In response to a request from Bicycle Queensland, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP today announced a six-month trial of allowing bicycles and e-scooters on trains in peak hours.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said the six-month trial of allowing bicycles and e-scooters on peak hour trains in peak direction of travel, which will start 1 July, was a win for people who want flexibility in how they get around south-east Queensland.

“And combining public transport and bike riding helps you find your 30 minutes of physical activity for the day. And reduces carbon emissions. And it puts a smile on your face because you’re not stuck in traffic.”

“As it says on the Queensland Rail website: ‘Using your bicycle is a great way to get around South-east Queensland’!”  Ms Randazzo said.

Minister Bailey’s decision was a response to a letter sent in March, drafted by Bicycle Queensland and supported by all the bicycle user groups in the CityTrain operating area.

The letter highlighted Queensland Rail’s recent progress made in providing quality bike parking facilities at upgraded CityTrain stations but highlighted the prohibition of bikes on peak hour trains as a glaring issue in Queensland Rail’s services to bike riders.

“This is a great step forward, and we thank the Minister,” Ms Randazzo said.

“We would also like to be able to bring bikes on the G-Link tram on the Gold Coast, and a more liberal allocation for bike storage on the Tilt Train service from Brisbane to Bundaberg and Rockhampton,” Ms Randazzo said.

Bicycle Queensland recently attended the launch of Riding the Revolution: A New Approach to Active Transport in South East Queensland. CEO Rebecca Randazzo spoke on a panel at the event about the importance of infrastructure and incentivising active travel.

The report details how the rise of e-bikes and increase of cyclists due to the coronavirus pandemic could assist in long-term active travel change. As stated in the report, ‘the paper outlines a new approach to active transport planning, one that will capture the current opportunity and create a new policy and administrative framework to drive change for years to come.’

The 2020 State Election, to be held in the midst of the most serious public health crisis in a century, highlights the importance of active transport and regular physical activity in improving population health.

Bicycle Queensland’s priorities for the 2020 election fall into three areas:

1. Funding for the Principal Cycle Network
2. Safety of vulnerable road users around heavy vehicles
3. Cycle tourism and rail trails

Read through BQ’s 2020 State Election Infographic below and our letter to the premier here.

Queensland’s major toll-road operator Transurban has forecast a major increase in bike usage as society recovers from COVID-19.

Transurban commissioned a study which surveyed 4500 people in Australia and selected urban areas of North America. (https://www.transurban.com/content/dam/transurban-pdfs/03/Urban-Mobility-Trends-from-COVID-19.pdf)

Brisbane’s most exciting stat out of the whole survey shows up in how people expect their transport use will change. In Brisbane, use of the bicycle as a transport mode is up 36%, which is great. What is more surprising is the expected (future) use of the bicycle is up 71%.

In comparison, the expected use of cars and motorcycles is to stay the same, with train and bus public transport is expected to be down 15%.

Brisbane specific statistics highlight a major increase in bike usage as a mode of transport.

Data from road and public transport authorities show both private vehicle and public transport use was down during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. Sadly, private vehicle use has rebounded close to previous levels. Public transport use remains around 35-40% of previous levels.

The survey found that ‘personal health and safety’ has moved ahead of convenience in as a determining factor for the choice of transport mode.

Of the six factors influencing transport mode choice in the survey, sustainability remains the bottom of the list.

Transurban is not a neutral observer in this process. Their report reflects this, urging Governments to bring forward major road projects in response. They say these projects must include active transport options, saying “our survey showed an increased of up to 27% in cycling in most cities”.

Bicycle Queensland sees these results as confirmation of the findings of the survey we ran during the pandemic. Similarly, our survey found that 80% of respondents said they planned to cycle the same or more after the pandemic.

In conclusion, these survey results highlight the need for greater investment in active transport. For instance, it highlights the need for a safer environment for people switching from public transport, but also to provide those people driving motor vehicles, trapped in even greater congestion, to have another option to save time and money while boosting sustainability back up to its rightful place as a transport choice factor.

In light of Carolyn Lister’s tragedy last month, BQ’s CEO Rebecca Randazzo is asking for a national change to cyclist and heavy vehicle safety.

Rebecca expresses her concern for cyclists interacting with heavy vehicles stating that “while road design and upgrades responsibilities fall to State Governments, more can be done at the federal level to facilitate safer interactions between heavy vehicles and cyclists.”

In this letter, Rebecca has asked for the mandating of sensors and cameras on heavy vehicles to be added to the Transport Infrastructure Council Meeting agenda.

Read the full letter to the Deputy Prime Minister here.

Before COVID-19, 800,000 people across Queensland cycled every week, with higher than average participation rates occurring in Mackay, Gladstone and Cairns. 

Cycling has increased 300% in popularity during COVID-19 as it provides a way for people of all ages to remain connected to their community whilst maintaining physical and mental health. It is important we sustain this momentum around cycling in a post-COVID19 world.

BQ’s CEO, Rebecca Randazzo, wrote to the Premier about the impact that $22 million in funding will have on cycling across the state.

View the one pager here, and read the letter to the Premier here.

It has been an eventful three months navigating through COVID-19 at BQ. Despite a brief transition to a work from home structure, we have continued to advocate for safer cycling across QLD.

Read about the projects we have advocated for to improve cycling safety and accessibility in the link below.

Not included in this list are regular communications with BQ members and other bike riders on safety and infrastructure issues across the state.

View Quarter Two’s Advocacy Update here.

Queenslanders return to work frustrated that their end of trip facilities (EoT) are still closed and share concerns over COVID-19 hygiene and cleaning protocols. 

COVID-19 has seen an increase in cycling for health and the daily commute, as people avoid public transport.

Bicycle Queensland (BQ) commissioned an EoT survey and found that people are not happy with the hygiene standards or communication over cleaning routines.

To help cyclists and businesses develop solutions to current problems in their end of trip facilities, BQ has created a best practice guide for EoT users and managers.

“We want to make the most of the bike boom and help promote alternative modes of transport,” BQ’s Director of Education, Patrick Trowse said. 

“EoT fit outs should accommodate the needs of their users and this is not always the case,” Mr Trowse said.

Mr Trowse said user numbers increase when hygiene standards are adequate, and businesses should strive to maintain this so people feel confident and comfortable when arriving to after active travel.

We have a range of expert EoT facility partners who are ready to help with fit outs and other EoT services,” Mr Trowse said.

Recently, BQ called for State Government funding to support increased cycling in workplaces and Queensland is now well-positioned to support workplaces with bike parking, electric bike charging points, active transport salary packaging and essential education and training.

“Cities need to accommodate different transportation methods while maintaining appropriate safety norms,” BQ’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Randazzo said. 

Now is a great time for Queensland to expand the horizons for health and lifestyle. 

To achieve our goal of being Australia’s healthiest state, action must be taken to support education on safe bike riding in all its forms, particularly to and from work. 

For more information on how to promote safety in your EoT facility contact bqinfo@bq.org.au.

View the PDF document here.