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Events

Annual General Meeting Results

The Bicycle Queensland (BQ) board and members gathered online on September 22 for the Annual General meeting. The Annual report can be accessed here.

BQ welcomes Richard Buning to the board. Richard has a love for all things cycling. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise both as a bike rider and academic expert in active lifestyle. In his role as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland Business school, his research interests reside at the intersection of physical activity, travel, and events. Outside of work, Richard can be found pursuing his passions of mountain biking, running, rock climbing, and hiking. 

The board thanks departing directors, Rob van Manen, Audine Bartlett, and Craig Davis for their years of service to BQ. The board wishes to acknowledge the leadership, care, and commitment of Rob van Manen who has served as a management committee member, President, and Chair of BQ over the past four and half years.

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Events

B2GC Postponed

Due to the high circulation of COVID-19 and the flu in the community, as well as the significant rain fall in SEQ over May, June and July, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Downer Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge (B2GC) this year.  

These ongoing challenges are making it extremely difficult for us to deliver the event to the safety standards we set and are affecting a number of our wonderful volunteers and event contractors.   

B2GC will now be held on Sunday 23 October 2022. 

We know so many of you are looking forward to participating in our event next Sunday, and our priority now is to work with our sponsors, stakeholders and relevant authorities to make B2GC as enjoyable as possible for our community.  

To find out information about the new date and revised participation options please visit the website here. All registered participants should receive an email today with further information regarding updated event information.  

If you have any further queries, please email events@bq.org.au.  

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Queensland’s most cherished and iconic riding event in October.

Until then, safe and happy riding.  

All relevant information can be found here.

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Advice Education Events Press releases

CEO Update

Dear members

As we move through the spring weather, I wanted to update you all on the work we have been doing to shape our riding agenda and the next phase of our work.

As Queensland’s point of connection for the future of riding, we have been working hard to reach out into regional areas, ensuring all riders, irrespective of where they live, have access to our member benefits and are represented in our advocacy voice. Since my last update, we have welcomed over 300 new members and congratulate Rob van Manen on his appointment as President. Rachel Nolan to Vice president, and Peter Thompson to Secretary at the recent Annual General Meeting. As we come out of a difficult two-year period, I wish to thank members for their ongoing support to Bicycle Queensland (BQ).

BQ continues to flex our advocacy muscle and now represent members on over 20 panels and steering groups across the state. BQ has been recently appointed a member of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee. The first meeting was held in Esk and outlined the forward plan of capital works from TMR and the four Councils which the trail runs through; Ipswich, Somerset, Toowoomba and South Burnett. The Steering Committee will give guidance and feedback as the authorities implement the BVRT Strategic Plan. Our top priority in physical terms for the BVRT is a program of tree planting in the exposed sections between Esk and Moore. The trail becomes an unpleasantly hot place to be in summer, and we want to promote its use all year round!

In addition, BQ has a seat at the table at the Sunshine Coast Active Travel Advisory Committee, with the first meeting held in Caloundra. We support the ATAC model, which has been beneficial in Brisbane, with strong support from key political decision-makers, including the Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey. Minister Bailey was present at this initial meeting of the Sunshine Coast committee, which was very helpful.

A stern test of the committee’s mettle will be discussions on a proposed Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade. BQ members at Caloundra have asked for our help in opposing this project in its current form, which puts a four-lane road through a green zone. We will report back on how this goes, but BQ, Qld Walks, and the local active transport advocates from Caloundra have requested an on-site meeting to see if there are alternatives to removing mature shade trees for this project.

Sunday, 17th October saw the community take to the streets for our 16th Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge. A big thank you to Downer group, our principal partner, who, without their support, the day would not be possible. We welcomed over 4,300 riders across a new course with 40km, 60km and 100km challenges offered. It was wonderful to connect with members, volunteers, and partners on what was a beautiful day to ride your bike. I’m proud to announce that our riders have raised over $100,000 for our event charity partner, Stronger For Longer.

Our education services continue to gain momentum and importantly sow the seeds for our ten-year strategy. These services have included the creation of content for new and experienced riders via blog posts, video series and online learning modules. Our impact in schools is growing with curriculum-aligned programs being delivered in pre-schools and primary schools across southeast Queensland. I am excited to announce the work we are undertaking with CARRS-Q to develop an Audio Visual (AV) curriculum which, when completed, provides a connection to secondary schools and workplaces.

I’m very proud of the work we have progressed in the Women’s advocacy space and the considerations we are taking to understand how we can support more women to ride for their health and wellbeing. Our HerRIDE campaigns are proving very popular and encourage members to save the date on 27th November for our HERride MTB day at Gap creek.

Until next time, happy and safe riding.

Rebecca Randazzo

Categories
Events

BQ x Cuore Limited Edition Jersey

We are proud to announce our newest partnership with CUORE of Switzerland!

Cuore is Italian for Heart, and our heart is on the roads, trails and race tracks that our two wheels take us. Founded in 1989, CUORE has forged its place as the leading company for custom cycling apparel.

We are excited to reveal our first BQ x CUORE Jersey design ever – just in time for next month’s event, Pedal QLD! If you pre-order between the 29th June – 7th July, you’ll get your jersey just in time to wear during the Pedal QLD challenge.

Head to the link HERE and enter BQ-2020 to get early access! While you’re there you can check out the matching socks, bibs and arm sleeves as well 🙌

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Events Uncategorised

2020 Events – Update

On Friday 8 May, the State Government released QLD’s Roadmap to Easing COVID-19 restrictions. The roadmap outlined a staged approach to giving Queenslanders more freedom to travel, participate in more activities and hold more gatherings. While we welcome this plan and are focused on doing our part to get to Stage 3 as fast as possible, there is still a lot of uncertainty around mass participation events, gatherings of greater than 100 and any future easing of restrictions.

We have therefore made the decision to cancel our planned mass participation rides for the rest of 2020. This includes the Yarraman to Wulkuraka Rail Trail Adventure, Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge and the Big Beach Ride.   

It has not been an easy decision and we know there will be a lot of disappointed cyclists out there, none more than us, but the health and wellbeing of every Australian must come first.   

It is not all bad news though as we have been working hard to find ways to reach all Queensland cyclists over the past few months.  We have an exciting new online challenge launching soon called Pedal Queensland – Ride for Rewards! We’re partnering with some amazing like-minded organisations to bring you great discounts, awesome prizes and educational content that will make you wonder how you lived without it. 

We’ve also partnered with Orange Sky Laundry for the event, helping them continue the amazing work they do across Queensland supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Keep an eye out for Pedal Queensland – Ride for Rewards – coming to your local roads & trails in August. 

We’ve also been busy working with key partners to redesign some great BQ initiatives and help everyone out on their bike as soon as we can.  We’ll have our bike maintenance workshops up and running again soon for BQ members, we’ll be out in the parks and around shared paths with eBike test rides, you’ll see us in pop-ups across the South East with an education focus and helping break down some of the barriers to getting more women cycling. 

And regional Queensland, we are working on plans to get to you in 2021 with some great new initiatives, activations and events.

As for our mass rides – we are changing things up a little in 2021 also with new dates, new events and a promise that there will be something for everyone at every event Bicycle Queensland offers.

A few positives to take from all this is the new found love of cycling and physical activity outdoors by thousands of Queenslanders. We want to give them a reason to keep cycling for years to come and encourage more people to experience the natural highs from conquering a challenge on two wheels. We can’t wait to see you all back out at a BQ event in 2021 but hope to see many of you out and about every day on your bike.

Keep an eye out for Pedal Queensland soon if you love riding, great rewards, awesome prizes and the power of knowledge.

Watch our events update video below:

Categories
Events

Save money, get fit, save the planet … get active!

– Update –

We are sad to announce that we have made the decision to cancel BIKE with Brisbane – Active commute day, which was set to be held on Wednesday 18th March 2020.

– Original Story –

Getting active on your commute to work can save you money while saving your health and saving the planet.

That’s message behind Bike With Brisbane, an active commute day being held by Bicycle Queensland on Wednesday 18 March 2020.

A free breakfast for Active Commuters will be held from 7 am on 18 March at the Law Courts Plaza, 415 George Street, Brisbane — conveniently located at the junction of two major bike routes into the CBD.

Whether you are a regular bike commuter, or whether you actively commute by e-biking or walking or running or skating or scooting, you are invited to participate in Bike With Brisbane.

The celebration of active living at the Law Courts Plaza will include breakfast, entertainment, exhibition stalls, competitions and prizes. Breakfast starts at 7 am, and the event finishes at 8.30 am.

“Brisbane is a great place to live, and it’s even better when you start your day by being active,” Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said.

“We look forward to meeting many new active commuters for breakfast and coffee on 18th March,” Rebecca said.

If you are new to active commuting, you can join a free guided ride into the CBD from any one of five locations (Toowong, Fortitude Valley, Dutton Park, Greenslopes or Albion). Experienced local cyclists will lead the groups from each location, and will give tips on the best routes to the City from their area. Register for the guided commute.

Categories
Events

2020 Event Dates

Pop these into your diary now!

Bike with Brisbane – Active Commuter Day – Wednesday 18 March
This newly branded event will be Brisbane’s biggest celebration of active travel – culminating with a free breakfast in the CBD. We’ll be encouraging people of all ages and abilities to find an active commute that’s right for them and this event will showcase the diversity of the active commute community. Bike with Brisbane will launch a series of commuter activations we’ll be hosting across SE Queensland as well as regionally later in the year. Stay tuned!

Tour de Brisbane – Sunday 5 April
We’re excited to announce our partnership with this year’s Tour de Brisbane. To celebrate, the Tour de Brisbane has put entries on sale for Bicycle Queensland members for a limited time only. BQ members can enter the 30km or 60km recreational rides on Sunday 5 April using an exclusive discount code. Access your code by logging in to your BQ member portal here and you could save up to $58. Just make sure you use it by 5 March 2020. Can’t access your portal? Give us a call to get the exclusive discount code today. 
*Offer valid for entries between 13 February and 5 March only.

Yarraman to Wulkuraka – Rail Trail Adventure – Friday 26 – Sunday 28 June
Date Change: We’ve pushed our end-to-end rail trail adventure back one week to now run from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June. We are also developing a 40km overnight family experience for those anyone wanting a taste of the rail trail, rural life and a great start to the school holidays. Keep an eye out for more details soon as we get ready to open entries in early March.

Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge – Sunday 13 September
Will you be joining us for the 16th annual B2GC? Starting from the Eleanor Schonell Bridge (Green Bridge) for the second time this September, we want you to be part of this iconic 100km cycle challenge. Whether you’ve done 1, 10 or 15 – we want you to join us for another magical Spring morning on Sunday 13 September. 

Big Beach Ride – Sunday 11 October
The second annual Big Beach Ride is shaping up to be bigger and better than the inaugural event with a heap more treats, activities, prizes and amazing views for all ride categories. Get a group together and make a weekend out of it on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Great Brisbane Bike Ride – 2020 Ride Cancelled 
As hinted in our December eNews, we can now confirm the Great Brisbane Bike Ride will be on hiatus in 2020.  While we are as determined as ever to continue producing quality, safe and enjoyable events for BQ members and the wider cycling community to enjoy, we’ve had to pay attention to the market and the demand for mass participation rides. We are working on ways to cap the ever increasing costs of running events and look forward to bringing you some amazing events later in the year. We know GBBR missing from the calendar will be as disappointing for you, as for us here at BQ, however we look forward to sharing our amazing future events soon.