BQ Link: Meet Lug+Carrie

If you pass through any larger CBD in Queensland, there is a good chance you will see a different range of bikes compared to a decade ago. And it’s not just gravel bikes and road disc bikes at cafes. The rise and rise of e-cargo bikes has arrived in Australia, with notable growth in the last few years. It would be fair to say that Lug+Carrie have been part of that change.

Starting in Melbourne, the business has operated as a subscription service for Tern e-bikes since 2020. Launched by Ben and Dan Carr, the brothers developed the business idea given the need for more urban mobility. If Australians to see a bike as transport, and not just for sport, there was potential for a real shift in transport modes. E-cargo bikes were the perfect fit, but given their high cost to purchase, creating a subscription model would allow people to see if getting around by bike suited them, without a capital investment. Since then, Lug+Carrie expanded to Sydney and opened a store in Brisbane in late 2022.

‘Brisbane has responded really well to e-bike subscriptions,’ said Harriet Muir from Lug+Carrie, when asked about the Queensland response. ‘There are options around to lease e-bikes, but with Lug+Carrie people can commit to as little as 4 weeks – it is a very low risk and low cost way to see if an e-cargo bike suits you.’

The subscription model works within a service zone that covers about a 20km radius from Brisbane, which means subscribers not only get a quality e-cargo bike at a weekly rate, but that includes servicing at home and even rider rescue as well. It really takes out a lot of concern about maintenance and flat tyres for people thinking about getting on an e-bike – as well as getting rid of the upfront cost.

However, Lug+Carrie often find riders do want to buy a bike, as they end up convinced. While buying out subscription bikes has been possible, all three stores now sell e-bikes – and a greater range as well.

‘Our subscription offered 3 different e-bikes from Tern,’ Harriet explained, ‘this really helped to offer such a high level of service for subscribers. But with the popularity of e-cargo bikes, we can offer more bikes with direct sales, from both Tern and Riese and Muller.’

This means Lug+Carrie will now sell the Tern Vectron folding e-bike, the Tern Orox off-road adventure e-bike and the compact Tern NBD. The Riese and Muller range will have front loader e-cargo bikes and will also use the well-regarded Bosch e-bike systems.

If you have dropped in to visit the Lug+Carrie store in Woollongabba, you will have realised it doesn’t feel like a regular bike shop. You can ride right in, there’s room to park your bike, a big workshop, a lounge and some kids toys. While holding more bikes to sell needs a bit of a refit, Harriet explains that the culture won’t change.

‘Our shops will still feel like a place to come if you want to ride. We’ll be focussed on building a community and providing the service and support that our subscribers have come to know and love.’

So much of that support will remain with their move to more sales, with a personal handover of new e-bikes to go through all the capabilities, plus the option to purchase service packages, like those included in a subscription. That will include at home servicing, rider rescue, and even the Tern accessory subscriptions.

Subscribing to accessories makes a lot of sense for an e-bike purchase, given how the use of an e-cargo bike can change. Lug+Carrie offer the opportunity to swap out their Tern accessories within the subscriptions. You might opt out of panniers and fit a front rack, or remove a child’s seat for the Captain’s Chair, for example. It really saves purchasing the item and then storing it when you no longer need it, waiting to find time to pop it on Facebook Marketplace.

READ: Making the shift to an e-cargo bike

‘I got a Storm Shield for my kid when I got my e-bike,’ said Harriet. ‘But what if they hated it? I’d be stuck with the accessory. In the end they loved it and call it their bike cubby. For parents the accessory subscription really helps, as it means you don’t need to invest without knowing if it will work out or not.’

Here at Bicycle Queensland we’ve really noticed the increase in e-cargo bikes around greater Brisbane, and we are proud to have partnered with Lug+Carrie with offers for members on both subscriptions or e-bike purchases.

‘We are more than a bike shop, we are passionate about urban mobility,’ said Harriet. ‘All the advocacy that Bicycle Queensland does is so important. There is lots to do but we are really optimistic about the future.’


Bicycle Queensland members will receive a 50% discount on a 2-month e-bike subscription from Lug+Carrie. Login to the BQ Portal for details. If you’re looking for a new e-bike, Bicycle Queensland members will receive 10% off e-bikes from Lug+Carrie.

Surviving the summer bicycle commute in Queensland

By Bethany Keats

As the weather heats up, it can be tempting to put the bike in the shed until the humidity subsides. Before you reach for the car keys, here are some tips to keep you on your bike during the summer months.   

Summer wardrobe

There is no other way to say it: you will sweat! In winter you may have got away with wearing the same clothes for the return trip, but the summer sweat factor is next level. Choose moisture-wicking clothes that will help keep you cool and take a clean set for the ride home. You will feel more comfortable in fresh clothes, even if you’re about to get sweaty again.

BQ Tests: Ground Effect Flare and Solaris sunshirts

When it’s time for the wash, make sure to add a cup of white vinegar to the machine to help remove the smell. If that’s not enough, soak them overnight in a full sink with a cup of vinegar before putting them in the machine. And if you wear a backpack, remember to wash that too!

The Ground Effect Flare and Solaris offer UPF50 protection.

Rearrange your day (if you can)

If possible, rearrange your working hours so you’re riding when the sun is low. You don’t need to ride in the dark (unless you want to), but riding when the sun is lower in the sky takes the edge off its sting. If you’re unable to change your hours, consider other ways to avoid the overhead sun. Are there leafier streets you can take? Are there routes where you can take advantage of a breeze?

Remember: Don’t overexert yourself in the heat! Keep your fluids and electrolytes up.

If you can commute in cooler hours – do it!

Have a contingency plan

Maintaining your bicycle commute during summer doesn’t mean riding in conditions that are unsafe or genuinely horrible. Have a think about what those conditions are for you and pick a way to measure them. It may be if the temperature hits a specific number by a certain time in the morning, or the rain is so heavy you can’t see a key landmark. Then, work from home or seek alternative transport. You’ll also need a plan for hometime.

Hidden hazards

Rain and storms can mean seasonal creeks, puddles, and other hazards. Before the rainy season kicks in, assess your route for areas that could become unsafe or difficult to navigate if they’re partially under water or susceptible to falling branches. Even small puddles can obscure washed out sections of the path that could result in pinch flats. Ride these sections carefully and walk your bike if necessary.

If your route includes areas that are prone to water hazards or debris after a storm, consider making it a rule to not ride 24 hours after bad weather (see above). Overall, remember to be kind to yourself. Ride to the conditions and take it slow, if necessary. With a little bit of planning, any season is a great season to ride to work!

BQ Tip: You can use Snap Send Solve to report issues on your route.

Why joining Bicycle Queensland made sense

Bicycle Queensland enjoys an ever-evolving membership base. While some of you may have been members for well over a decade, each week we have new members sign up. Sometimes they are referrals via our BQ Link retail members, and sometimes word of mouth referrals from existing members. And for some riders, membership becomes attractive as their riding habits change. Hayden (30) and Ashley live in Brisbane’s western suburbs and recently signed up to a household of three or more membership. 

‘Ash and I first met through cycling, and as such it has been the cornerstone of our relationship and lives over the past 5 years,’ Hayden explained. ‘Whether that be commuting, competing or social rides on the weekend you can just about guarantee that we were doing something bike related every day.’  

Times change, but habits don’t So when Hayden and Ashley were expecting twins, it wasn’t long before the family was mobile on two wheels again as the twins were able to sit in a bike seat. 

‘With the recent arrival of our twin daughters, things look a little different these days – although we’ve managed to still find a way to keep our home life cycling-centric. After becoming interested in trying a cargo bike for family outings, day care drop offs and runs to the shops we became aware of the partnership between Lug & Carrie and BQ. The discount available on a cargo bike lease to BQ members was fantastic, and made the decision to sign up for a family plan a no brainer. The member insurance and advocacy work that BQ provides is also a huge benefit of the membership, and something we’re proud to support.’  

Being a member of Bicycle Queensland assists us with the advocacy work we do. When we represent more people, we have a bigger impact when working with local and state governments. However, advocacy is just one part of what we do, we also work hard to make sure there are some excellent membership benefits for our members. One of the leading benefits is our public liability insurance, accident insurance and free legal advice. 

‘Ash and I are both former AusCycling members, however we have let that (and the associated insurance) lapse as we are both taking a break from competitive cycling. The provisision of insurance coverage outside of expenses covered by Medicare and our private health provider is great peace of mind and to us, and one of the primary benefits of a BQ membership. Further to this, the income protection is a huge plus and something we were not aware of prior to signing up. Having the confidence that the household bills will still be covered should one of us need to take time off due to a cycling related incident is fantastic, and in our opinion something any cyclist should seriously consider.’ 

Of course, all bike riders like bikes and bike parts, and BQ’s member benefits reach beyond insurance, including cycling clothing, tours, nutrition, eyewear, lights, locks and more. Hayden and Ashley recently signed up to the Lug+Carrie e-bike subscription service, with a Tern GSD now proudly parked in their garage. With two child’s seats mounted on the back, it has proven to be the perfect addition to their bike fleet. 

Day care drop off used to be quite the chore, but thanks to the GSD it’s now a blast! Our daughters love the bike, and we find it a much more enjoyable way to start and end their day with comparison to loading up in the back of the car. We’ve now also found it much faster and easier to pop down to the grocery store, as we can just throw the girls in on the back of the bike and our shopping on the front mounted rack. Trips in the car are now few and far between, and it has us considering selling one of them and moving to being a 1 car household.’  

When you consider the cost to benefit ratio of the BQ Family membership, it’s hard to see a reason why someone in our shoes wouldn’t sign up. Between the retail benefits, advocacy and insurance coverage we see fantastic value in being a BQ household.’  

Want to know more about Bicycle Queensland membership? Head to our website.

Try the e-cargo bike revolution with Lug+Carrie

You would be hard pressed to miss the increase in e-cargo bikes on the streets in many Australian capitals – and Queensland is no different to other states. Early mornings and afternoons see bike paths and back roads become essential links as parents tote one, two or even three kids to and from daycare or school drop offs.

The longer wheelbases and higher cargo carrying capacity of an electric cargo bike isn’t just handy for navigating the school run. You can do a full shop, carry your partner to Friday drinks, or even load up with tools to head to a friend’s house, to rescue them from their DIY project.

While electric cargo bikes have been available for a while, their recent explosion has been assisted by more manufacturers developing their own e-cargo line, and some stores specialising in e-bikes, like Electric Bikes Brisbane or Lug+Carrie. What has made a really big difference is the hire, or subscription service that Lug+Carrie also offer for the Brisbane area, alongside Melbourne and Sydney.

Via Lug+Carrie, you can rent your e-bike, or e-cargo bike, on a month-by-month basis, And as long as you’re in their 20km operational zone, this includes on-site servicing, free delivery and pick up at the start and finish of your subscription, and free delivery and pick up if your bike needs to go into their workshop for repair or parts. This covers from Wynnum to Camp Mountain, or Brendale to Calamvale.

Lug+Carrie stock a variety of Tern bicycles, including the popular GSD, which can be equipped with two seats on the back, along with a rack on the front. In-fact, many of the bikes have a range of accessories that Lug+Carrie supply, and you can swap them out as your needs change. As well as offering the monthly subscription, Lug+Carrie have lease to buy options as well as both new and refurbished e-bikes for sale. You can check them all out and test ride them in their Woolloongabba store. 

On a recent Lug+Carrie Community Ride, we caught up with Sophie – who has been a Lug+Carrie subscriber for two years with her blue Tern GSD.

‘I already had an e-cargo bike that I had bought, but it just wasn’t as functional and kept falling apart. I wanted something that could be a bit more reliable.’

Sophie visited Lug+Carrie in Woolloongabba, near where she lives, to look at at Tern models they had – she ended up their 15th customer, right as their Brisbane store opened. ‘Their targeted demographics Instagram ads got me: women with kids, who hate their car!’

‘Since then, I have been doing school drop offs then into the city for work – and then back again.’

There are e-cargo bikes on the market from as low as around $3000, but for a quality model like the Tern GSD Sophie has, with the accessories and 200kg load limit, could run over $9000 – which can be off-putting for someone trying to see if an e-cargo bike is for them. And that’s why Lug+Carrie’s subscription model is such a great fit, and it worked for Sophie.

‘The subscription is a more affordable way to get an amazing bike. I wouldn’t have been able to buy it outright and I wasn’t sure if I would love it. But within two weeks I knew “this is me for life,” and I love it.’

While we all often focus on the bike – for Sophie the real benefit has come from being able to customise the accessories in her subscription as her needs change – or as her daughter grows.

‘I had the Storm Shield when my daughter was younger, and as she got a bit older I switched it out to the Captain’s Chair. I called Lug+Carrie, went in and they swapped it over and re-priced it. It was even a little bit cheaper. It also means I can fit adults on the back now too.’

Just like leasing the bike reduces the upfront cost, given these accessories cost around $5 a week to hire, it’s far less than the several hundred they cost to buy outright.

Perhaps one of the best changes that Sophie told us about was her changed perceptions of what she can use her e-cargo bike for. She already uses it every day to get around, do the shopping, get to work and to get her daughter to and from school – but that’s not the limit.

‘I do partake in the e-cargo bike Olympics, for what I can fit on it. I haven’t taken it to Bunnings yet, but I am keen… I have taken a very large plant on it and I do all my grocery shopping on it as well.’

We often hear that riders getting around on an e-cargo bike, in regular clothes doing regular things, can change the perception of bike riders on the road and on paths. And Sophie has said she is often asked about her bike, with men, women and families stopping to ask her where she got it from.

With a powerful Bosch e-bike system, the Tern e-cargo bikes make light work of hauling kids, groceries, love interests – or large pot plants.

‘You don’t have to be a really good cyclist. I had cycled before but I hadn’t for a while. I found the Tern GSD far more comfortable and I feel way more secure. The last bike I had was too high . This is really nice as a step through and being so low. A lot of friends have said they aren’t a good enough cyclist to try one, but you really need to have a go – you’ll love it.

The subscription service means assistance with any issues like flat tyres, worn brakes or gear shifting issues. The Tern bikes are deisgned for use day in, day out, with robust tyres and equipment. But things break – which is why the on-road assistance exists, which Sophie has experienced.

‘Once we were pulling out of school and rode over some glass – so we got a flat. But Al came out and fixed it, it was great! He was there in 5 minutes.’ While this lead time may be longer depending where you are in the Operational Zone, it is part of the service that Lug+Carrie offer – and it removes a lot of perceived issues for some would-be riders.

Sophie was so enthusiastic about her time leasing the Tern GSD from Lug+Carrie – and she is currently contemplating buying out the bike she has been using. And she encourages everyone to try an e-cargo bike for themselves.

‘Just try it for a couple of weeks, you’ll notice the difference. I had to work somewhere that was about 50km away and needed to take a month off from cycling. I was noticeably depressed but when I went back to cycling again I was happy again. So give it a go.’

If you want to know more about Lug+Carrie, visit their website or call them on 1300 766 552. Bicycle Queensland members save 50% on an 8-week subscription through Lug+Carrie. Don’t forget to call your local bikeshop about e-cargo bikes as well – you can find Bicycle Queensland’s partner stores on our Store Finder.

Find out more about Bicycle Queensland membership: insurance, advocacy and member discounts

Riding Brisbane Valley Rail Trail With Kids

Bicycle Queensland’s Chair and Director, Rachel Nolan has ridden the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail each year end to end across four days since her son was four years old, he is now seven. Below is Rachel’s guide on how to ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail!

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail 

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is Australia’s longest rail trail running 161km from Yarraman in the South Burnett to Wulkuraka on the outskirts of Ipswich.  The full trail opened in 2018, with the full history available here.

The trail is generally dirt with concrete sections, however it can be comfortably ridden with fairly basic riding ability.

The Logistics 

To get to the start of the trail, we use the shuttle service provided by Out There Cycling (book online, around $80 per person Wulkuraka to Yarraman). The bus picks us up at the trail head and takes around 90 mins to get to the other end at Yarraman.

We live in Ipswich so we ride from home to the start but if you’re coming from elsewhere, you could get a very early train to Wulkuraka and ride the less than 1km to the trail head at Grace Street, Wulkuraka or you could leave your car in the carpark there.  I’ve heard people have done this for days with no problem.

Day 1 : Yarraman to Linville

I’ve done this ride just with my son, with my parents and with friends. It’s always been with people who have pretty reasonable fitness but varying levels of technical bike ability. We aim to ride about 40km a day, which I think is enough for my son on a tagalong.

The first day is glorious, Yarraman to Blackbutt is through open, rolling country with lots of grass trees. We stop for a sausage roll at the Blackbutt Bakery, then roll the downhill section to Linville. In Linville we stay at Linville Country Cottage which is not cheap but very pleasant. There’s also accommodation at the fantastic Linville Hotel, which is where we go for dinner.

Day 2 : Linville to Toogoolawah

The biggest hills (not that big) and the cool tunnel are on Day 2!

We have breakfast before leaving, then have great coffee at Kai Lounge in Moore, lunch at Harlin (pub or service station) and make it to Toogoolawah by early afternoon. The Toogoolawah Exchange Hotel is a brilliant, unadulterated country pub (about $80 per room per night). This time we arrived on cattle sale day so we checked that out in the afternoon.

Day 3 : Toogoolwah to Coominya

After breakfast at the Hav’A Chat cafe, we ride to Esk where there’s a great new coffee roastery right next to the trail. There’s a long gentle hill up Mount Hallen from Esk, some steep gullies (you can walk), then a fast 10km burn into Coominya.

We always stay at Bellevue Homestead and it is an extraordinary experience.  The homestead dates from the 1840s and is a remarkable colonial building with warm and generous owners. There are great pub meals at the Coominya Hotel. Coominya is tiny so if you can’t get that accommodation, you can go on another 12km and stay in Lowood.

Day 4 : Coominya to Ipswich

A great roll downhill out of Coominya to the Lockyer Valley bridge, a trestle bridge which the current state government restored for the rail trail. At Fernvale we have a sausage roll (coffee and slice for adults), then 23km back to the trail head in Ipswich. Each day we finish riding by early afternoon so there’s lots of beer, nap or reading time in the afternoon.

Costs and booking

The only real key to logistics is to work out how far you want to ride each day and book around that. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (which own and maintain the trail) provides a reasonable website here. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association has a really good website which has a super useful distance calculator.

For us, over four days, it can take a bit of organisation to get accommodation available on the right nights.  For this trip, I wanted to go on the Anzac Day or Labour Day long weekends but left booking too late so we ended up on the Ipswich Show Holiday long weekend.

With 5 people (4 adults, one child) the trip this time cost:
DayTotal costCost per person
1 – Shuttle$400$80
1 – Linville Cottage$500 (includes breakfast makings)$100
2 – Toogoolawah Exchange Hotel$85 room for 2$45
3 – Bellevue Homestead$290 (including cooked breakfast)$60
Meals (estimate of 3 pub dinners, 4 café or bakery lunches and 1 breakfast) $180
TOTAL $465
Bike set up 

I take my son on a WeeRide tagalong (99 Bikes $285), which I tow behind my carbon fibre hardtail MTB.  My friend Jim who we rode with this time, rides an aluminium hardtail MTB and my parents have e-bikes.

I take spare tubes for both bikes (two for me, one for the tagalong), tyre levers, a hand pump, an Allen key set and a bike lock.  You could get away without the lock if all your accommodation has lock up bike storage (and you’re going to stop for lunch with your bike in sight).

It’s worth doing a bike service before leaving. The one time I was busy and didn’t, I had both a bike shoe blowout and a broken pedal. It was all a bit of a disaster, although Out There Cycling (who run a bike shop in Moore) bailed me out with flat pedals.

Packing

Having done a lot of bushwalking, I am massively uptight about weight. I also get a sore back if my pack is too tightly packed (pulling back my shoulders) or too heavy. In my case, I’m carrying the gear for both my son and I so the basic rule I’m following is two sets of bike gear (in case it rains), one set of evening clothes (including warm stuff) and that’s it.

Because of my back pain, this year I bought a Zefal handlebar pack (about $100, 99 Bikes). I put the heavy stuff (tubes, lock, shoes) in it and it was total gold.

Packing list (including what we were wearing):
RachelSonOther
• 2 knicks
• 2 jerseys
• 2 sports bras
• 1 set sun sleeves
• 1 bike rain jacket 
• Bike shoes
• Helmet 
• (I only wore one set of bike gear so next year might ditch the second)
• Light pants
• Thermal tights 
• Thermal top 
• Puffer jacket 
• 2 pairs undies 
• Light slip on shoes
• 2 pairs shorts
• 2 long sleeved shirts
• 2 x undies 
• 2 x singlets
• Rain jacket 
• 1 jumper
• 1 pair fleece tracksuit pants 
• PJs (not strictly necessary)
• 1 pair sandals
• 1 pair sneakers
• Moisturiser (tiny tube)
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste 
• Comb (brush is too big)
• Sunscreen
• Pawpaw ointment (which is just as good as chamois cream, and does lips as well!)
• A bag of snakes and a couple of gels
• Water bottle (I use a short bike one because I’m often filling up in bathrooms and the tall ones don’t fit)

The Conclusion 

I cannot tell you how much I love the BVRT and am thrilled that in Ipswich (and to a lesser extent, our satellite city of Brisbane) it’s just right there. I can be working, stressed and caught up in my “stuff” but it’s great to know the BVRT is a whole other world, and it’s 2km from my house. I do admit to an extra pleasure because it was largely built when I was in government and I just think we did a damn good thing!

Riding it each year with my son has been a total joy. At first, when he was three, he went on a Mac Ride (a top tube seat) with my father. At four, we got the tagalong and while he’s getting heavier, he also pedals more now.  I reckon he’ll make the transition to riding himself on his own bike when he’s about nine or ten– but we’ll see.

Each year, we enjoy different things and each year, there are more people on the trail, the coffee gets better and the spirit around it improves as it’s increasingly discovered. The first year, the logistics took a bit of working out (which is why I’ve written this, and I also recommended the website mentioned) but now that I’ve worked it out, it’s easy and a joy that’s right there.

My goals as a parent are pretty simple. I want my son to feel loved, to be intellectually curious and to have the confidence to go out in the world, including the outdoors. I feel certain that riding the BVRT together is giving us all of those things!

Discover more of Australia’s longest rail trail here!

Requesting End-of-Trip Facilities From Your Employer

What are end of trip facilities?

End-of-trip facilities are amenities provided by employers to help their employees freshen up after riding, walking, or running to work. They typically include showers, change rooms, secure bike parking, and other amenities that encourage active travel.

How to ask for End-of-Trip Facilities from Your Employer?

As more people opt to actively commute to work, it’s become increasingly important for workplaces to provide end-of-trip facilities. They can make a significant difference in the daily commute of employees. If you actively commute and your workplace doesn’t have end-of-trip facilities, here are some suggestions on how to ask your employer.

  1. Do your research. Find out what other workplaces in your area offer end-of-trip facilities, and what the benefits are for both employees and the employer. This information can help make your case and demonstrate the importance of these facilities.
  2. Be clear about the benefits when approaching your employer. Not only do end-of-trip facilities make it easier for employees to actively commute to work, they also improve employee health and well-being, reduce carbon emissions, and even save money on parking and transportation costs.
  3. Choose the right time. Choose a time when your employer is likely to be receptive to your request, such as during a review or performance appraisal. Alternatively, you could schedule a meeting with your employer specifically to discuss this topic.
  4. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate the need for end-of-trip facilities is to explain your own experience as an active commuter. Share the challenges you face when arriving at work sweaty and in need of a shower, or when struggling to find a secure place to park your bike.
  5. Provide solutions when asking for end-of-trip facilities. For example, suggest specific facilities that would be most beneficial to you and your colleagues, or offer to help with the implementation of these facilities.
  6. Stay positive. Frame the discussion as an opportunity for your employer to improve the workplace and make it more accommodating for active commuters. Emphasize the benefits for everyone, rather than simply focusing on your own needs.
Benefits of active commuting:
  • Increased staff wellbeing
  • Higher productivity
  • Improved corporate image
  • Reduced demand for car parking

If your workplace doesn’t currently provide end-of-trip facilities, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for them. By doing your research, being clear about the benefits, choosing the right time, explaining your own experience, providing solutions, and staying positive, you can make a convincing case for why these facilities are important and why they should be implemented.

Own your home five years sooner by riding to work

Bicycle Queensland members don’t need convincing about the benefits of bike riding. We’re all getting fitter and having fun while saving the planet by lowering our carbon footprints. According to a 2021 article in The Conversation, riding a bike is 10 times better for the planet than buying an e-vehicle.

But one aspect that isn’t often highlighted, but can be a major factor for people making the switch to riding to work is that: riding a bike is the cheapest time-effective way to travel for distances up to 10km. But what does it cost to ride your bike to work?

We did some maths … but we would be keen to have Bicycle Queensland members check our work. We reckon that if you’re careful, commuting by bike costs less than $20 per week, or less than $900 per year. We’ve based this on buying a commuting bike for $1000, and spending $400 on accessories to make your bike more commute-friendly. And because you’re frugal, you’re keeping this bike for five years, sounds reasonable to us.

Cost of commuting by car versus bike

Compare this with the average cost of transport for households in Brisbane, which is a whopping $458 per week. Yes, you read that right.

So let’s say that 25% of trips made are to work. That’s way too low by the way, but let’s say that. The average weekly cost of car transport in Brisbane is $398 (that’s the total cost of transport, minus public transport fares). So let’s just use a quarter of that cost $99, and take those trips by bike instead. Suddenly we are saving $80 per week.

Let’s consider using the additional $80 per week in a way that could greatly benefit us, such as putting it towards our home loan. An extra $80 per week on the average home loan repayment equates to owning your home five years sooner!

Of course the assumptions in this article can be challenged. But you do your maths and let us know what you might have saved by riding your bike to work?

Our Director of Advocacy has been riding to work for 38 years. On 2022 figures this has saved his household $146,000. He just hopes nobody asks him what he did with this money. It can’t all have gone on Campag hubs and lunches.

Queensland’s Best Post Ride Coffee Shops

As much as we all love riding, it’s well documented that sometimes before we start, we are already thinking about the coffee at the end! For two-wheeled coffee drinkers, the first sip after a long ride is rewarding! We were determined to hunt down Queensland’s top bike-friendly cafes. So we asked our members what their favourite post-ride coffee spots were, and here are the results.

Musette | Bowen Hills
Voted top post ride cafe in Brisbane by our members! This gem is hidden inside CAMS Cycling Collective.

Cheeky Bean | West End
Cracking Colombian coffee and shockingly bad humour, with an ever changing array of naughty snacks! Dog friendly as well!

Cadence Cafe | Nerang
Situated at the back of the bike shop ‘Just Ride’. This cafe has a laid back atmosphere and provides a nice place for a catch up after a bike ride.

Bean Beat | Hervey Bay
A lovely, locally-owned, family-run cafe devoted to serving fantastic, home-made food by the beach side.

Cafe in the Mountains | Mt Nebo
Nestled in the forest with stunning views while you eat, and drink your coffee. 

The Gardens Club | Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
The Gardens Club occupies the heritage listed curator’s cottage in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, hosting a cafe.

Baked at Ancora | Tweed Heads
Where classic Parisian bakery meets cheeky waterside picnics.

Cafe Scooterini | Coolangatta
Enjoy a post ride beverage and meal by the beachside at this cosy cafe.

River City Coffee Roasters | Ormiston
River City Coffee Roasters was born from a desire to create amazing coffee, and share it with the public.

Water Drop Teahouse | Chung Tian Temple Underwood
The Teahouse provides tranquil and comfortable surroundings to relax with light vegetarian meals and refreshments.

Preece’s at the Jetty | Redcliffe 
Modern Australian dishes in a large, long-standing restaurant with pavement seating & bay views.

Lokal + Co | West End
A neighbourhood eatery and bar with a Nordic influence.

Hey Joe Coffee + Co | East Brisbane
An eatery with contemporary Australian cafe service and London-inspired aesthetics.

Drift Coffee Company | Scarborough
Dog friendly, seaside, organic coffee & eats.

Swift espresso | Paddington
A great place to relax and connect in Paddington over great coffee and a flavour-packed menu.

QRoasters | Stafford
Coffee is QRoasters passion and craft! 

The Wired Owl Coffee Co. | Sandgate
Open 7 days a week and pet friendly – there’s great coffee and a tasty menu.

Portside Cafe and Restaurant | Maryborough
Covering coffee, lunch and more from Wednesday through to Sunday.

Scatter Bean Cafe | Taringa
A bit more than a hole in the wall, serving great coffee and treats.

First Coffee Co. | Wellington Point
The go-to 7 days a week for coffee and cafe snacks.

The Latin Shack | Samford Valley
A popular stop on the way to or from The Goat Track, Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious. Great coffee and food to fuel your ride.

Cruise down to your favourite coffee shop and tag Bicycle Queensland, so we can stay up to date with the best cafes in QLD. We are sure there is more great coffee shops out there, so if we have missed your favourite let us know! 

If you haven’t already, join the Bicycle Queensland family here.

Enjoy your riding and COFFEE!