Building new bikeways and shared paths is the most positive way that Queensland cities can use the Federal Government’s post-pandemic stimulus money.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said bikeways and shared paths will give a massive economic, health and sustainability benefit to Queensland local authorities which are now eligible to receive their share of $500 million of Federal stimulus money.

The Federal Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program has made $41,282,528 available to local governments in Queensland, to be spent in the 20-21 financial year. All councils have to do is submit a work schedule outlining the projects.

Cycling and walking paths are specifically listed as eligible community infrastructure for this program.

The State Government’s own assessment program for bicycle infrastructure has demonstrated that each dollar spent on bikeways can return up to $5 in benefit to the community.

Bicycle Queensland is working with local bicycle advocacy groups across the state to help communities determine what new paths they would like to see built as part of this program.

“Thousands of Queenslanders started riding their bikes more during the pandemic, and many more were walking more for exercise,” Ms Randazzo said.

A survey commissioned by Bicycle Queensland of more than 3000 people across the state found that 81% of the respondents wanted to keep riding their bikes after the pandemic.

“Now is a great time for local Governments to use this post-COVID stimulus money to bring about positive change in their communities.

“More people cycling and walking makes for a healthier community. It helps address our national obesity crisis. It contributes to lowering pollution and carbon emissions.”

“And best of all, if we plan the paths wisely, it has a 500% return on investment. Surely every local government in Queensland wants to be part of that,” Ms Randazzo said.

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Sources:

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program/index.aspx

Queensland Department for Transport and Main Roads Infrastructure Benefit Evaluations: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling/Research-and-resources/Infrastructure-benefit-evaluations

Cycling during COVID-19 survey: https://bq.org.au/news/riding-a-bike-is-39-times-better-than-going-to-the-gym-queenslanders-say/

Release by Bicycle Queensland.

More information or comment from

Rebecca Randazzo, CEO

Email: r.randazzo@bq.org.au or phone 0411 260 336

Andrew Demack, Director of Advocacy

Email a.demack@bq.org.au, or phone 0411 688 460

The Department for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) commissioned consultants to develop a draft strategic plan for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).

Read the Draft Strategic Plan here

The trail has an extensive history and covers the three local government areas of Somerset, Toowoomba and South Burnett. Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy participated in the strategy workshop held in Esk in late 2019, and we have now submitted a response to the draft strategy.

Read BQ’s response to the draft strategic plan here

While BQ wholeheartedly agrees with the main points of the strategy, there remains an open question as to whether TMR is the right department to develop, govern and market a tourism asset. As rail trails are not a transport asset, it is highly unlikely for TMR to prioritise the BVRT. Despite the fact, the tourism potential of rail trails across the state is substantial. As an example, the Central Otago rail trail in NZ generates more than 15,000 visits each year and injects upwards of $12 million annually into a regional economy. 

Rail trails provide a scenic, off-road experience for cyclists of all skill levels and ages. As a way of introducing rail trails to a broader audience, Bicycle Queensland has been holding events on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail for the past five years. Queensland has four major rail trails either planned, under construction, or now completed. All of them have potential to become economically successful tourism spots if there is enough support and investment behind the idea.

Bicycle Queensland believe there is a mountain of potential to hold events and boost tourism in the South Burnett and Far North Queensland area through the trails. We hope to explore the trail possibilities in Central Queensland as well as we move forward.

Whilst Australia has responded promptly to COVID-19, the result of lockdown measures has left us concerned with current cycling safety standards.

Dr Ben Beck, from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, led the important call from health and transport experts. He expressed his concerns for safety, as our paths and cycleways are inadequate to handle the physical activity requirement during COVID-19.

The Australian Government recognised the importance of remaining physically active during the pandemic, listing exercise as one of four essential activities. As a result, many Australians have been getting active across the country by walking and cycling.Whilst this is positive, many areas lack sufficient space required to maintain critical physical separation.  

Bicycle Queensland CEO, Rebecca Randazzo and Dr Beck collaborated on this letter, calling on decision makers to take urgent steps to provide more space for walking and cycling during and after the pandemic. The letter was sent to all State and Territory Transport Ministers and co-signed by over 100 Australian experts and Bicycle Queensland.

In efforts to improve cycling accessibility throughout Brisbane’s CBD and adapt to the recent surge of cyclists, Bicycle Queensland has put forward concept plans to Brisbane City Council and the State Government for separated bikeways on George Street and Mary Street.

The journey of so many CBD cyclists is hazardous, putting not only existing riders at risk but also discouraging any potential cyclists from commuting to the city. As a solution to this problem, the ‘pop-up’ lanes proposed by Bicycle Queensland will provide a safe route for existing and future riders to cycle through the CBD.

Safety is a priority for all cyclists

“Improving safety and convenience in the CBD itself takes away one more major barrier for people who want to return to their workplaces, but don’t want to be stuck in traffic for hours”, highlights CEO of Bicycle Queensland, Rebecca Randazzo. “People who work in the CBD need incentives to leave the car at home, and get to work by bicycle and walking,”. The proposed pop-up bikeways aim to drastically improve the safety and cycling experience for thousands of city workers, students and delivery riders in the inner city.

The advocacy team have felt strongly about pushing for more CBD bike lanes for some time, however we believe now more than ever is an opportune time to fast track the long-term plans of an inner-city CBD grid. We know first-hand that new riders prioritise safe infrastructure as a deciding factor to whether or not they keep riding. Having pop-up bikeways implemented in busy CBD areas is our first proposed step to making riders feel more safe and comfortable riding through the city.

The proposed plan

Before developing these plans, we consulted with expert Government stakeholders and contacts to ensure our proposed ideas were viable. The plans show a 3-metre wide, bi-directional bikeway extending from the existing lanes on George Street along to Mary Street. The Mary Street bikeway flows from George Street through to Edward Street, ensuring a seamless experience travelling from an east to west direction in the CBD.  

Construction for the Queen’s Wharf precinct and the Cross-River Rail have affected both George Street and Mary Street, changing road conditions and limiting car usage. Repurposing these streets and implementing pop-up bikeways supports active commuting in the city with minimal change to current road setups.

“The last thing we need is for every person who usually takes public transport to the city getting into their cars”.

CEO of Bicycle Queensland, Rebecca Randazzo

It is important to note the plans do require the removal of some on-street parking on both George and Mary streets, however both on and off-street parking is available nearby. The infrastructure can be achieved in a matter of days by using barriers and line divides on existing roads. This projection is similar to the planned pop-up cycle ways recently announced for Sydney.

Rebecca Randazzo makes a valid point concerning social distancing implications on transport, stating that, “Public transport continues to be a difficult proposition for many people as we come out of the pandemic but still continue with social distancing.”

The plan moving forward

Bicycle Queensland’s advocacy team were proud to present these plans to Brisbane City Council’s chair of Public and Active Transport, Cr Ryan Murphy, and also separately to the State Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP. We will endeavour to keep you all updated with progress on the proposal moving forward. Bicycle Queensland’s advocacy team would like to thank CBD BUG and Space4Cycling Brisbane for prior work done on this idea and previous BQ campaigns.

If you are interested in finding out more about this proposal, you can read more via the link below:

CBD Pop-up Cycle Space Proposal