Category: Advice

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Advice Education

Extra insurance for e-scooter riders! 

E-scooter insurance

We have some great news for e-scooter riders! 

As the leading provider of e-scooter insurance in Australia, Bicycle Queensland is proud to be piloting a new, increased insurance offering, providing you with more peace of mind each time you ride your scooter. 

Our e-scooter membership and e-scooter add-on will now cover you for personal accident insurance. Not only will you have peace of mind if you happen to cause an accident and injure someone or damage their property, but you will also be covered if you sustain injuries while riding your scooter. 

More information about the insurance can be found on our website, and information on e-scooter rules and regulations can be found here. 

E-scooter insurance is available as a standalone membership, without bike riding insurance, or it can be purchased as an add-on to our Individual or Concession bike riding memberships. 

We have you covered no matter where you live! You don’t need to live in Queensland to purchase our memberships; they’re available Australia-wide! 

From 1 September 2023, all existing members who have e-scooter insurance will be covered for personal accident insurance in addition to public liability insurance. As with our bike riding personal accident insurance, you can claim the out-of-pocket expenses after claiming through your private health insurance, and you also have access to income protection. 

To reflect these inclusions, the following price changes will be applied from 1 September 2023: 

  • E-scooter membership – $113 annual / $10.99 monthly
  • E-scooter add-on (annual) – $62 
  • E-scooter add-on (monthly) – $6.50 

We are very excited to offer this increased protection! If you have any questions, please check our website, FAQs or email membership@bq.org.au. 

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Advice Advocacy

Local Government Association of Queensland

For the first time, Bicycle Queensland’s advocacy team (Rebecca Randazzo and Andrew Demack) attended the annual Local Government Association of Queensland conference held in Mackay.

We had a prime location between the rugby league and AFL booths on the way to the refreshments area! As a result, just about every Council in Queensland stopped for a conversation. We had prepared three posters with our main talking points: cycle tourism, education and schools, and building the cycle network.

Cycle Tourism

Cycle tourism was clearly the top priority for councils. Many councils are already working on attracting mountain bike riders, following the example of the Wangetti Trail, now under construction from Palm Cove to Port Douglas in FNQ. Mackay Council is also building a trail of similar epic quality, from Eungella to Finch Hatton — that will be amazing.

We are working through our follow-up contacts with councils including Mareeba, Mackay, North Burnett, South Burnett, Scenic Rim, Cassowary Coast, Livingstone and Ipswich. Most of these are interested in either developing rail trails and other cycle tourism opportunities, but also getting the best value for money in cycle infrastructure.

Local Counterparts

On the way to Mackay, BQ’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack arranged meetings in Maryborough, Bundaberg and Rockhampton, meeting up with bicycle user group representatives and Councils. In Maryborough, we were delighted to see and experience the remarkable progress being made by Fraser Coast BUG on the Mary to the Bay rail trail. In Bundaberg, we met with Council staff to encourage progress on the Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail. In Rockhampton, we met with the local cycling group to discuss our collaborative response to the Council’s just-released Walking and Cycling Strategy.

Proudly supported by the Queensland Government

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Advice Advocacy Press releases

SEND A LETTER TO YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR

On the back of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, cycling organisations around the world have joined together and rallied for cycling to be a part of the Glasgow Declaration on Accelerating the Transition to 100% Zero Emission Cars and Vans.

Now it’s time to ask the question locally, what are your councillors doing to combat carbon emissions from transport?

If you would like to ask your local councillor what they are doing to combat carbon emissions from transport and emphasis the important role bike riding can play, follow the instructions below.

  • Download the draft letter here
  • Find your local councillor here
  • If you are unsure of your council area, click here 
  • Fill in the details on the draft letter
  • Send to your local councillor

Let’s make bike riding a priority transport method to combat carbon emissions.

Send a letter to your councillor
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Advice Advocacy

Bicycle Queensland State Budget Submission

BQ Budget Submission

Bicycle Queensland has recently submitted our recommendations for the 2022-2023 State budget. The focus area of our submission is to promote more people riding more often. The recommendations focus on investment in infrastructure, cycle tourism and getting more women and kids riding.

Read the full submission below.

BQ-State-Budget-2022-2023Download
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Advice Advocacy Uncategorised

COP26 CYCLING LETTER

Zero emission cycling.

COP26: More than 250 civil society organisations sign open letter calling on governments to boost global cycling levels to reach climate goals quickly and effectively

An open letter by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and a global coalition of pro-cycling organisations urging governments to cut transport emissions by investing in cycling has seen a surge in support from all over the world.

Since it was published on 2 November, over 190 civil society organisations have added their signature to the letter, which now counts more than 250 signatories from all over the world, including ECF, Greenpeace and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The letter calls on governments at COP26 to commit to significantly increasing the number of people who cycle in their countries in order to reach climate goals quickly and effectively. 

As the global pro-cycling movement continues to grow ahead of COP26 Transport Day (10 November), which is set to focus almost exclusively on the electrification of road vehicles, governments and transport ministers will be under pressure to take cycling into account when negotiating climate commitments related to the transport sector.

Today, transportation is responsible for 24% of direct CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, with the vast majority coming from cars, and these numbers are not decreasing. With global temperaturs rising fast, humanity cannot afford to wait decades for fossil-fuel cars to be fully phased out and replaced by electric vehicles. To quickly cut transport emissions on a massive scale and keep 1.5°C alive, governments need to invest in much more cycling now.

Combat climate change

ECF and its allies believe cycling represents one of humanity’s greatest hopes for a shift towards a zero-carbon future. Cycling produces zero emissions, delivers far-reaching positive societal impacts and relies on technology that is already widely available today.

The more than 250 signatories to the open letter call on governments and transport ministers attending COP26 to declare commitments to significantly boost cycling levels at home and collectively commit to achieving a global target of higher cycling levels. The letter was sent to governments ahead of COP26.

Bicycle Queensland is in full support of this movement. More people cycling more often is our goal and a global movement to get more people on bikes is incredibly important.

Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “The dramatic growth of this global civil society movement in only a few days sends a forceful message to governments at COP26 about the importance of active mobility. There is no conceivable way to reduce CO₂ emissions quickly enough to avoid the worst of the climate crisis without significantly more cycling.” 

Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “More people riding bicycles will reduce our transport emissions and help save our planet. It will also stimulate our green economic recovery after COVID-19 and relieve our overburdened public health systems. Investing in cycling is a low-cost, low-tech no-brainer. It is what any sensible political leader should be doing right now.”

Read the open letter to governments at COP26: www.cop26cycling.com

This article was created by the European Cyclist Federation.

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Advice Education Events Press releases

CEO Update

Dear members

As we move through the spring weather, I wanted to update you all on the work we have been doing to shape our riding agenda and the next phase of our work.

As Queensland’s point of connection for the future of riding, we have been working hard to reach out into regional areas, ensuring all riders, irrespective of where they live, have access to our member benefits and are represented in our advocacy voice. Since my last update, we have welcomed over 300 new members and congratulate Rob van Manen on his appointment as President. Rachel Nolan to Vice president, and Peter Thompson to Secretary at the recent Annual General Meeting. As we come out of a difficult two-year period, I wish to thank members for their ongoing support to Bicycle Queensland (BQ).

BQ continues to flex our advocacy muscle and now represent members on over 20 panels and steering groups across the state. BQ has been recently appointed a member of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee. The first meeting was held in Esk and outlined the forward plan of capital works from TMR and the four Councils which the trail runs through; Ipswich, Somerset, Toowoomba and South Burnett. The Steering Committee will give guidance and feedback as the authorities implement the BVRT Strategic Plan. Our top priority in physical terms for the BVRT is a program of tree planting in the exposed sections between Esk and Moore. The trail becomes an unpleasantly hot place to be in summer, and we want to promote its use all year round!

In addition, BQ has a seat at the table at the Sunshine Coast Active Travel Advisory Committee, with the first meeting held in Caloundra. We support the ATAC model, which has been beneficial in Brisbane, with strong support from key political decision-makers, including the Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey. Minister Bailey was present at this initial meeting of the Sunshine Coast committee, which was very helpful.

A stern test of the committee’s mettle will be discussions on a proposed Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade. BQ members at Caloundra have asked for our help in opposing this project in its current form, which puts a four-lane road through a green zone. We will report back on how this goes, but BQ, Qld Walks, and the local active transport advocates from Caloundra have requested an on-site meeting to see if there are alternatives to removing mature shade trees for this project.

Sunday, 17th October saw the community take to the streets for our 16th Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge. A big thank you to Downer group, our principal partner, who, without their support, the day would not be possible. We welcomed over 4,300 riders across a new course with 40km, 60km and 100km challenges offered. It was wonderful to connect with members, volunteers, and partners on what was a beautiful day to ride your bike. I’m proud to announce that our riders have raised over $100,000 for our event charity partner, Stronger For Longer.

Our education services continue to gain momentum and importantly sow the seeds for our ten-year strategy. These services have included the creation of content for new and experienced riders via blog posts, video series and online learning modules. Our impact in schools is growing with curriculum-aligned programs being delivered in pre-schools and primary schools across southeast Queensland. I am excited to announce the work we are undertaking with CARRS-Q to develop an Audio Visual (AV) curriculum which, when completed, provides a connection to secondary schools and workplaces.

I’m very proud of the work we have progressed in the Women’s advocacy space and the considerations we are taking to understand how we can support more women to ride for their health and wellbeing. Our HerRIDE campaigns are proving very popular and encourage members to save the date on 27th November for our HERride MTB day at Gap creek.

Until next time, happy and safe riding.

Rebecca Randazzo

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Advice Advocacy Press releases

Project Introduction – North Brisbane Bikeway

North Brisbane Bikeway

Brisbane City Council has released concept designs for the next stage of the North Brisbane Bikeway. This is an excellent step forward, making a safe, convenient and direct connection all the way to Eagle Junction and beyond.

The below announcement from Brisbane City Council:

Brisbane City Council is pleased to release the proposed concept design for the North Brisbane Bikeway: Price Street to Kedron Brook project between Dickson Street, Wooloowin and Jackson Street, Clayfield.

Attached is a copy of the project newsletter with information about the project, along with an invitation to have your say on proposed design options within the project alignment to finalise the connection between Price Street and the Kedron Brook Bikeway.

You can have your say via an online survey, which can be accessed from the North Brisbane Bikeway: Price Street to Kedron Brook project page on our website. The online survey closes on 19 November 2021.

Alternatively, you can speak with the project team at two community information sessions:

  • Thursday 4 November 2021, 5pm – 7pm at Eagle Junction Train Station
  • Saturday 6 November 2021, 9am – 11am at Kalinga Park (near Jackson Street)

All feedback received from the community will be considered by Council and used to inform the final design for the project.

If you agree with the need for this bikeway, please have your say as part of the public consultations.

Find all the information about the project HERE

Categories
Advice

COVID-19 riding update

We’ve been getting lots of questions from the cycling community about where people can ride at the moment, how far, whether they can drive to somewhere away from their home to go for a ride. There are many uncertainties and conflicting opinions circulating.

What is clear is that the Prime Minister, Queensland Premier, the Chief Health Officer and Queensland Police Commissioner have all said that people should only leave their homes for essential travel reasons only.  While exercising is included in this – they are urging people to stay in their suburb and saying exercise should be done locally.

Our advice is to ride from your front door and remain in your local area. 

What you consider to be your local area remains your judgement call. Perhaps if you’re questioning whether you should be doing something, it is best to give it a miss. 

Here’s the link to the Home Confinement, Movement and Gathering Direction.