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Advocacy Partner News Press releases

The new BQ CEO is Alton Twine

The Board of Bicycle Queensland is pleased to advise members and key stakeholders that the new Chief Executive Officer of the organisation is Alton Twine.

Mr Twine is a highly experienced former public servant with a long record of passionate and effective advocacy for cycling and sustainable transport.  

Most recently he was Director of Lifestyle and Community and for 8 years previously, Director of Transport and Infrastructure at Gold Coast City Council. He has also led cycling infrastructure and active transport planning and activation at Brisbane City Council as well as with the Queensland Government, where he managed the Active Transport team and had a critical role in TravelSmart, the world’s largest active transport program.

Alton was a member of the Australian Bicycle Council for many years and has had substantial input into strategy, planning and implementation of cycling facilities and behaviour change programs at all levels of government, successfully proposing and delivering significantly- increased capital works programs delivering more bikeways, facilities and active travel programs. In 2009 he was awarded Cycling Professional of the Year by the Cycling Promotion Fund.

He first joined Bicycle Queensland as a member in 2003.  He grew up in Townsville where he started his cycling career on a bright green Malvern Star, and, with still too many bikes in the shed, has recently bought his first E-bike.

Alton’s vision for BQ is to position the organisation at the forefront of advocacy for cycling, particularly as we head into a year of elections at the local and state government level. Alton also wants to improve the offering for members across the State, reinvigorating membership, insurance and events, as well has having meaningful input on behalf of members into proposals and projects that benefit cyclists. He is already planning improvements to the website, social media and participation opportunities for members.

Chair of the Board Rachel Nolan said she was very pleased to have secured Mr Twine’s services and was optimistic about the future of the organisation and of the important cause of sustainable transport.

Last year, the Board promised members we would undertake a thoughtful and thorough search for a new CEO and over the final months of 2023, we did that.  The position was advertised widely and we received 49 applications.

“Alton was the stand out candidate.  He is a capable and committed person who is very well known in cycling and sustainable cities circles for making a difference to the urban form.  He “gets it” about BQ and has the skills to deliver on providing services to members and making an impact that matters.

 “The time is right for the cycling revolution.  We live in a carbon constrained world, the cost of living is high and people are literally dying for want of opportunity to move their bodies.  Cycling and active transport are the solution to all of these things – but we need to make it easy for people to ride and get governments thinking about cities beyond cars.

“Bicycle Queensland is ambitious in its vision.  We intend to make change.

Ms Nolan said BQ had undergone significant reform in recent times, changing the legal structure, renewing the board and governance, returning to surplus after 5 years and now undertaking a highly competitive recruitment for a new CEO.

She especially thanked outgoing CEO Lisa Davies Jones, the longest standing BQ Director who stepped into the role in May and led the organisation with professionalism and grace. 

“We have been ably led by Lisa, who we will nominate for life membership at next AGM.”

Ms Davies Jones said it had been a privilege to step into the Interim CEO role through such an important time of transition for Bicycle Queensland.

“I wish the Board and Alton every success in delivering on the Board’s inspiring and important vision,” Ms Davies Jones said.

The new CEO will commence in the role on February 12.

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Advocacy Partner News

BQ says thanks to outgoing Minister Bailey

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, has stepped aside from the ministry, as a new Premier and a new Cabinet will be named this week (14 December 2023).

Bicycle Queensland takes this opportunity to thank the outgoing Minister for being the cycling champion we needed.

Minister Bailey (centre) and BQ’s 2023 end of year event, with Tracey Price (left) and BQ chair Rachel Nolan (right).

While we believe there is still a long way to go in building both the infrastructure and the social environment that will transform Queensland towards a healthier, zero emissions transport future, Mark Bailey has done more towards this than any recent Transport Minister.

And from Bicycle Queensland’s perspective, we always knew we had a person in the top job who regularly faced the cycling conditions that we all face, who used his bicycle for transport, and for fitness, and for recreation.

It was a truism of Mark Bailey’s time as Transport Minister that any time there was a new bikeway or bike bridge funded by TMR, that he would be there to open it, and be the first to ride it.

Under his leadership, Transport and Main Roads has spent more than previously on building the Principal Cycle Network, but has also made great use of including provision for bikes and walking into larger projects such as motorways and railway upgrades.

Bailey has also led the way in encouraging partnership between State Government and local government, and particularly urged the large SEQ councils to step up in provision of active transport facilities.

Queensland has had some excellent Transport Ministers in the past … Bicycle Queensland’s chair Rachel Nolan was another who made great strides towards changing the way we move.

One of Mark Bailey’s real achievement in this space is that expectations of the Transport Minister have now been reset. The new person who takes on this role has big shoes to fill.

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Advocacy Partner News

Cover your devices with RACQ Everyday Lite

We are excited to announce we’ve partnered with RACQ to provide roadside assistance solutions to people using e-scooters, e-bikes, bicycles, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and other eligible devices. Bicycle Queensland members can now access an exclusive discount on the RACQ Everyday Lite product.

Rebecca Randazzo, Bicycle Queensland CEO, says, “We are excited to partner with RACQ. This new offering will enable more people to safely access micro-mobility options.”

RACQ Everyday Lite is roadside assistance for those who use bikes, scooters, and other eligible devices. Benefits include:

  • Cover your e-scooters, e-bikes, bicycles, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and other eligible devices
  • Get up to 4 call outs per year
  • RACQ will arrange alternative transport per call-out
  • RACQ will tow your eligible device 10km in any direction if taxi, rideshare, or maxi taxi options aren’t applicable

Bicycle Queensland members can access the discount on the new Everyday Lite product by logging into the member portal and following the prompts.

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Education Partner News

White Cloud Foundation Partnership

Bicycle Queensland would like to announce an exciting new partnership with White Cloud Foundation. White Cloud is a charity organisation that provides free tele-mental health services to Queenslanders struggling with anxiety and depression. White Cloud also provide an incredible meals for mums service which support women at risk of or experiencing perinatal depression.

This partnership enables Bicycle Queensland members to access support without a diagnosis, no referral, and at no cost. White Cloud’s services include mental health nursing and counselling, psychology, social work, dietitians, and exercise physiology.

White Cloud was created to remove the barriers to accessing mental health treatment, identifying that getting access to early support when you have the speed wobbles is incredibly important.

BQ CEO Rebecca Randazzo said, “We know that some of the reasons why we ride a bike is for that social connection and wellbeing and we are really excited to partner with White Cloud and bring about great outcomes for our members”.

If you need support, you can access White Clouds service by calling 07 3155 3456

Find out more about White Cloud

Adam Scott Chair of WCF with BQ CEO Rebecca Randazzo
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Advocacy Bikeway detours and closures Partner News Uncategorised

UQ Lakes Station Works

Major construction has commenced at UQ Lakes station in St Lucia. Bike riders will see changed conditions through the area as construction takes place. The Eleanor Schonell Bridge bikeway will be temporarily closed, but alternatives routes to navigate the affected area can be found below.

You can find more details of the construction notice here.

To find out more details check out the Councils website here.