As we move into the season of gift giving, the question always comes up – what do you give to a bike or scooter rider? The difficulty arises when you don’t know what they already have – or if you don’t quite know what their preferences are for riding accessories or even the riding they do. Thankfully, here at Bicycle Queensland, we are here to help!

If you’re wondering what to give an important rider in your life, or the fussy rider on your office Kriss Kringle, take some advice from Bicycle Queensland staff and supporters, to guide you safely through the season ahead.

‘Bicycle Queensland have a great variety of clothing,’ CEO Alton Twine suggests. ‘We have options in the BQ shop for riding jerseys and shorts, alongside other accessories.’ You may need to guess sizing – although you can always use the option to purchase a gift voucher instead.

Andrew Demack, our Director of Advocacy, is a rider who knows just about every backstreet and bikeway across Queensland. And his gift idea suits his sense of adventure.

‘What could be better than giving the gift of a million great riding routes? A subscription to Ride With GPS for route planning will be a gift that keeps on giving.’

When it comes to accessories, Lindsay in BQ’s Accounts department said the best choices would be ‘gloves, socks or a nice bag for your bike. There are a lot of nicely designed bags for your handlebars, so I think choosing one to suit the rider would make a lovely gift.’

Of course, nothing relates how much you care for someone like giving the gift of public liability insurance, equipment and event discounts, accident insurance and income protection, as Amanda Hernandez pointed out.

‘I think a Bicycle Queensland membership would be a lovely gift to receive. There are options for concession card holders through to households of three or more – individual pricing is $134 and really gives peace of mind when riding or using an e-scooter.’

You can buy a BQ Membership via a voucher in the BQ Shop

‘Nothing is as useful or versatile as a buff for a bike rider,’ Paul Dalitz, BQ’s Projects Officer told us. And he’s right, they can be used for winter warmth, sun protection, to keep dust out and all sorts of other uses. They’re a very handy item and we expect to have some BQ branded items available in 2025.

‘Always having your spares on hand is good,’ said Philippa Heming, BQ’s Administration Officer.  ‘What’s even better is having somewhere to store them. So I think a good saddle bag is really useful for any rider. Better yet, include a tube, tyre levers and multitool so they are ready to go.’

‘Hydration,’ said Imogen Smith, BQ’s Grant’s Officer when asked what gift she thought was good for riders. ‘A great bidon is a very useful gift, and pretty cheap as well.’ You can get two BQ bottles posted for $25 in the BQ shop, they are BPA free, recyclable and easy to wash. ‘A plastic bottle will last a very long time’ added Imogen, ‘just put it through the dishwasher after each use and it will be your hydration companion for years to come.’

‘Take someone for a ride,’ said Mike Blewitt, from BQ’s marketing department. ‘Giving the gift of your time to take someone out for a ride, without a schedule, is pretty rare these days – and a very unique gift that only you can give them.’

Of course, there are all sorts of other options for gifts for bike and scooter riders. We have a number of books in the BQ shop, for riding and bushwalking in Queensland.

Cherie from our friends at Ground Effect suggested the typical gift of a set of socks – but make it fancy with their Hoopla socks, currently on sale for a a bit over $20.

‘As lightweight merino liner-socks, the Hoopla socks let your feet breathe inside performance-fit cycle shoes. There is still elastic arch and ankle support which keeps the socks in place.’

The Hooplas are made from: 42% merino; 24% elastic; 19% lycra; 15% nylon – and they’re made in Aotearoa | New Zealand.

When we asked some of our BQ Link retail partners, Sam Willis from Electric Bikes Brisbane had a couple of great options that really suit Queensland.

From a lovely 700mL Camelbak Podium bottle in EBB livery ($29) through to a long-sleeve UV resistant touring jersey. This one is pretty unique as it includes pockets for storage and also a collar for a bit more sun protection over your neck.

Still stuck for ideas? Contact one of your local BQ Link dealers, who may have great advice, or even be able to help out with a gift voucher.

Queensland has some of the best pump tracks in Australia and often you’ll find them filled with all types of riders of all abilities wanting to have fun. We’ve put together a beginner’s guide to pump tracks, so keep reading to become pump track ready!

A pump track is a continuous track made up of rollers, jumps and berms that loops back onto itself allowing for some serious fun. For beginners, just rolling around the track makes for a fun experience and for more advanced riders, pump tracks allow for some serious skills training. Some of the best asphalted pump tracks in Brisbane are found at:

1. Bracken Ridge: Telegraph Rd, Fitzgibbon
2. Darra: 58 Monier Rd, Darra
3. Browns Plains: Waller Park, Waller Rd, Browns Plains
4. Macgregor: D.M. Henderson Park, 434 McCullough Street
5. Meakin Park: Meakin Rd near, Queens Rd, Slacks Creek

If you’re looking for a full-body workout and want to develop some handy cycling skills, a pump track is perfect for you. Learn how to ride undulating terrain, improve your cornering, maintain momentum and improve your visibility skills.

When should I go to a pump track?

These pump tracks can be super busy on the weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, go early when it’s a bit cooler or late when the lights are on. Just remember that the Brisbane City Council states that children under 12 must be supervised by a responsible adult and that safety is the responsibility of the user. Long pants, a shirt and covered shoes should be worn as well as appropriate safety equipment. We suggest conducting a quick bike check to ensure your ride is safe before taking on the pump track.  

If you’re new to pump tracks and want to get the most out of the experience, follow these basic tips.

1. Balance your weight on the pedals – keep the ball of your foot just in front of the pedal spindle
2. Control your speed – Not enough speed and you won’t get enough momentum. Too much speed and you’ll pay the price.
3. Start with your arms – pull up the rollers and push down the rollers. This is the first part of the wave motion or ‘pump’
4. Add some leg power – bend your knees as you bike moves under the roller. As you move down the back of the roller push down hard and feel the bike pick up speed.
5. Focus on one part of the track you feel most comfortable with, and repeat…

Get out and explore all the different rides Queensland has to offer. Find out more in BQ’s Where to Ride page.

2020 has become the year of computerisation. Automated groceries, non-contact restaurant delivery and endless zoom calls are just a couple examples of the new cultural norm. Don’t get us wrong, we love technology and all the wonderful things it enables in a COVID-19 world. But all this computerisation has many people longing to embrace wholesome, exercise-based hobbies. Enter the e-bike; the perfect concoction of 21st technology and the humble bicycle.

Increased awareness of health risks and the positive benefits of exercise has prompted people to ‘move it or lose it’. The global uptake and market domination of e-bikes are creating a much needed, all-inclusive solution to these sedentary ways.   

Technology can defeat us, anchoring communities in front of screens and removing the need to go out and explore. However, improved technologies mean an affordable, sleek e-bike that will create a long-lasting alternative to car travel is a possibility. Currently, the global e-bike market is estimated to be valued at USD 15.42 billion and growing. So, it is inevitable that more people are going to be riding e-bikes tomorrow and well into the future.

Is riding an e-bike cheating?

Many lycra-wearing, coffee drinking socialites might argue that e-bikes are cheating, but sufficient evidence suggest the opposite. A recent study surveying e-bike use in seven European cities found that e-bike users get more exercise (almost 400 minutes more!) than those who ride normal bikes. In addition, they are also much less likely to drive a car or catch public transport than their non-e-bike counterparts. Many people who ride e-bikes also ride normal bikes resulting in higher weekly activity levels.

Photo Source: https://www.dysonbikes.com.au/ 

Are e-bikes good for the environment?

With a growing need to reduce congestion on our roads and promote alternative modes of transport, battery electric vehicles (BEV) are presenting themselves as the go-to option. Higher manufacturing emissions created through battery manufacturing are quickly offset by emissions savings from riding the bicycle. Simply, it’s a trade-off. Greater emissions during the production of BEV’s versus higher emissions from the use of petrol vehicles. One report from the Union of Concerned Scientists stated that, along with the oil-saving benefits of having fewer petrol cars on the road, a grid comprised of 80% renewable electricity could see an overall reduction of 60% in emissions created by manufacturing and consumption.

In seven European countries similar research found that of the companies that adopted pilot e-bikes, each country saved on average 7.9 tonnes of C02 per year. How long it takes to realize these benefits depends on where the owner plugs in and how the owner reuses or recycles the batteries. For example, the lithium-ion battery at the end of a vehicle application still has over 70% of its original capacity to store energy. Conclusively, yes, e-bikes are good for the environment and emit 23 times less carbon per year than most cars. To fully nerd out on these algorithms, visit Professor Brian Rose’s article on such matters. He uses mathematical and numerical models to study climatic processes on a global scale.

Are e-bikes a good fit for everyone?

With e-bikes now being made for every style of riding, with the right budget, there is an e-bike for everyone. For people affected by illness or impaired by other health conditions, the introduction of the e-bike has been a lifesaver. The added power as the pedelec motor engages makes carrying a load or going uphill doable. Trends in Europe show that e-cargo bike sales grew by 60% in 2019, boosted by the inclusion of cargo e-bikes into the FedEx and UPS fleet. Not only is this good for the industry, but it could mean one less delivery truck on the road.

If we can get the Queensland government to issue a rebate of $500, like that of Paris, we’ll be in an even better position to get the perfect e-bike. Cargo bikes can carry children or carry large loads helping to completely remove the need for a second vehicle. This saves money and contributes to a reduction in the projected $30 billion in costs of traffic congestion by 2030 (Australian Automobile Association). If you’re not riding an e-bike, praise the person that is. The choice to ride an e-bike benefits not only yourself but also reduces Co2 emissions, helping the environment become cleaner and greener.