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Advocacy Press releases

COVID-19 Guidelines regarding cycling from home

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.

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Advocacy Press releases

Riding a bike is 39 times better than going to the gym, Queenslanders say

78% of Queenslanders who have taken up bike riding for exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic prefer bike riding over going back to the gym.

This is one of the findings in a survey commissioned by Bicycle Queensland, which had more than 3000 responses from new and existing bike riders over the past two weeks.

Bike riding and sales of bicycles have boomed during the home confinement phase of COVID-19 restrictions, as Queenslanders seized the opportunity to get out of the house once a day for exercise. Families with children being home-schooled also were grateful for the chance to be outside, often riding together for the first time.

Bike retailers such as 99 Bikes, and online retailer Pushys, reported item as diverse as indoor trainers and child seats were sold out, and re-stocking is proving to be a challenge.

But overall, bike sales were reported by retailers to be up between 50% and 500%, depending on the category.

Automated counters on Brisbane City Council’s bikeway network have reported a massive increase in the number of bike riders. On Kedron Brook bikeway, numbers are up about 300%. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said: “This is an opportunity for all levels of Government to be bold, and to work together.”

“The numbers are irrefutable – Queenslanders want to be active, whether it’s about getting to work or getting some exercise.”

“We need to provide safe spaces for people to ride, and the time to act is now.”

John Reghenzani, who lives at Paddington and works at Newstead, is one such commuter, who is returning to office work after home confinement.

“I’ve determined for myself that riding to work is the way to go. I’m killing two birds with one stone … getting exercise to combat my sedentary lifestyle while getting to work more quickly than if I took the bus.

“I’m not a morning person, so riding to work clears out the cobwebs in the morning, and on the way home it helps to get rid of the workplace angst,” John said.

Respondents to Bicycle Queensland’s survey said they started riding bikes during the pandemic because they couldn’t go to the gym (36%), or because cycling is exercise that is gentler on the body than running or walking (36%), or because cycling is exercise they can do with a partner or the whole family (32%). They didn’t ride before the pandemic because of lack of time (40%) or concerns about personal safety (32%).

Most of these new riders are riding on bike paths (76%) or in bike lanes on roads. They are buying road bikes or hybrid/commuter bikes. About 50% of them spent more than $1000 on their new bike, and also dropped another $150-200 on accessories.

They are finding their fitness is improving (68%), and they are discovering their neighbourhood (32%). Best of all, cycling brings joy into their life (65%)!

And a vast majority believe that bike riding will continue to be a regular activity in their life, even once the pandemic is over (81%). Only 2% would prefer to go back to the gym!

These new riders would like to see better cycling facilities, closer to their homes (57%), better end of trip facilities at work (44%), and education course such as bike maintenance, bike skills and route planning.

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Press releases

The decision to cancel BIKE with Brisbane – Active commute day

To our Bicycle Queensland community.

Whilst it is Bicycle Queensland’s mission to inspire and sustain the ever-expanding community of active commuters of all ages and all abilities; the health and well-being of our community must always remain at the forefront of our practices.

After extensive consultation, and in line with the recommendations of Queensland Health, Bicycle Queensland has made the decision to cancel BIKE with Brisbane – Active commute day, which was set to be held this Wednesday 18th March 2020.

This decision has been made to avoid bringing crowds together with the goal of minimising the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the inevitable strain on our healthcare system.

We understand the inconvenience this decision may cause for people who have already made plans around this event; however, our objective is to ensure we work alongside authorities to protect community health and safety.

We continue to be inspired by your commitment to a healthy, active and safe lifestyle and thank you for your support of our work to advocate, educate and provide engaging opportunities in the active commute space throughout Queensland.