The Queensland Government has today opened applications for its Active Transport Grants Program, offering up to $15 million for councils to plan and deliver new walking and bike-riding infrastructure in the 2026–27 financial year, via a co-contribution model.
Only $6.5 million was spent under this program last round. We strongly encourage local governments to apply, including those in the regions and Aboriginal Land Councils. Many small councils received funding last year.
The program is designed to support projects that make walking and riding safer and more accessible, including upgrades around schools, hospitals, public transport hubs and other key destinations. It also aligns with government ambitions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where they are hoping to achieve transport legacy.
The announcement merges previous separate walking and cycling funding streams into a single program, which the Government says will reduce red tape and make it easier for councils to apply. Projects are expected to be funded on a 50:50 basis with local governments.
Applications are open from 8 December 2025 to 27 February 2026.
Bicycle Queensland welcomes continued state government co-investment in active transport infrastructure with local government. But we recognise that the scale of funding is nowhere near the share of trips already made by walking and cycling across Queensland’s transport networks.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Prof Burke said: “It’s great to see this Transport and Main Roads program funded again for 2026-27, to help councils deliver important bikeways, shared paths and crossings. It’s a chance of many councils, including some of our smallest regional councils, to plan, design or build new bikeways in their area.”
A small change to the program could make quite a difference. There are so many council bike paths, bike lanes and crossings in Queensland neighbourhoods that need fixing. The poorest local governments in Queensland, those out in the regions, have very little revenue and can struggle to put up the 50% of the funding required for this scheme.
Prof Burke said: “We ask that the LNP Government consider the regions here, by raising the share of state government funding for our smallest councils under this scheme, beyond the 50/50 rate. We’ve already seen the tourism impacts walking and cycling improvements are having in Winton, in Fernvale and Kilkivan. It can transform a town.”
Prof Burke also noted: “Whilst this funding is welcomed, some existing Transport and Main Roads commitments to bikeways are being postponed or cut entirely. We are especially concerned about a bikeway link already funded from Woodridge to Kingston, being built as part of the Faster Rail project down there. It’s just been cut, without public consultation, and we want it reinstated immediately.”
The Queensland Government has repeatedly highlighted the importance of active transport – including reducing emissions, supporting healthier communities, and relieving pressure on the road network as population grows. Bicycle Queensland strongly agrees with these goals, but remains concerned that smaller, project-based funding will not be enough to create region-wide networks that are continuous, separated, and designed for real-world travel patterns.
The real opportunity: connected networks and mode shift
Bicycle Queensland held 25 regional forums across the state in 2025, all the way from Far North Queensland down to Warwick, listening to what cyclists want.
- safer separated bikeways
- safer intersections
- better school and commuting links
- safe places for e-bike and e-scooter use
Yet at current funding levels, Queensland risks only incremental improvements rather than the transformative change required to shift everyday travel behaviour.
Investment at scale would help:
- cut congestion,
- reduce household transport costs,
- support public health,
- reduce emissions, and
- ensure children and families can travel safely by bike or on foot.
