Bicycle Queensland looks forward to Professor Burke leading the organisation to strengthen advocacy for safe, connected, and sustainable transport options for all Queenslanders.

Media contact: media@BQ.org.au