Bicycle Queensland has welcomed plans for the biggest expansion in the history of Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, with more than 62 kilometres of new trails set to reinforce Cairns’ position as one of Australia’s core mountain bike destinations.
The Queensland Government has unveiled the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park Expansion Masterplan, designed by World Trail, which will grow the existing network from around 25 kilometres to more than 85 kilometres, securing Smithfield on the ‘must ride’ mountain bike map.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by late 2028, with the expanded network forecast to attract more than 53,000 riders annually.
Source: Tropical North Queensland
For mountain bikers, Smithfield needs little introduction. The rainforest-clad hills north of Cairns have been at the heart of Australian mountain biking for more than three decades. Smithfield has hosted UCI Mountain Bike World Cups and World Championships, along with recent editions of Crankworx Cairns. Of course, Smithfield’s roots cannot be confined to between the tape.
In the 1990s, Cairns riders and trail builders helped forge a distinctly Australian bike culture. Films such as Mud Cows and features on shows like Pepsi Max Extremists took the riding, characters and trails of Far North Queensland to riders around Australia and the world. Features including the Alien Tree, Jacobs Ladder, Croc Slide and the infamous Bowl of Death became part of Australian mountain biking folklore – and the majority of those features still exist in the trails. Although Jacobs Ladder became a descent and you might need a machete and some local knowledge to find the Bowl of Death.
Source: Wade Lewis
Cairns and Far North Queensland has changed in many ways since the 90s. However the mountain bike culture remains very much alive today, having expanded into a much wider community.
The Smithfield masterplan includes new beginner, intermediate and advanced trails to suit the expansion of mountain bike popularity and use since the 90s. There are upgraded trailheads and visitor facilities, improved event infrastructure, signage and safety measures, along with a long-term framework for sustainable trail management – an essential element for an area with such high rainfall.
BQ strongly supports investment in quality off-road cycling infrastructure across regional Queensland. Well-planned mountain bike networks provide accessible outdoor recreation for local communities while also creating destinations capable of attracting visitors, events and spending into regional economies.
Smithfield is an exceptional example because its reputation already extends around the world. Expanding the network gives Cairns an opportunity to build on more than 30 years of mountain biking history while creating a trail network suited to a much broader range of riders.
That said, Smithfield should not be an isolated example. BQ believes that targeted investment in mountain biking can support healthier communities, give young people places to ride, strengthen regional tourism and create new economic activity.
The recent Smithfield announcement demonstrates what is possible when governments recognise cycling infrastructure not simply as trails in the bush, but as long-term investment in the health and vitality of Queensland communities.
“Getting your kids on a mountain bike is pretty much the best thing any parent can do,” BQ Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack said.
“Mountain biking makes you much fitter, and improves strength and hand-eye co-ordination.
“There’s even research which shows that teenagers who are involved in mountain biking develop stronger social and emotional intelligence as a result.
“And the best bit: it’s amazing fun. I can’t wait to get back to Smithfield to ride these trails when they are done.”
Bicycle Queensland is collaborating with Brisbane-based bicycle user groups (BUGs) on a co-ordinated approach to ensuring best outcomes for the Barrambin/Victoria Park precinct, both in the lead-up the Olympics and then into the future.
The Brisbane Games construction authority (GIICA) has released a draft precinct plan, which shows plenty of positive aspects for cycling and walking. However, many of the details around path widths, the separation of bikeways from pedestrian and motorised traffic, and bike parking at the stadium itself, is hard to determine. BQ met with all the local BUGs to workshop the issues and what collectively we should be fighting for.
The North Brisbane Bikeway is now proposed as a separated facility alongside Gregory Terrace and Bowen Bridge Rd, before continuing as it currently does through Bowen Park. BQ and the BUGs are particularly concerned about the width available for a bikeway between Bowen Bridge Rd and the Old Museum, and on the bridge crossing the railway line, along this new alignment.
The Gregory Terrace route should be helpful considering the disruption that stadium construction and the Olympics will cause to the bikeway’s current location through Yorks Hollow and beside Gilchrist Ave. However, cycling advocates are keen to pursue building both routes, to add resilience into the bikeway network, and to also connect with Herston Rd and Aberleigh Rd towards Enoggera Creek.
The draft plan makes no clear reference to bike parking at the new stadium. BQ CEO Dr Matt Burke said: “International best-practice design for a modern stadium includes a secure bike parking facility for at least 500 bikes”.
Paris had bike parking at their main stadiums, so did London. Many of the US World Cup stadiums provided it. It’s an essential part of downtown stadium design in the 21st century.
Other topline areas that BQ and the BUGs will push for include:
Ensuring that bikeways built through these precincts are separated facilities.
Ensuring a quality active transport connection towards Fortitude Valley along Brunswick St or a parallel corridor. The athlete’s village’s placement at the Ekka grounds means that other railway stations, including Fortitude Valley, will need to carry massive numbers of stadium patrons.
The North Brisbane Bikeway’s long-term alignment should move away from the heritage-listed trees of Bowen Park and be re-aligned along the edge of the Ekka grounds, as part of the Athlete’s Village planning.
Dr Burke said: “We will be approaching our advocacy to GIICA as a unified cycling community, speaking as one voice with the Brisbane-area bicycle user groups. We’re all here to work constructively to find good solutions.”
After more than two decades of advocacy, one of Brisbane’s busiest and most important cycling connections is set for a major safety upgrade, with plans confirmed for a continuous, separated bikeway along Sylvan Road in Toowong.
Brisbane City Council has announced the final concept for the Sylvan Road Bikeway, which will create a continuous bi-directional bikeway separated from both car traffic and pedestrians between the Western Freeway Bikeway and Bicentennial Bikeway.
The project will address a long-standing missing link in Brisbane’s western cycling network, providing a safer and more direct connection through Toowong for thousands of people travelling towards the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said the announcement was a significant milestone after decades of calls to improve safety along the corridor.
“Bicycle Queensland and local bicycle user groups have been advocating for the Sylvan Road bikeway for at least 25 years. It’s one of the most-used bicycle routes into the city,” Dr Burke said.
“We’re delighted with the proposed designs. There will be much more road safety for everyone in the corridor. Well done to the Council teams involved.”
The final concept follows community consultation, where safety emerged as a key concern, particularly at intersections and on sections of Sylvan Road where bike riders currently travel close to motor vehicles.
The proposed design includes physical separation from traffic along the corridor, upgrades to key intersections and improved connections to surrounding neighbourhoods, parks, public transport and local businesses.
The upgrade will connect the Western Freeway Bikeway directly with the Bicentennial Bikeway, removing one of the most significant gaps on the route between Brisbane’s western suburbs and the CBD.
“For the first time ever, you’ll be able to ride from the Centenary suburbs through the city centre entirely on safe, protected bicycle infrastructure, with little risk from cars,” Dr Burke said.
The bikeway design is now being refined using community feedback and technical requirements, with Brisbane City Council expected to release the final concept design and further consultation findings soon.
The announcement represents an important step towards a better-connected network where protected infrastructure makes riding a realistic transport choice for more Queenslanders.
After 25 years of advocacy, closing the Sylvan Road gap is finally within sight.
Queensland councils have another opportunity to secure funding for safer bike riding and walking infrastructure, with the Federal Government opening applications for the next round of the National Active Transport Fund.
The program will make $90.2 million available for projects in 2026–27 as part of the Federal Government’s $500 million Active Transport Fund. Following overwhelming demand in the inaugural round, councils across the country are expected to once again compete strongly for funding that delivers safer, more connected communities.
We urge Queensland councils to put forward their shovel-ready projects to this granting scheme. The previous funding round attracted more than $430 million in applications for just $100 million in available funding, highlighting the strong demand for investment in projects that make it easier for people to ride and walk for everyday trips, and the fact that there is a long way to go to provide safe active transport infrastructure around the state and country. Projects such as Sylvan Road bikeway in Toowong, an active transport bridge in Dayboro and numerous walking paths have had funding committed so far.
Projects funded through the program focus on the construction or upgrade of bicycle and walking paths associated with public roads, helping create safer routes for transport, recreation and tourism while reducing congestion and supporting healthier communities.
Bicycle Queensland notes that this is a competitive process, and Councils that don’t bid for the funding will simply miss out.
“Bike riding is good for your waistline, for your wallet and it’s simply good for the world,” said Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack.
“Councils across Queensland already know this, and here is an opportunity to provide more safe bike riding for the people of your community. It’s a no brainer.”
Bicycle Queensland welcomes the continued investment in active transport and encourages Queensland councils to put forward planned projects that improve connectivity and remove barriers to riding.
Bicycle Queensland has welcomed three significant funding announcements for mountain bike trail networks across the state, highlighting the growing recognition of cycling infrastructure as an investment in healthier communities, regional tourism and Queensland’s outdoor lifestyle.
The funding includes $355,000 to Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club (GCMTB) for repairs to the Nerang National Park trail network on the Gold Coast as part of the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grants developed by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments. GCMTB President Bryan King said the club’s limited volunteer resources were insufficient to repair the extensive damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred across the trail network.
Source: Rocky Trail Entertainment
“Without funding from the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grant, we would not be able to restore the trails to a safe and sustainable condition, putting the entire network at risk of closure since Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has extremely limited funding which does not stretch to cover all needed mountain bike trail maintenance.”
Other clubs have received funding through other schemes, with $1.1 million for repairs at Douglas Mountain Bike Park in Townsville through the efforts of the Townsville Rockwheelers, and $813,000 for repairs and improvements at First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve in Rockhampton via Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club.
The club has grand plans for further expansion at First Turkey, including an 8km gravity trail from the top of Mount Archer. Given the club has attracted state level gravity events, the further investment would be a bonus for tourism and would help attract state or national level events.
Bicycle Queensland Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack, said the announcements were an important step towards growing participation in riding across Queensland.
“Formal, sustainable mountain bike facilities provide safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities to ride,” Demack said.
“These trail networks are community assets that support physical activity, connect people with nature and create opportunities for families and friends to spend time outdoors together. Continued investment in quality facilities helps more Queenslanders discover the benefits of riding.”
Mountain biking continues to grow in popularity across Australia, with trail networks increasingly recognised as valuable recreational infrastructure that delivers social, health and economic benefits to local communities.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said investment in mountain bike facilities also aligns with the state’s long-term economic and tourism ambitions.
“Queensland is blessed with incredible landscapes and outdoor destinations. High-quality mountain bike facilities attract visitors, support local businesses and help regional communities diversify their tourism offerings,” Dr Burke said.
“These projects demonstrate how investment in riding infrastructure contributes to healthier communities while supporting the Queensland Government’s vision for a thriving and active state. We congratulate the local clubs, volunteers and councils whose advocacy and hard work have helped secure this funding.”
The continued growth and improvement of formal mountain bike facilities across the state will be essential to supporting the future of bike riding in Queensland and ensuring more people have access to safe, enjoyable places to ride. Or as we like to say, it’s an essential part of having local trails for local kids.
Bicycle Queensland advocates for all types of riders. Membership supports BQ’s advocacy work around the state, while also offering extensive membership benefits.
Queensland’s new e-mobility laws are now in effect, introducing significant changes for riders of e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices. Here’s what riders need to know now, along with the further changes still to come later this year.
As of July 2026 ✅ Police seizure powers are in force ✅ New speed limits are in force ✅ Drink riding and new penalties are in force ⏳ Licensing and minimum age requirements begin on 31 August 2026 ⏳ The Government is still developing parts of the compliance assurance process and some exemption pathways
While the Queensland Government says the reforms are aimed at improving safety and reducing serious injuries and fatalities, many riders will be wondering exactly what the changes mean for them in practice.
Over recent months, Bicycle Queensland has worked extensively to ensure the voices of everyday riders were heard. While some of the more restrictive proposals were amended during the consultation process, several elements of the legislation remain overly complex and, in some cases, unclear.
Queensland Police have gained new powers to seize and destroy illegal devices, meaning those that don’t meet the requirements of the EN 15194 standard. A range of new offences and penalties will apply to riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, along with restrictions on use.
Drink riding laws have also been expanded. Riders, on any kind of bike, e-bike or e-mobility device, in public places, can now be subject to Random Breath Testing. You must stay within the same 0.05% blood alcohol limit that applies to motor vehicle drivers.
Speed limits have also changed. E-scooters and other personal mobility devices must be restricted so they cannot exceed 25km/h, while e-bike motors may only provide assistance up to 25km/h as per the EN 15194 standard. Riders can still travel faster than 25km/h on an e-bike, but only under their own pedal power – and not everywhere.
A new 12km/h speed limit will apply when riding on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. Of course, you’ll need to know whether you are on a footpath or shared path at the time, which is not always clear.
For e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles, access to roads with speed limits of up to 60km/h will be permitted, including on-road bicycle lanes, although riders remain limited to a maximum operating speed of 25km/h as per e-mobility speed limits. E-bikes are still able to be ridden on any road unless bikes are prohibited, such as on freeways.
Penalties have also increased substantially, with fines of $518 applying for offences including failing to wear a helmet, carrying a passenger, or riding on a prohibited road. These fines apply to both e-bike riders and bike riders.
Licencing and age requirements
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of licencing requirements for riders of e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices.
These requirements are not yet in force. From 31 August 2026, riders must be at least 16 years old and hold at least a learner’s permit for a driver’s licence.
However, the legislation includes a range of exemptions, including provisions for people with certain medical conditions or disabilities, as well as supervised riding arrangements for young people aged 12 to 17 years. There is also an exemption being developed for riding in designated areas like certain national parks and on rail trails.
The details of these exemptions are still being clarified and those exemptions may well come into being after 1 July 2026.
Questions still remain
While the legislation is now law, a number of practical questions remain unanswered.
What counts as a footpath?
The new 12km/h speed limit applies on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. However, many popular cycling routes across Queensland are known by names that may not align to their classification.
For example, the Jim Soorley Bikeway (and most other named bikeways) is actually a shared path. Many rail trails and recreational paths carry classifications and naming conventions that may not align. Councils have built extra-wide footpaths that are clearly for sharing along designated bikeway routes, but they may not have shared path signage. This can make it confusing for riders, and of course those in charge of enforcement.
BQ is seeking further clarification on how riders can confidently identify what rules apply in which locations.
Is your e-bike compliant?
The legislation introduces mandatory compliance labelling for e-bikes by 28 February 2027.
However, many riders already own perfectly legal e-bikes that meet the accepted Australian and European specifications:
Pedal assistance only
Motor assistance limited to 25km/h
Maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts
Many of these bikes do not currently display EN 15194 compliance markings, as the standard was removed from import requirements in 2021 by the Morrison Government. While it has been reintroduced nationally, there are not yet compulsory reporting arrangements to back this up, and so illegal devices are still entering the country.
The Government has consulted Bicycle Queensland and other stakeholders about processes for the promised pathway to compliance for bikes that meet the functional requirements of EN 15194. We support an assurance sticker approach working through retailers as the least-worst of the options available to Government.
The key question is who will bear the cost of this program: the government, retailers or riders themselves. This is not yet resolved. Bicycle Queensland believes the government should wear the cost, especially as people have bought bikes that at the time of purchase met all the safety requirements.
How will medical exemptions work?
The legislation provides exemptions for people who cannot obtain a driver’s licence because of medical conditions or disabilities. Once again, the Government has put out some options to stakeholders about how this might work, but details are unresolved and not yet public.
These details will be particularly important for riders who rely on e-bikes and other e-mobility devices as a practical transport option.
Which locations are exempt?
Good question. The legislation allows for a list of locations where age and licencing requirements may not apply. This is expected to cover many mountain bike parks, rail trails and recreational riding locations throughout Queensland.
However, the locations must be specifically included within the approved list, creating uncertainty until the final details are published. Bicycle Queensland would prefer that all national parks and conservation parks and Council reserves be exempted. We await the Qld Government’s list.
How can this be enforced?
This remains the largest question.
Bicycle Queensland has been one of the strongest voices calling for more resources for the Queensland Police Service to enforce the rules on the illegal devices masquerading as e-bikes. The e-mobility laws do not include any additional resourcing for the police to do this task.
Queensland Police will now be responsible for enforcing a framework that includes device classifications, speed restrictions, licencing requirements, age requirements, compliance standards and location-specific exemptions.
How officers will determine whether a device is compliant, whether a rider qualifies for an exemption, or whether a path is classified as a footpath or shared path remains unclear. The new laws may be used alongside existing laws that already cover the use of unregistered motor vehicles (overpowered e-motorbikes that don’t meet EN 15194). It is going to take time for law enforcement to work out what they can and can’t do with their new powers.
It is clear that QPS are making some rapid movements in enforcement, especially around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with publicised fines for rides not wearing a helmet and other offences.
What are the practical safety outcomes?
Bicycle Queensland supports efforts to improve safety and reduce serious injuries. However, concerns remain about whether the new laws address the primary source of risk.
The majority of serious incidents and fatalities involving e-mobility devices have involved non-compliant, high-powered devices that do not meet Queensland’s legal definition of an e-bike or personal mobility device. Yet even after these new laws are introduced, these products can still be imported and sold in Queensland shops under existing “private property use” provisions.
As a result, questions remain about whether the new laws will effectively target the non-compliant devices responsible for much of the dangerous and anti-social behaviour, or whether the changes will primarily impact riders already using safe, legal e-bikes responsibly.
Bicycle Queensland’s position
BQ will continue to work with the Queensland Government, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Queensland Police (QPS) to seek greater clarity around the new laws and ensure riders receive practical guidance on how to comply.
Those fines are synchronised with the fines for e-bikes and PMDs. And they are incredibly high.
As further details are released, BQ will continue providing updates and advocating for laws that improve safety while supporting the uptake of safe, legal and sustainable transport and recreation options.
By becoming a member of Bicycle Queensland, you support BQ’s advocacy for bike riders in Queensland, and have insurance cover for bike riding – full details of membership inclusions can be read here.
BQ’s E-bike rally at Brisbane Botanic Gardens 21-04-2026 to save safe legal e-bikes. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
Brisbane City Council have announced they are adding a much-needed 1.2km section to Brisbane’s growing bikeway network. The new addition will run along Shafston Avenue from Kangaroo Point to East Brisbane. Importantly, the addition will connect with existing bikeways at both Deakin Street and Mowbray park, delivering not just a safer route to the city – but one that is easier to navigate for new and experienced riders alike.
Bicycle Queensland is pleased to see the addition to the network as part of the CycleLink Cycleway commitment, which will be an essential part of moving people around the city for the Brisbane 2032 Games – and every other day of the year.
‘Brisbane has some excellent cycling infrastructure, and the bones of a great network. Projects like this are what’s required to connect existing bikeways to deliver safe, connected routes,’ said BQ’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack.
‘This extends the safe bikeways of Elizabeth and Edward Streets in the centre of Brisbane out to the Eastern suburbs for the first time,’ said BQ’s CEO Dr Matthew Burke.
‘Council is now fixing two of the most important missing links in the bikeway network, here at Kangaroo Point, and also at Sylvan Road in the west. With these two projects alone, you’ll now be able to ride safely all the way from Sumner and Jindalee, through to Norman Park. Now the challenge will be to extend the safe, low-risk bicycle networks further east, through Morningside, Seven Hills and Camp Hill.’
Dr Burke said ‘We’re grateful for Shafston Ave, but Bicycle Queensland is not giving up on the completion of the riverside bikeway that remains half-built along the western side of Kangaroo Point. We know completing this through would be incredibly popular, fulfilling the original Council Riverwalk plan that has already benefited Brisbane so much.’
Shaftston Ave is the third phase of the CityLink Cycleway program, following on from the initial stages that include the Kangaroo Point Bridge and connections through the CBD on Edward St and Elizabeth St towards Southbank via Victoria Bridge. The CityLink Cycleway will also be extended along Melbourne Street towards the heart of West End.
Costs for the project haven’t been released, however the project will be funded in the budget via a 50-50 agreement with the state government.
Brisbane City Council has released two sets of concept plans for the long-asked-for safe link from the Miskin Street terminus of the Centenary Cycleway at Toowong, and the Bicentennial Bikeway.
This one of the busiest bike commuting routes in Brisbane, and it runs for 1.8km along Sylvan Rd and Land Street. Bicycle Queensland and the bicycle user groups have been asking for a safe off-road route along Syvlan Rd since the Centenary Cycleway opened in 2005.
There are two concept design options for the Sylvan Road and Land Street corridor which both provide protected bikeways separated from people walking and driving. One option provides a continuous bi-directional bikeway and the other option is part uni-directional/part bi-directional bikeway.
The bi-directional version has some advantages. In that design, Sylvan Rd would be one-way only from the Milton Rd corner east-bound to Croydon Rd intersection. Even though the proposed bikeway would cross from one side of the road to the other halfway through that section, it would be crossing only one lane of traffic.
The alternate has a single lane bikeway either side of two-way traffic, in the same Milton Rd-Croydon Rd section.
One notable improvement that is shown on both proposed designs is the removal of on-street parking for the length of Sylvan Rd. This will certainly have a safety benefit for people using the bikeway.
Both designs use a bi-directional bikeway on the north side of Sylvan Rd, from the Croydon Rd corner east-bound past Wests Rugby and Toowong Memorial Park, and continuing along Land St until it joins the underpass towards the Bicentennial Bikeway.
Brisbane City Council is inviting people to “have their say” on these proposed designs. Bicycle Queensland’s message to our bike-riding community is to make sure you weigh in with massive support for the project. This is a bikeway that we don’t want to see held back by local residents who wrongly perceive that it will create problems for them. So hit the link and let them know!
