Tag: active transport

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Events

Riders come together for National Ride2Work Day

Bicycle Queensland celebrated National Ride2Work Day today as we welcomed riders, members and community partners to the northern end of Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens for a morning of coffee, conversation and cycling advocacy.

The event provided an opportunity for people riding into the city to stop, enjoy a free coffee at Mulga Bills cafe, and connect with Bicycle Queensland (BQ) and organisations working to make riding safer and more accessible across Brisbane and Queensland.

With National Ride2Work Day highlighting the many benefits of riding for transport, the morning was also an opportunity for BQ to share updates on its current advocacy campaigns, upcoming events and projects, while hearing directly from the people who ride Brisbane’s streets and bikeways.

“It was a great event! We had over 120 riders visit, despite the threat of rain. Thanks to all the riders who came along and had a coffee on us. So many smiles. The bike community is awesome,” said BQ CEO Dr Matthew Burke.

BQ was joined by Brisbane City Council, with representatives seeking community feedback on the Shafston Avenue and Sylvan Road projects. Both projects provided valuable talking points about improving Brisbane’s cycling connections and the importance of involving riders in planning better transport infrastructure.

BQ partner CycleLaw was also on hand to answer cycling-related legal questions, while Joe from Project 529 introduced riders to the bike registration and security system designed to help protect bikes and assist with their recovery if stolen.

BQ also used the opportunity to discuss our recent e-mobility survey, as we arm ourselves for the next phase of our campaign to defend legal e-bikes.

“We’ve also had a great response to our survey on the e-mobility laws, which many riders completed at the event today. We have over 700 responses, but are hoping to push past 1,000. Then we’ll really be able to tell government what the Queensland bike community thinks, and what the real-world impacts have been – both good and bad. The government has committed to a twelve-month review. We’ll need that evidence-base to get any changes.”

The event also welcomed the Hon Mark Bailey, who joined riders and representatives for conversations about cycling and active transport.

Bicycle Queensland thanks Brisbane City Council, CycleLaw, Project 529, Mulga Bills cafe and everyone who stopped by to help celebrate National Ride2Work Day.

Whether you ride to work every day, occasionally or are considering making the switch, Bicycle Queensland is working to make every journey by bike safer, easier and more enjoyable.

Find out more about Bicycle Queensland’s advocacy, events and membership via our Membership page.

Categories
Advocacy

Queensland’s new e-bike assurance scheme

The Queensland Government has released the rules for its new Electrically Power-Assisted Cycle (EPAC) Assurance Scheme, which is expected to commence on 2 November 2026. Bicycle Queensland is calling on governments to cover the costs of verification, rather than passing them on to riders.

The new scheme forms part of the Queensland Government’s changes to e-mobility legislation and introduces a process for verifying whether an e-bike complies with the relevant requirements.

The Queensland Government has now published its EPAC Verification Rules, outlining how the scheme will operate and the requirements for businesses and individuals seeking to become authorised verifiers.

What will it cost e-bike owners?

Under the scheme, riders seeking verification of their e-bike can expect the following costs:

  • Free initial pre-screening ($0): A basic inspection checking features such as pedals, obvious battery damage and whether the bike already has an EN15194 compliance plate.
  • Formal assessment ($50): A more detailed assessment or testing to determine whether the e-bike meets the relevant requirements.
  • Compliance label and registration ($20): If the e-bike passes verification, this covers the compliance label and recording the verification details.

The total cost for a successful verification will be $70.

BQ believes this cost should not fall on riders who have purchased and use legal e-bikes.

We will continue to advocate for the Queensland and/or Commonwealth Governments to cover verification fees. The requirement for additional inspections and compliance labels has arisen from government legislative changes, and riders must not be left paying the bill.

Where can you have your e-bike verified?

The Queensland Government is expected to publish a list of Authorised Verifiers when the scheme commences on 2 November 2026.

This will cover the approved individuals and businesses able to carry out assessments and issue compliance labels under the scheme.

Riders will be able to find further information, including the list of verifiers once available, on the Queensland Government’s EPAC Assurance Scheme website.

Information for Queensland bike businesses

Bike retailers, mechanics and other eligible industry participants interested in becoming Authorised Verifiers can contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads at epacassurance@tmr.qld.gov.au.

BQ will continue to fight for riders

Bicycle Queensland has consistently argued for a clear distinction between safe, legal e-bikes s and,high-powered, non-pedal assist devices.

While verification may provide a pathway for establishing compliance, it must not create unnecessary financial or administrative barriers for people who choose to ride safe, legal e-bikes.

BQ will continue to engage with the Queensland Government as the scheme is implemented, advocating for fair treatment of riders, clarity for the bicycle industry and measures that genuinely improve safety.

Further information:

Queensland Government – EPAC Assurance Scheme

Electrically Power-Assisted Cycle (EPAC) Verification Rules

Categories
Advocacy

100 days on from Queensland’s new e-mobility laws

BQ's E-bike rally at Brisbane Botanic Gardens 21-04-2026 to save safe legal e-bikes. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.

Queensland’s new e-mobility laws have now been in place for around 100 days. Throughout the debate over the legislation, Bicycle Queensland stood up for the rights of people who ride.

catch up on our e-mobility campaign


Now we’d like to know how the changes have impacted you.

BQ fought for laws that targeted genuinely dangerous behaviour and illegal devices without creating unnecessary barriers for people riding safe, legal e-bikes. We argued for practical rules that would improve safety while recognising the enormous potential of e-bikes to help Queenslanders ride more often.

Legislation was introduced with a range of new measures around devices and their use.

We want to know, have the changes made you safer? Are the rules clear and easy to understand? Are you riding more or less?

BQ is launching a 100-day review of Queensland’s e-mobility laws, and we need Queenslanders to tell us what has changed.

We want to hear from all riders, whether you use an e-bike or e-scooter or not, to get your feedback on the changes and their impact. For people who don’t use e-mobility, the survey should take around three minutes. For e-bike and e-mobility users, allow up to eight minutes.

complete the e-mobility survey


BQ stood up for Queensland’s cycling community when these laws were proposed, and we’ll continue holding decision-makers accountable to ensure the rules are fair, practical and genuinely make our streets safer.

Your voice helps strengthen our advocacy, and your membership makes it possible. By joining or renewing with Bicycle Queensland, you’re supporting an independent voice that fights for the rights, safety and future of everyone who rides.

Together, we can make Queensland a better place to ride.

join bicycle queensland
Categories
Advocacy

Innisfail gets biggest project in State bikeway grants

Bicycle Queensland welcomes more than $15 million in Queensland Government funding for ten active transport projects across the state.

The 2026-27 Active Transport Grants Program provides $15,038,855 to councils for projects from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast. The program supports infrastructure designed to provide safe, attractive, direct and continuous connections for people walking and riding bikes, including links to schools, hospitals, public transport and other key destinations.

Investment in projects in Greater Brisbane are notably absent, despite the need for completed or new active transport connections across the region.

Eligible projects must contribute to an identified strategic network: a principal route in the Queensland Principal Cycle Network, a route in an endorsed Walking Network Plan, or an approved alternative alignment delivering the same strategic outcome.

For most councils, the Queensland Government provides up to 50 per cent of project funding, with councils expected to match that contribution.

The successful 2026-27 projects

Cairns Regional Council – $3,000,000

The project will add a dedicated connection for people walking and riding in Cairns, by construcing a shared path from Ryan Weare Park at Kamerunga Road to Redlynch Striker United Football Club at Brinsmead Road.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council – $5,916,530

At almost $5.92 million, this is the largest grant in the 2026-27 round and will improve an existing active transport connection, by improving the shared path along McGowan Drive and Fitzgerald Esplanade to Owen Street.

Central Highlands Regional Council – $818,250

Funding will construct a shared path connecting Egerton Street, Max Gorlick Drive, the Capricorn Highway and Opal Street to the Nogoa River, adding to the active transport network in Emerald.

Ipswich City Council – $692,000

This project will construct a shared path on Bremer Street between Bell Street and Ellenborough Street, improving active transport connectivity in central Ipswich.

Logan City Council – $3,000,000

The project will improve provision for walking and bike riding. Funding covers the design and construction for active transport improvements along Armstrong Road between Loganlea Road and Evans Road.

Longreach Regional Council – $27,967

Design and construct a pathway along Galah Street between the Landsborough Highway and the Longreach bus stop, providing an active transport connection to public transport.

Mackay Regional Council – $420,039

Design and construct a shared path along Milton and Henman streets between Pratt Street and Black Street.

Noosa Shire Council – $215,000

Design and construct active transport facilities on Goodchap Road, from near Heritage Drive towards Noosa Hospital, improving active transport provision to a key community destination.

Rockhampton Regional Council – $333,359

Design and construct a shared path along Graham Acton Way between Hall Street and the Rocky Sports Club.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council – $615,710

Design and construct pathways along Palm Drive, Ocean View Avenue and Meta Street between Goonawarra Drive and Douglas Street.

This investment will help make it safer and easier for Queenslanders to walk and ride. Completing missing links and creating connected routes can make bike riding a more practical option for everyday trips as well as recreation.

However, the scale of this investment is small when considered against Queensland’s overall transport infrastructure program.

The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2026-27 to 2029-30 contains $55.9 billion in planned road and transport infrastructure investment over four years.

QTRIP lists investment by mode as $34.3 billion for roads, $19.25 billion for railways, $1.6 billion for bus infrastructure and $312 million for active transport, alongside maritime and multimodal investment. On those QTRIP figures, active transport represents approximately 0.56 per cent of the total four-year investment program.

The Active Transport Grants Program is one component of that broader active transport investment, rather than an additional amount outside the $312 million.

Bicycle Queensland believes the benefits of safe, connected walking and bike riding networks warrant a substantially greater investment. With Queensland’s population growing and Brisbane 2032 approaching, active transport needs to be treated as an integral part of the transport system.

These ten projects are welcome additions to Queensland’s network. The challenge now is to accelerate delivery so that more Queenslanders have safe, connected and practical options to walk and ride.

Categories
Advocacy

BQ’s advocacy priorities for Barrambin precinct

Bicycle Queensland is collaborating with Brisbane-based bicycle user groups (BUGs) on a co-ordinated approach to ensuring best outcomes for the Barrambin/Victoria Park precinct, both in the lead-up the Olympics and then into the future. 

The Brisbane Games construction authority (GIICA) has released a draft precinct plan, which shows plenty of positive aspects for cycling and walking. However, many of the details around path widths, the separation of bikeways from pedestrian and motorised traffic, and bike parking at the stadium itself, is hard to determine. BQ met with all the local BUGs to workshop the issues and what collectively we should be fighting for.  

The North Brisbane Bikeway is now proposed as a separated facility alongside Gregory Terrace and Bowen Bridge Rd, before continuing as it currently does through Bowen Park. BQ and the BUGs are particularly concerned about the width available for a bikeway between Bowen Bridge Rd and the Old Museum, and on the bridge crossing the railway line, along this new alignment.  

The Gregory Terrace route should be helpful considering the disruption that stadium construction and the Olympics will cause to the bikeway’s current location through Yorks Hollow and beside Gilchrist Ave. However, cycling advocates are keen to pursue building both routes, to add resilience into the bikeway network, and to also connect with Herston Rd and Aberleigh Rd towards Enoggera Creek. 

The draft plan makes no clear reference to bike parking at the new stadium. BQ CEO Dr Matt Burke said: “International best-practice design for a modern stadium includes a secure bike parking facility for at least 500 bikes”.  

Paris had bike parking at their main stadiums, so did London. Many of the US World Cup stadiums provided it. It’s an essential part of downtown stadium design in the 21st century.  

Other topline areas that BQ and the BUGs will push for include: 

  • Ensuring that bikeways built through these precincts are separated facilities. 
  • Ensuring a quality active transport connection towards Fortitude Valley along Brunswick St or a parallel corridor. The athlete’s village’s placement at the Ekka grounds means that other railway stations, including Fortitude Valley, will need to carry massive numbers of stadium patrons. 
  • The North Brisbane Bikeway’s long-term alignment should move away from the heritage-listed trees of Bowen Park and be re-aligned along the edge of the Ekka grounds, as part of the Athlete’s Village planning. 

Dr Burke said: “We will be approaching our advocacy to GIICA as a unified cycling community, speaking as one voice with the Brisbane-area bicycle user groups. We’re all here to work constructively to find good solutions.” 

Categories
Advocacy

Sylvan Road bikeway fills missing link

After more than two decades of advocacy, one of Brisbane’s busiest and most important cycling connections is set for a major safety upgrade, with plans confirmed for a continuous, separated bikeway along Sylvan Road in Toowong. 

Brisbane City Council has announced the final concept for the Sylvan Road Bikeway, which will create a continuous bi-directional bikeway separated from both car traffic and pedestrians between the Western Freeway Bikeway and Bicentennial Bikeway. 

The project will address a long-standing missing link in Brisbane’s western cycling network, providing a safer and more direct connection through Toowong for thousands of people travelling towards the CBD and surrounding suburbs. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said the announcement was a significant milestone after decades of calls to improve safety along the corridor. 

“Bicycle Queensland and local bicycle user groups have been advocating for the Sylvan Road bikeway for at least 25 years. It’s one of the most-used bicycle routes into the city,” Dr Burke said. 

“We’re delighted with the proposed designs. There will be much more road safety for everyone in the corridor. Well done to the Council teams involved.” 

The final concept follows community consultation, where safety emerged as a key concern, particularly at intersections and on sections of Sylvan Road where bike riders currently travel close to motor vehicles. 

The proposed design includes physical separation from traffic along the corridor, upgrades to key intersections and improved connections to surrounding neighbourhoods, parks, public transport and local businesses. 

The upgrade will connect the Western Freeway Bikeway directly with the Bicentennial Bikeway, removing one of the most significant gaps on the route between Brisbane’s western suburbs and the CBD. 

“For the first time ever, you’ll be able to ride from the Centenary suburbs through the city centre entirely on safe, protected bicycle infrastructure, with little risk from cars,” Dr Burke said.  

The bikeway design is now being refined using community feedback and technical requirements, with Brisbane City Council expected to release the final concept design and further consultation findings soon. 

The announcement represents an important step towards a better-connected network where protected infrastructure makes riding a realistic transport choice for more Queenslanders. 

After 25 years of advocacy, closing the Sylvan Road gap is finally within sight. 

Categories
Advocacy

National Active Transport Fund opens for new projects

Queensland councils have another opportunity to secure funding for safer bike riding and walking infrastructure, with the Federal Government opening applications for the next round of the National Active Transport Fund.

The program will make $90.2 million available for projects in 2026–27 as part of the Federal Government’s $500 million Active Transport Fund. Following overwhelming demand in the inaugural round, councils across the country are expected to once again compete strongly for funding that delivers safer, more connected communities.

We urge Queensland councils to put forward their shovel-ready projects to this granting scheme. The previous funding round attracted more than $430 million in applications for just $100 million in available funding, highlighting the strong demand for investment in projects that make it easier for people to ride and walk for everyday trips, and the fact that there is a long way to go to provide safe active transport infrastructure around the state and country. Projects such as Sylvan Road bikeway in Toowong, an active transport bridge in Dayboro and numerous walking paths have had funding committed so far.

Projects funded through the program focus on the construction or upgrade of bicycle and walking paths associated with public roads, helping create safer routes for transport, recreation and tourism while reducing congestion and supporting healthier communities.

Bicycle Queensland notes that this is a competitive process, and Councils that don’t bid for the funding will simply miss out.

“Bike riding is good for your waistline, for your wallet and it’s simply good for the world,” said Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack. 

“Councils across Queensland already know this, and here is an opportunity to provide more safe bike riding for the people of your community. It’s a no brainer.”

Bicycle Queensland welcomes the continued investment in active transport and encourages Queensland councils to put forward planned projects that improve connectivity and remove barriers to riding.

More details on the Active Transport Fund are online.

Categories
Events

BQ Bike Park proves fans are ready to ride to the Gabba

Bicycle Queensland’s first free Bike Park at the Gabba has successfully demonstrated that secure bike parking can become part of the game-day experience for Queenslanders, with the inaugural trial proving the concept works for Brisbane sports fans.

The Bike Park, delivered in partnership with Microbility, welcomed riders attending the Brisbane Lions’ home game on Sunday 12 July, providing free, supervised parking just 100 metres from the stadium.

The successful first event is the beginning of a trial that will continue across the remaining Brisbane Lions home games this season, giving more fans the confidence to leave the car at home and ride to the football.

The Bike Park operated smoothly through the afternoon and evening, with riders checking bikes in and out through a simple valet-style process while volunteers monitored the facility for the duration of the match.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said the trial addresses one of the biggest barriers preventing more people riding to major events. Around 20 riders took advantage of the free Bike Park during the soft launch, providing an encouraging start to the trial.

“Griffith University research found only three privately-owned bikes parked round the Gabba at a sold-out AFL game in 2024, despite there being over 30,000 fans in attendance. Yet many of Brisbane’s best bikeways flow nearby. People don’t ride because there is nowhere safe to park and they are afraid their bike will get nicked. Our partnership with Microbility fixes that. It’s exactly the kind of practical initiative that will get more people onto bikes and reduce the State Government’s costs in providing special event buses.”

“With only limited promotion ahead of our first Bike Park, seeing around 20 riders use the free service during the soft launch is a really encouraging result. It shows there are people who want to ride to major events when they know their bike will be safe.”

The trial is also an opportunity to demonstrate how active transport can play a greater role in moving people to and from major venues ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bike valet parking is already common at major sporting events across Europe and North America, with similar services operating successfully during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The demand has always been there – riders just haven’t had a reason to trust that their bike would be safe at a big game or event,” said Microbility Director Derek Mollison. “Bike Park gives them that convenience and trust. The Gabba is the right venue to start, and in partnering with BQ we have the credibility and the community reach to make this work. 2032 is a key vision, but the habits we build now are the legacy.”

Bicycle Queensland hopes the successful first trial is the start of a broader conversation about making secure bike parking a standard feature at major venues across Queensland.

The free BQ Bike Park will return for the remaining Brisbane Lions home games at the Gabba this season:

• Sunday 26 July – Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide
• Friday 7 August – Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn
• Saturday 15 August – Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns (subject to AFL confirmation)

Located beside the Woolloongabba Substation at 45 Logan Road, the Bike Park opens one hour before matches start and remains staffed until one hour after the match.

Bicycle Queensland encourages anyone attending the remaining games to give riding a go and experience just how easy travelling to the Gabba by bike can be.