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.
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.
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.
Sources:
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program/index.aspx
It looks like cycling could be here to stay post-pandemic as we see bicycle numbers soar in local schools. Ferny Grove State School now needs a second bike rack, because their current rack has been full every day since students returned to school.
Ferny Grove State School’s overflowing bike rack.
Ferny Grove State School Principal, Brett Shackleton, said that more families are travelling to school together by bike. He adds that it’s now common to see a bottleneck at most gates in the school as keen cyclists try to get a good spot in the bike racks.
“We’ve had to provide temporary bike racks just to make do in the interim,” Mr Shackleton said.
Riding to school is important, as 39% of Queenslanders are not getting enough exercise and screen time dominates the home school environment. The bicycle commute is a simple way for communities to get their 60 minutes of accumulated physical activity a day and combat screen fatigue.
Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Education, Patrick Trowse is thrilled so many kids are riding to school again.
“Commuting to school not only covers the daily exercise needs, but also gives students an opportunity for growth and development.
“As bike paths and racks fill up, it is time to push for improved conditions for cycling, so that even more families will consider riding to school,” Mr Trowse said.
When government officials started discussing isolation restrictions in the early stages of COVID-19, Bicycle Queensland pro-actively put forward requests to keep bike shops open as essential services.
Bicycle Queensland wrote to the QLD Premier, the Hon Anastacia Palaszczuk, Minister for Health, the Hon Steven Miles MP, the Minister for Small Business, the Hon Shannon Fentiman MP, and the Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young for assistance in this matter.
Our letter outlined that bike shops are essential services for cyclists and must remain open (with appropriate safeguards) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We quoted Bronwyn Victor, owner of Planet Cycles in Woolloongabba, who said there was no question that bike shops should keep trading.
“Bicycle use is now more than ever essential, for both transport and mental and physical health. It is imperative that bicycle stores remain able to function for both servicing and supply of vital parts and accessories (e.g tyres, tubes, helmets, lights, brake pads) to keep these people moving safely,” Bronwyn said.
We highlighted that bicycle food delivery services and bike courier services provide valuable support to our small businesses, hospitality and logistic industries. For many restaurateurs and small businesses, bicycles are critical in providing home delivery services and is the only way they can continue to trade during the pandemic.
In efforts to validate the need for bike shops, the BQ team encouraged the bike-riding community to support their local bike shop on our social media channels. As an authority on advocacy and education, we also offered guidance on appropriate measures for social distancing to enable bike shops to continue to trade safely. The Facebook campaign encouraging people to tag their local bike shop was very successful, with more than 130 comments from our community showing appreciation for their local bike shop.
The Department for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) commissioned consultants to develop a draft strategic plan for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).
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.
In the last few months, the BQ team have been contributing to some pivotal discussions around COVID-19 lockdown measures. Throughout the lockdown, BQ has been providing updates and guidance on how to cycle safely during COVID-19.
BQ’s CEO, Rebecca Randazzo had meetings with Queensland’s Chief Health Officer and Assistant Police Commissioner to talk about cycling restrictions. Their main concerns were around people travelling too far from home when cycling.
When Bicycle Queensland was first contacted about cycling restrictions, a radius of 5km was suggested. Rebecca successfully lobbied for no distance restrictions when cycling from home during COVID-19. The result of Rebecca’s lobbying enables thousands of Queenslander’s to continue cycling as a form of commuting or exercise.
