Category: Advocacy

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Advocacy

Why changing school drop off habits could be a silver bullet for congestion 

If you’ve ever wondered why the daily commute feels smoother during school holidays – you’re not imagining it. Data from transport researchers shows that school traffic is a major contributor to peak-hour congestion, with almost 20% of trips in morning and afternoon peaks based on completing the school run. With thousands of short car trips made each morning and afternoon, school drop-off alone adds significantly to travel times and road stress for everyone. 

At Bicycle Queensland, we believe part of the solution lies in making it easier for families to choose active travel. Safe walking, cycling, and scooting routes to schools don’t just benefit students, they improve safety for everyone, improve children’s health, independence and social connections – all while easing pressure on our road network. That’s why BQ supports programs like Ridescore, and, Active School Travel. Ridescore is expanding on the Sunshine Coast with the help of local council funding and WeRide Australia advocacy. 

BQ active travel schools


Helsinki had zero road deaths in an entire year and has eleven times the number of cycle trips, per capita, than in Queensland cities. By comparison, Queensland’s road toll is climbing. 224 people have lost their lives on Queensland’s roads this year from January to September, over a 4% increase from the same period in 2024. Cycling deaths are up. This is despite billions spent on road upgrades. 

Part of Helsinki’s success has been the creation of 30km/h speeds in school neighbourhoods and investment in safer road crossings. That’s why BQ advocates for lower default speeds in our local streets, and for safer cycling infrastructure. Prue Oswin, from the Planning Institute of Australia, recently published the results of work with local school communities on active travel to schools. Her report shows one school reported a 55% increase in active travel, getting hundreds of car trips per week off the local street network, dramatically lowering congestion in the local area. All thanks to safer infrastructure and streets. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO, Prof Matthew Burke, said “When even Washington D.C. and Denver are making all their local streets 32km/h, let alone school zones, you know that Queensland’s street speeds are increasingly dumb. Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast just created a 30km/h zone, and local governments in Melbourne, Perth and elsewhere are also trialing 30km/h” 

One simple innovation not yet available to Queensland schools are temporary street closures, including at morning and afternoon peaks. In Europe, Japan and Korea, school crossing supervisors and selected school staff have the power to move expandable road barriers over local streets to temporarily block traffic. Some barriers are used just for quick crossings by a class to school ovals and parks located over the road from the main school campus; other barriers create “School Streets”, where the local street is closed to car traffic during peak times, improving road safety. There are now 400 School Streets in Paris, and hundreds in London. To allow this in Queensland just requires a modest change in the state’s regulations on temporary road closures. 

“School Streets are extremely popular with schools and local communities abroad, offering a much safer and more social space at the school gate.” said Matthew Burke. “They replace outdated car-based school drop-off arrangements that prioritise car travel into or through the school gates, which just concentrate road danger tightly into the school environment.”  

What can you do – now?

Active transport solutions don’t need to be complicated. Families can take small steps that add up to a big impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind around school drop off for your own family: 

  • Halfway is OK – Park part way and ride, walk, or scoot the last stretch. It takes you out of any congestion close to school, makes it safer for others, and adds some time outdoors to the start and end of the day. 
  • It doesn’t need to be every day – Allowing children to cycle or scoot one or two days a week reduces congestion and will build good habits for you and your children. 
  • Lead by example – Ride or walk with your younger children; wear your own helmet correctly; and, model safe riding behaviour on paths and roads. 
  • Make it social – Encourage your children to ride with others. Map a safe route and share it with other parents. Contact your school or P&C to make active travel part of the culture – you could even consider a bike bus once a week! 

Reducing school drop-off traffic isn’t just about saving time on the roads. It’s about building healthier habits, giving kids independence via safe travel, and creating safer, calmer neighbourhoods. The best part is, every family that chooses active travel, even some of the time, makes the journey easier for everyone. 

BQ school student membership
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Advocacy

Brisbane’s Story Bridge opens for active transport users

The shared use paths on Brisbane’s Story Bridge have been closed since ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, in March 2025. Post storm inspection showed the concrete pathways were dangerously thin, alongside other issues with the structure. Since then, active transport users in Brisbane have missed this vital link across the Brisbane River, with the detoured route not suiting many users. One side of the bridge’s shared paths are now set to open on Friday October 3.

In the meantime, volunteers have organised a Bike Bus across the Story Bridge, but this did not account for walkers, runners or e-scooter riders. The replacement decking fitted by Brisbane City Council allows all active transport users access again – and is part of the council’s long-term plan to restore the Story Bridge.

‘I saw the new decking as I rode past just this morning, and it looked great,’ said Professor Matt Burke, Bicycle Queensland’s newly appointed CEO. ‘This is a win for everyone who bikes, walks, runs or scoots in the inner-city. We are really happy the Story Bridge is open to cyclists and pedestrians again. Its loss was a major problem these last months. Congratulations to the Mayor and those at Council who got the decking fixed much earlier than predicted.”

‘The Story Bridge is emblematic of something much bigger though. There are a lot more roads, bridges and cycling facilities not being maintained at good standard, right across Australia. Local governments find it increasingly difficult to maintain their existing transport infrastructure, let alone build more. They own most of the roads, cycling and foot paths; they own the responsibility to fix them. But councils receive only a tiny percentage of our total tax revenues. They are becoming chronically underfunded, especially in the regions.’

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Advocacy

Can you manage a Week Without Driving? 

How long could you get by without using a car? A day? A week? For many Queenslanders, driving feels like the only option – but what happens when we look beyond the steering wheel?

The Week Without Driving is a global initiative that shines a light on what it’s like to live without access to a private vehicle. It began in the US with disability rights advocates, and has since spread internationally. In 2025, the Week Without Driving runs from September 29 to October 5th. Bicycle Queensland and Queensland Walks are proud to support the campaign here in Queensland along with disability and sustainable transport groups worldwide.

Taking part means choosing to make all your everyday trips by bike, on foot, on public transport, or by sharing rides. It’s not just a personal challenge but an invitation to see our communities through a new lens. What’s easy? What’s difficult? And where could we make changes to ensure everyone, whether they can drive or not, has safe and affordable ways to get around?

The Week Without Driving is a chance to:

  • Experience the barriers faced by people who can’t or don’t drive.
  • Discover the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, cycling, and catching public transport.
  • Share your insights with decision makers, helping create communities that are more connected, inclusive, and sustainable.

“The Week Without Driving campaign reminds us that everyone needs safe and connected streets especially for people who walk, ride, or roll,” said Anna Campbell, Executive Officer at Queensland Walks.

“This initiative is about awareness and action,” said BQ’s CEO Matt Burke. “When more of us experience life without a car, even briefly, we see how vital good walking and cycling infrastructure is for our neighbourhoods. We learn about the paths, the cycling routes and public transport options that already exist, and how to use them in future. We empathise more with those who have no choice but to do all their trips car-free.”

Whether you commit to a single day, or take on the full week, you’ll be helping spark important conversations about transport, access, and equity in Queensland. Of course, it is ok to drive – but use it as a chance to reflect on the difficulties for those who aren’t in a position to opt for private motorised transport.

More details are available on the Week Without Driving website: https://weekwithoutdriving.org/

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Advocacy

BQ’s advocacy tour from Mackay to Gympie 

Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack, has just completed the first week of a regional advocacy tour through central Queensland. Across seven stops – Mackay, Yeppoon, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Gympie – Andrew met with BQ members, community groups, councillors and riders to hear about local opportunities and challenges for cycling. 

The forums highlighted strong grassroots commitment, creative ideas, and a clear need for better coordination and support between councils, state government, and community groups. 

Mackay 

“Mackay was a really positive meeting,” Andrew said. “We had two councillors, Alison Jones and Ash-lee Johnson, plus representatives from the mountain bike club, the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail crew, and long-term advocates like Peter McCallum and Liz Crane. It was a strong cycling group with lots of experience in the room.” 

The standout issue was support for the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail. “There’s so much community energy there, but the hard yards are being done by volunteers. What’s really needed is more tangible support from Mackay Regional Council.” Since the meeting the Queensland Government has announced $75,000 funding for the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail.

Bicycle Queensland often see opportunities to link rail trails with existing mountain bike parks, and that is especially with the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail and Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Park. “There’s great potential where these projects connect,” Andrew said. 

On transport, the councillors present expressed support for a greater focus on walking and cycling, though resources remain tight – as is the case with most councils. “But the active transport strategy they’re developing could help realise some of that potential.” 

School travel was another concern. “There was a lot of discussion about how kids get to school and the importance of keeping them active in their local area.” 

Yeppoon 

The Yeppoon forum was small but enthusiastic. “We only had a few people, but they were passionate about the Pineapple Trail – the proposed rail trail from Yeppoon towards Rockhampton,” Andrew explained. 

At present the trail finishes at the edge of the golf course in Yeppoon, but with relatively little extra work it could reach Mount Chalmers, about a third of the way to Rockhampton. 

“The people there were really supportive. Livingstone Council has done pretty well with their coastal pathway network in recent years, so there’s been progress. But the Pineapple Trail is still unrealised potential.”  

Livingstone Council is smaller than Rockhampton, and the trail sits mostly in Livingstone. BQ believes that significant interest from Rockhampton Council would be needed to see further progress. 

The Queensland Government’s recent announcement for investment in regional rail trails as part of their 2045 tourism strategy is welcome news. While the Pineapple Trail wasn’t one of the four rail trail projects to receive funding, it shows the strategic plan from the government is on the right track.

Rockhampton 

Rockhampton’s mountain bike community continues to impress us here at BQ.  

“The Rocky Mountain Bike Club is putting in 400 hours of volunteer trail care at First Turkey – and that’s per quarter,” Andrew said. “They’ve doubled the hours they recorded last year, partly because they’re tracking it better, but also because they’re doing a huge amount of work.” 

The club is also close to securing funding for a trailhead. “It’s about equitable access,” Andrew explained. “People need a place to change, toilets, basic sporting amenities – not just having to sit in a car park. They’re looking at Sport and Rec funding for the trailhead, and hopefully Rockhampton Council will do the car park alongside it.” 

Council was represented at the forum and expressed support. “Cycle 4 Life has representation on the council’s walking and cycling reference committee, so they’ve got a voice. Rockhampton has the bones of a good shared path network – but it could be better.” 

Gladstone 

In Gladstone, discussion turned to both local riding conditions and the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail. “We had people from council, sport, local riders, and some engaged with the rail trail,” Andrew said. 

One intriguing proposal was to repurpose a disused rail corridor leading from the port through town. “It could be a really good off-road shared path through the heart of Gladstone. The corridor’s owned by the Port Authority, but it’s no longer used. If that could be opened, it would be a game-changer for local riders.” 

The Boyne Burnett Trail itself remains a unique draw – despite the timeline on it being a fully connected route being unknown.  

“It’s a remote and adventurous trail,” said Andrew, talking of the potential of the trail for the future. “You’re not going to get the numbers of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, but it’s special. Riding through the tunnels out there is something you won’t find anywhere else. It could become an iconic stop for grey nomads and adventure riders.” 

The Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is one of the regional rail trails that the Queensland Government has announced further funding for, with $1.6 million for further rail trail development and improvements.

Bundaberg 

Bundaberg produced a strong turnout. “We had about ten people, and as always the need for a safe route between Bundaberg and Bargara came up. It’s the old standby, a missing link that locals really want solved.” 

The group also highlighted opportunities along the Coral Coast. “If you filled in just a couple of missing links, you could ride almost continuously off-road from Elliott Heads to Burnett Heads — about 35 or 40 kilometres. That’s spectacular. It would be brilliant tourism infrastructure as well as great for locals. I think they should market the whole thing as the Turtle Trail, and finish it properly.” 

Concerns about children’s safety came through strongly. “Parents don’t find it safe to let their kids ride to school, and one Christian college in particular is almost impossible to access by bike. That’s disappointing.” 

Andrew noted the wider issue: “New schools are being built without safe walking or riding access. State schools are better than private schools on this, but the environment around schools isn’t given the level of priority we’d like. We have to keep pushing for safe routes to school. And that includes new schools and existing ones.” 

Local mountain bikers also raised the need for closer-to-home trails. “At the moment Bundaberg’s trails are half an hour away. Brad Cook from Mountain Biking Bundaberg  is really pushing council to find land for trails in town, and that would be a great step.”  

Here at BQ, we firmly believe that having local trails for local kids helps normalise bike riding for younger generations. 

Gympie 

The Gympie forum drew a broad mix of people and groups. “We had mountain bikers, road riders, the treasurer of the BMX club, and even a retired councillor who’s a BQ member. It was a really good crew.” 

BMX emerged as a major strength. “The club is massive, they had 842 competitors at their state championships and expect over 1,000 in Mackay. But when kids finish BMX at 16 or 17, they often fall away from bike riding. A pump track could be a great bridge between BMX and mountain biking, helping keep young people on bikes.” 

Rail trails also featured. “There’s the Kilkivan–Kingaroy Rail Trail, but it has challenges with poor design at gully crossings. They just wash out, and it makes sections almost unrideable. Gympie Council really needs to look at redesigning those entry and exits with longer gradients and switchbacks so the trail is sustainable.” 

The Mary Valley Rail Trail is another project with promise. “Stage two could go ahead towards Imbil, with potential funding linked to the pumped hydro project. That would be a great boost.” 

Reflecting on the week, Andrew was heartened.  

There are further regional forums coming up – all the dates and locations are listed on the BQ website.

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Advocacy

BQ Supports Road Vehicle Standards Amendment Bill 2025

Bicycle Queensland has welcomed the introduction of the Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 by Dr Sophie Scamps MP in Parliament on Monday September 1. The bill calls for the reinstatement of the EN15194 standard for imported e-bikes in Australia, matching one of the requests Bicycle Queensland has made through our submission to the Queensland Government’s Inquiry into E-mobility.

BQ Interim CEO Liana Heath stated that the bill is an important step towards improving safety for riders and restoring public and user confidence in the rapidly growing e-mobility sector.

“Bicycle Queensland has long advocated for clear, enforceable standards for e-bikes,” she said. “Our members want to know that the bike they purchase is safe, compliant, and fit for use on Australian roads and paths. We support Dr Scamps’ national efforts to address the growing issue of high-powered, unsafe imports that pose a risk to riders and the community.”

BQ’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack said the bill reflects the concerns raised by Bicycle Queensland in its letter to Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg earlier this year, as well as its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility.

“The absence of a clear national standard has left consumers and retailers exposed to dangerous and illegal products,” Andrew Demack said.“Reinstating EN15194 will provide certainty and support legitimate suppliers all via an existing, recognised global standard. EN15194 places limits on continuous power, speed limits and battery safety. It addresses many of the current device concerns around e-mobility.’

Bicycle Queensland’s position paper on high-powered e-bikes highlighted the urgent need for harmonised rules across jurisdictions and for better education around the legal definition of an e-bike.

Although Private Members’ Bills often struggle to receive the backing of the Government of the day, they play an important role in highlighting issues and pressuring all parties to work towards solutions. Bicycle Queensland encourages members and the wider cycling community to stay informed and support efforts to improve e-bike safety nationwide.

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Advocacy

Bicycle Queensland’s September 2025 Regional Tour dates

Bicycle Queensland is pleased to announce a comprehensive regional tour through Northern and Southern Queensland, scheduled for September 2025. The tour will be led by Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack, and aims to engage with local Bicycle Queensland members, bike riders, the bike industry, tourism bodies, schools, universities and regional councils across Queensland. It is your chance to come along, have your say and help shape the future of bike and scooter riding in Queensland.

The Regional Forum Tour underscores Bicycle Queensland’s commitment to advocating for bike and e-scooter riding as a vital component of community health, sustainable transport, and tourism opportunities for the state of Queensland. Throughout the tour, Andrew Demack will meet with stakeholders to discuss the benefits of bike and e-scooter riding, effective transport planning, opportunities for recreation and the significant impact of riding on local economies and community well-being.

Andrew Demack already visited communities between Cairns and Townsville earlier in 2025, including attendance at the Queensland Mountain Bike Forum – his findings are already published.

Regional Tour dates and locations

DateTimeCityLocationMeeting RSVP
15/9/20254:30pmMackayMackay Meeting Room, Jubilee Community Centre, 258 Alfred St MackayRSVP Here
16/9/202512 noonYeppoonYeppoon Community Centre, 80 John StRSVP Here
16/9/20255:30pmRockhampton
Gold Room, 62 Victoria Parade		RSVP Here
17/9/202512 noonGladstoneGladstone City Library meeting room, 39 Goondoon StreetRSVP Here
17/9/20256pmBundabergBundaberg School of Arts, 184 Bourbong StRSVP Here
18/9/202512:30pmHervey BayPialba Memorial Hall, 1 Main St PialbaRSVP Here
19/9/202512 noonGympieThe Pavilion, 77 Exhibition Rd, Southside GympieRSVP Here
22/9/256pmIpswichTBCRSVP Here
23/9/2512 noonWarwickWarwick Art GalleryRSVP Here
23/9/256pmToowoombaToowoomba City LibraryRSVP Here
24/9/256pmSunshine Coast and NoosaCommunity Co-Lab, MaroochydoreRSVP Here
25/9/2512 noonMoreton BayRedcliffe Volunteer HubRSVP Here
25/9/256pmRedlandsVictoria Point Community HallRSVP Here
3/10/255:30pmGold CoastBroadbeach Community CentreRSVP Here

(More towns, dates and locations are being finalised – email media@BQ.org.au for details)

Andrew Demack expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tour, given it is a chance to connect directly with BQ Members, the broader riding community and decision and policy makers around the state.

“Bike and e-scooter riding play a crucial role in enhancing the liveability of our communities, promoting active lifestyles, reducing traffic congestion and even delivering clear economic benefits. We look forward to discussing these important issues and advocating for better infrastructure and policies throughout Queensland’s regions.”

BQ encourages you to attend a forum near you, to connect with BQ, share your local experiences and challenges and contribute to shaping advocact for better bike and scooter infrastructure and policies.

Bicycle Queensland would like to thank the Queensland government for their support in undertaking this essential regional advocacy work, so we can understand the trends and challenges facing bike riding and micromobility. Bicycle Queensland aims to work with the Department of Transport and Main Road to communicate the investment opportunities around infrastructure and actions to best serve BQ members, stakeholders and communities.

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Advocacy

BQ attends inaugural LGAQ Active Transport Forum

Bicycle Queensland interim CEO Liana Heath and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack attended the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) first-ever Active Transport Forum on Friday 15 August.

This is a great initiative by LGAQ because it gives an opportunity for larger Councils with more resources and more staff to share their innovations and resources with smaller Councils. This inaugural forum had presentations from TMR experts on safe bicycle infrastructure design, and from Councils on projects including safe street environments around schools and connecting sections of bikeway. Bicycle Queensland’s presentation looked at the feedback we received from holding forums for bike riders across every major centre in the state.

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Advocacy

Tragedy in WA underscores need for urgent action on illegal high-powered e-bikes 

Bicycle Queensland extends our sympathies to the family and community of the woman tragically killed over the weekend in Edgewater, Perth. She died after being struck by a high-powered, unregistered electric motorbike, which Police say was being ridden recklessly by a 17-year-old who has since been charged with manslaughter.  

This devastating incident is a stark reminder that the widespread availability and misuse of illegal e-mobility devices pose serious risks not only to those who ride them, but to every user of shared paths, roads and other public spaces. 

While the incident occurred in Western Australia, the same types of devices are easily purchased in-store and online in Queensland, despite being illegal to use on public roads and paths. 

“The e-motorcycle device actually does have a place legally – on purpose-built motocross tracks such as QLD Moto Park near Boonah,” said Andrew Demack, Director of Advocacy at Bicycle Queensland. “But using these devices on paths and roads in our suburbs and cities is just as dangerous and illegal as young people hooning on petrol-powered motorbikes – except maybe more dangerous because they are much quieter.” 

These devices – often incorrectly marketed as e-bikes – can travel up to 60 km/h and beyond purely under throttle assistance from the motors that can have 5000W of power or more. The e-motorbikes are not even equipped with pedals, and far exceed Australia’s legal limit of 250W continuous power and 25 km/h of pedal-assisted speed. That makes them, by law, unregistrable electric motorbikes – yet they are still widely available online and in some retail stores. 

Queesland’s e-bike rules

Many are purchased by teenagers and less experienced riders, with little awareness of the legal or safety risks. Public frustration is rising, with increasing reports of these high-powered devices being used recklessly on bikeways, footpaths, and walking trails and mountain bike trails across Queensland – and Australia. 

Bicycle Queensland supports e-mobility as part of a healthy, sustainable transport future. But safety and legal clarity must come first – as outlined in our position statement and presentation to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry on e-mobility. 

We call on the Queensland Government to: 

  • Enforce existing laws around illegal e-bikes and PMDs with immediate effect 
  • Ban the sale of non-compliant devices that exceed speed and power limits 
  • Support public education to help people understand what’s legal and safe 
  • Empower police and transport officers to test and remove illegal vehicles 
  • Encourage speed-governing measures on existing devices where possible 

Queensland has an opportunity right now to address this issue to prevent future harm. The current mix of unclear rules, unregulated sales, and growing use of high-powered devices is a recipe for exactly the kind of fatal incident we saw in Perth. Not if, but when.