Tag: active transport

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Advocacy

BQ Advocacy Update July 18, 2025

The past few months have been a hive of activity in the BQ office. The big news earlier this year was that the Queensland Government were holding a Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility. BQ has made their submission, and will be presenting to the inquiry on July 21.

We’ve also wrapped up our Y2W (Yarraman to Wulkuraka) 3-day rail trail event. This was held on the popular Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and it presented a great opportunity to speak to members and riders about important advocacy work in their areas. That included speaking to riers who have been volunteering their time for the Story Bridge Bike Bus, as we await further information from Brisbane City Council as to when and how the bridge will serve as an essential transport link for all users.

All that and more, via this update from Andrew.

If you want to know more about what BQ is up to and where, please contact us on BQinfo@BQ.org.au – or call the office on 07 3844 1144 between 8:30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

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Advocacy Press releases

Bicycle Queensland calls for bold, co-ordinated action on e-mobility

Bicycle Queensland active transport network

Bicycle Queensland (BQ) has made a strong case to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility, urging the State Government to embrace the opportunities of e-mobility while putting in place the essential infrastructure, regulation and education to ensure safety and equity for all road users.

Describing the e-mobility revolution as a positive and permanent shift, BQ emphasised the potential for e-bikes and e-scooters to deliver cleaner, healthier, and more accessible transport options — if managed with clear policy, proper planning and strong enforcement.

BQ’s submission calls on the Government to take decisive action in three priority areas:

  1. Build long-promised infrastructure such as separated bike lanes and safe paths to keep riders away from vehicles and pedestrians.
  2. Enforce existing laws which are allowing throttle e-bikes to be sold, despite them being illegal to use in Queensland.
  3. Coordinate nationally to avoid a fragmented patchwork of rules across state borders.

“We encourage the Government to facilitate the growing interest in e-mobility through a properly funded active transport network” said BQ Interim CEO Liana Heath. “To improve safety concerns for riders and the public, we need to ensure current laws and rules are enforced, rather than introducing further complexity and obstacles to safe riding,” said Heath.

The BQ submission sets out four recommendations exactly how that can be done.  BQ welcomes the inquiry and looks forward to contributing to more safe, active transport for everyone.

1. Fund and prioritise active transport

  • Reinstate mode share targets in transport planning
  • Lift active transport funding from under 1% to 10% annually by 2032
  • Reduce local road speed limits from 50km/h to 40km/h
  • Complete the Principal Cycle Network Plan by 2032
  • Develop Ride Safely to School strategies including bike lanes and bike tracks to new schools
  • Enforce a zero-tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour towards riders and e-scooter users

2. Ensure only safe, compliant devices are imported and sold

  • Enforce Australian safety standards
  • Restrict import and sale of non-compliant e-bikes and scooters
  • Govern or remove speed/throttle functions on illegal devices already sold

3. Launch a statewide public education campaign

  • Educate the public on what devices are legal and where they can be used
  • Promote rider training and safety awareness

4. Collaborate nationally on battery and safety standards

  • Implement national battery safety and charging standards
  • Coordinate legislation across states for clarity and consistency nationally

BQ welcomes the Parliamentary Inquiry and looks forward to working with the State to ensure safe and active transport for all Queenslanders.

You can read Bicycle Queensland’s complete submission here.

For more information or media enquiries:
Liana Heath

l.heath@bq.org.au

www.bq.org.au

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Advocacy

BQ Advocacy Update 23 May

From 19 May, 2025, Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Anderw Demack toured through Far North Queensland. They visited BQ members and local councils in Cairns, Atherton, Innisfail and Townsville.

These visits offer a chance to discuss local issues with members and other riders, and to work with local councils to achieve positive outcomes. More details are in the video.

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Advocacy

Construction starts on more of the Moreton Bay Cycleway

In a reminder that bicycle advocacy is about persistence over time, Bicycle Queensland congratulates Brisbane City Council on the announcement that construction on the 600m shared path from Schneider Road to Viola Place starts this month. It is a tiny but vital link that completes a safe cycling route to (most of) the Brisbane Airport precinct.

On hearing the good news we checked in with our friends at Airport BUG, who BQ have worked with on this issue for close to a decade.

“Airport BUG are very pleased that construction on the Viola Place to Schneider Rd bikeway starting this month. The bikeway will connect the long awaited section of the Moreton Bay Cycleway from the Gateway Bridge bikeway to the Kedron Brook Bikeway” Mitch Bright from Airport BUG said. 

“Airport workers will be able for the first time to connect to Lamington Avenue and through to Lores Bonney Riverwalk via Nudgee Rd. 

“The next steps are to complete the active transport infrastructure on Lamington Avenue and to make Nudgee Rd safer for cycling by removing car parking from the bike lanes there.”

“This is a great link from the Gateway Bridge to Kedron Brook, completing a missing link,” said BQ’s Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack. “However, more sections need to be completed in the future to make the best use of the current investment infrastructure.”

The focus now shifts to Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to complete a safe cycling route to the Domestic Terminal. BQ and Airport BUG have been part of the consultation process, but we will be contacting BAC to encourage them to complete this long-awaited project.

Completing missing links is the best value for money action that BCC can take to improve safe bike riding right across Brisbane. In 2023 we collaborated with the metro area BUGs on a document for BCC prioritising which links would have the greatest impact and should therefore be top priority. That document is still highly relevant.

BQ looks forward to more priorities from this list being announced in the future.

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Advocacy

Responses to Bicycle Queensland’s Federal Election campaign

Bicycle Queensland and our national advocacy partners will continue to press the incoming Federal Government to invest in active transport infrastructure.

In the lead-up to the Saturday’s Federal Election, Bicycle Queensland wrote to all candidates asking for their commitment to support active transport — walking and cycling — at a national level. Our requests included allocating $250 million per year to active transport infrastructure, restricting the importation of non-compliant high-powered e-bikes, removing the 5% tariff on compliant electric bikes, and working with State and local governments to deliver safe school cycling infrastructure.


Neither Labor or the LNP, the parties most likely to form a majority government, have policies that commit to implementing our plans for active transport infrastructure. We did not receive a negative response, more a commitment to investigate further once a Government is formed.

Andrew Demack, BQ’s Director of Advocacy said “ this at least is promising. The federal government has left funding for active transport to the states for far too long . Now is the time for them to act.”

Independents and minor parties across the political spectrum did offer support. The Australian Greens noted that funding cycling infrastructure would be part of their pledge of a $40 billion Sustainable Cities Fund. Personal responses received from candidates for various minor parties including Trumpet of Patriots and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation expressed support for better cycling infrastructure. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine said “It seems that almost all parties see the need for better active transport, but actually making the required funding  available for cycling is where the rubber hits the road (or better still, separated cycleway)”.

Regardless of the election outcome, Bicycle Queensland is committed to working with elected representatives to ensure that cycling, micromobility and walking are safe, accessible, and a vital part of Australia’s transport future.

Bicycle Queensland membership supports our advocacy to create a safer, more connected Queensland for everyone. Membership starts at just $54 per year.

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Advocacy

What Brisbane can learn from Cambridge and Sydney

In a dynamic discussion held recently with Roxanne De Beaux, CEO of Camcycle, along with several active transport advocacy groups, Bicycle Queensland joined voices across hemispheres to reflect on the progress and persistent challenges of building safer, more inclusive streets for everyone.

The conversation began with a bold comparison: Sydney — once dubbed “the city that hates bikes” — is transforming its reputation. The opening of a new cycleway in Ultimo on the very day of the discussion marked another step forward, with attendees applauding Fiona Campbell’s leadership as Manager of Cycling Strategy for City of Sydney.

Cambridge’s experience offers powerful lessons in how storytelling can shape public perception. Rather than speaking only to ‘cyclists,’ Camcycle tells stories that resonate more broadly — with parents, workers, students, and communities. This shift from reactive to proactive advocacy has helped them set a compelling vision, making tough but strategic decisions like scaling back the Reach Ride program in order to better allocate resources. Their growing network of influence — including allies in industry and government — is a testament to the power of alignment and clear priorities.

The discussion also touched on the shared growing pains of expanding cities. From Waterbeach in Cambridge to Bradfield in Sydney, and even Brisbane’s own suburban sprawl, the message was clear: advocacy must begin early in the planning process to ensure walking and cycling infrastructure is not an afterthought. With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on the horizon, many noted this as an “all or nothing” opportunity to embed legacy-defining infrastructure for generations to come.

Another powerful thread was the importance of including the “unusual suspects” — voices often left out of traditional active transport narratives. Culturally and linguistically diverse women in western Sydney were highlighted as powerful advocates for safer walking and cycling, bringing fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ behind active transport.

As the conversation wrapped up, there was a shared moment of reflection. Advocacy can be tough. It takes stamina, resilience, and compassion. But it also comes with the deep reward of seeing streets transformed and lives changed.

“These conversations show us we’re not alone — our challenges are shared, but so are the solutions,” said Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine after the discussion. “What we’ve seen in Cambridge and Sydney proves that change is not only possible, it’s already happening. It’s a reminder to keep pushing forward, because the streets we imagine are within reach.”

For Brisbane and Queensland’s regional centres, the message is clear: the road ahead may have bumps, but it’s one worth riding.

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Advocacy

Bicycle Queensland welcomes B2032 100 Day Review

Bicycle Queensland welcomes today’s announcement of the results of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games 100 Day Review.

The announcement of the 63,000 seat major venue at Victoria Park gives real impetus to the creation of a wide, well-let and signposted walking and cycling link from the Brisbane CBD to this main stadium. This important connection also needs to link to the Valley, and the announcement of a new $650M aquatic centre at the existing Centenary Pool at Spring Hill in close proximity to the main venue reinforces the need for this vital link that includes both venues. 

The current tired, old, narrow and inadequate path that goes behind the Grammar schools towards Victoria Park has needed significant upgrading for some time now, and the Games should see the creation of a world-class active travel corridor through this space and beyond into the Valley, creating a much-needed connection as a lasting legacy.

The 100 Day Review lists 9 critical transport programs to implement, including active travel and accessibility aligned to the Games Master Plan, acknowledging the need for more sustainable transport options and also acknowledging that existing transport infrastructure is insufficient to meet the Games transport requirements.

Given the regional distribution of Games venues across south-east Queensland  and beyond, it is not surprising  there is a heavy emphasis in the report’s critical transport program on public transport improvements. Nevertheless there are three important elements noted for improving active travel:

1. Expand inner-city and venue active travel corridors
2. Illuminate and shade inner city paths
3. Create bike and micromobility venue parking

Encouragingly, the report notes “A program of active travel infrastructure and facility upgrades needs to be co-ordinated, planned and prioritised across Queensland to ensure all venues, transit hubs and live sites can be adequately serviced by active travel needs”. This is great to hear.

BQ believes that the planned inner-city and venue expansion of active transport corridors should be complemented by an investment program across government of improved cross-city corridors that link to these essential new Games corridors, providing the opportunity for the public to ride all the way from home or hotel to venues. The rise of e-mobility supports this with longer journeys being easily undertaken, and the very welcome announcement of bike and micromobility parking at venues will be a key enabler for these trips.

“It is encouraging to hear that the review has listened to feedback,” said Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine “but now the real work begins to plan and active the critical infrastructure to enable a successful Games and legacy”. 

BQ looks forward to working with the Queensland Government on shaping the outcomes of this 100 Day Review to build great infrastructure for a successful 2032 Games and for the future of all Queenslanders.

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Advocacy

Advocacy Update: March 2025

Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack check in for an update. With a new Bicycle User Group being put together on the Sunshine Coast, success with the Active Transport Reference Group in Townsville, and a push for federal government active transport funding as part of the requests ahead of the election – there is a lot going on!