Somerset Regional Council along with Experience Somerset, have just installed a new bike node along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Fernvale. Fernvale is a popular stop on the route, and for many riders an ideal turnaround point after a ride from Ipswich, or even a launching point if they have driven out to ride the trail.

The bike node is a free self-service station for bike riders. It has bike repair tools, a tyre pump, water refill station, E-bike battery charging power points and a bike rack. The bike node was installed at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre on 16 October 2024 and is already receiving positive feedback from the community and visitors to the Somerset region.

Gavin Rook of Auckland, New Zealand and his brother Craig, were among the first to use the bike node, during a three-day ride of Australia’s longest recreational rail trail.

“It’s been fantastic. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is nicely maintained, has good signage and nice bridge crossings. It’s been a really smooth ride,” Mr Rook said.

The bike node is available 24/7 and is located at the northern end of the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the bike node is a welcome addition to Fernvale.

“Cycling is a fantastic way to explore our beautiful region, and this bike node enhances the experience for locals and visitors alike,” Cr Wendt said. “It’s an investment by council that makes a big difference in promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable tourism. By providing these services for cyclists, we’re not just supporting outdoor recreation; we’re also strengthening our community’s commitment to eco-friendly transport and tourism initiatives.”

“We’re proud to see positive feedback already rolling in from users like Gavin and Craig. Their experience highlights the importance of accessibility and convenience for those who choose to ride our trails.”

Bicycle Queensland welcomes this addition, but we recommend all users of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail carry their ride essentials – just as they would on any ride.

Bike ways along the Brisbane River between Toowong and New Farm are an essential part of the transport network in Queensland’s capital city. The routes are flat, easy to ride and have had significant upgrades in previous years, with more to come from existing and planned projects.

With construction of another phase of the updated Queen’s Wharf area nearing completion, Queensland’s bike and e-scooter riders have been able to ride the updated amenities along this stretch to Gardens Point.

Coming from Milton, the new area opens up right as the segregated bikeway and walkway end at the ferry stop. A larger shared space expands, with an end of trip facility and café on your left, with access via stairs or a lift to Queen’s Wharf Road. Alternatively, you can keep riding in the shared use area and turn left to ride up Queen’s Wharf Road, which doesn’t have private vehicle access. From here the shared use space goes to a separated bikeway and walkway until just before the Goodwill Bridge.

Bicycle Queensland caught up with Graham Witherspoon from the Destination Brisbane Consortium, on the afternoon before the updated section of the Bicentennial Bikeway opened.

‘It has been years of work and planning, but we have the final stage of the Bicentennial Bikeway open. There is a lot of segregation between pedestrians and cyclists along the kilometre of riverfront. What we have tried to do is make it a place where people are comfortable being.’

This has involved creating very long sight lines, and also extensive plantings and even artworks. The impact resonates, as it is a much friendlier place to be than before, which changes the dynamic from a dark corridor to a shared space for bikes, e-scooters, pedestrians.

‘As you can see there are families and commuters coming through here quite comfortably. We’ve created about 6000sqm of new green public space.’

Some elements still need to be finalised, including the community spaces along the waterfront, and finding a business to setup in the end of trip facilities with a café that sits right on the shared use area. Suggested speed limits may still change as well, once the final construction of the community spaces are finished.

‘By November we will open the Finger Wharves and the terraced seating along the river front, so the whole area should be complete by then.’

Rolling through

During our walk through, we did wonder if the painted bike and pedestrian sections could be extended further through the shared space for additional awareness, especially in peak times.

As of today, signs are still posted suggesting 10km/h, as construction is still ongoing right at the edge of the river. But in the separated bikeway signage suggest 20km/h. Given the sightlines are very good, we expect the area to suit 20km/h, but the shared space will need common sense from users, just as any shared space does.

Our take

Some people have called for a continual bikeway through the public space, however doing so would cut off access to the public space along the river front or remove the permeability of the bikeway at this area. There is very limited room along the waterfront, and Bicycle Queensland welcomes the addition of public space in the area. We do feel that a few amendments to signage may be warranted in the initial period as pedestrians and riders get used to how the space works and where people flow to and from.

‘The Queen’s Wharf upgrade to the Bicentennial Bikeway has delivered an outstanding addition of public space on the Brisbane River,’ said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. ‘The inclusion of bike parking, rideable access and end of trip facilities means that this is not just a commuting route for avid riders, but a place people can choose to visit easily by bike, e-scooter, on foot or via a ferry trip.’

On a drizzly afternoon, commuters we spoke to were happy with the upgrades, although some suggested a bit more signage may be of use. Bicycle Queensland will be interested to see the public response as the area continues to be finalised. If you have feedback, do be in touch via bqinfo@bq.org.au.