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Press releases

SAVE 25% on new, annual memberships for World Bicycle Day!

To celebrate World Bicycle Day in 2025, Bicycle Queensland are offering a 25% discount on new, annual memberships.

Bicycle Queensland membership supports the state and nation-wide advocacy work that the Bicycle Queensland team undertakes. From advocating for slower speed limits, through to greater mountain bike access, better active transport connections and more – our advocacy work is supported by riders thanks to our membership model.

Use code BIKEDAY25 for a 25% discount on new, annual memberships

As a Bicycle Queensland member, your membership also includes public liability and accident insurance – whether you are riding on the road, on mountain bike trails, on a gravel route or elsewhere. The only exception for riding coverage is bike racing. Bicycle Queensland membership also provides free legal advice in the event of an accident, and income protection.

Given that Bicycle Queensland run a range of events, our members can also save on event entry – this can be around $70 for some events, and even more with some partner events!

But wait, there’s more. Bicycle Queensland members can also take advantage of numerous extensive discounts on bikes, accessories, bike insurance and even holidays! You can read about all the offers available to members on this page.

There are membership options for school students, concession card holders, individuals, households of two, and households of three or more. You can see the outlines for all membership on our Membership Page.

This offer ends on June 8, and won’t be repeated. You can read all terms and conditions here.

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Categories
Advocacy

Advocacy Update: April 2025

Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack check in for an update this April. With a federal election coming up, Alton covers what Bicycle Queensland and We Ride are asking for: federal funding for active transport (walking and riding). They also discuss high powered e-bikes, tariffs and more.

Categories
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.

Categories
Advocacy

Sunshine Coast Bicycle User Group created

The Sunshine Coast has a growing community of bike riders, with social cycling groups popping up across the region. In Bicycle Queensland’s forums with our members last year, it was clear that the Sunshine Coast needed a Bicycle User Group to co-ordinate advocacy efforts, and engage with the Council and the district office of Transport and Main Roads.

BQ members who are also members of the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Touring Club, the Crocs cycling group, the Golden Beach Cycling group, the Maleny Lycra Lizards, Sunny Coast Walkers and Riders and several others gathered at Maroochydore this morning to take the next step in forming the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Users Group.

Our photo shows the enthusiastic and knowledgeable BQ members who gathered with the intention of helping to make the Sunshine Coast the cycling capital of Queensland! 

Want to get on the mailing list for the new BUG? Email webadmin@SCBTC.net with the subject ‘Sunshine Coast Bicycle User Group’.

Categories
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!

Categories
Advocacy

Bicycle Queensland calls for action on high-powered e-bikes

Bicycle Queensland (BQ) has released a new position statement calling for stronger regulation of high-powered e-bikes, which do not comply with Australian standards and pose significant safety risks on shared pathways and roads around Queensland and Australia.

Read all of Bicycle Queensland’s position statements

The rapid rise of these illegal devices—capable of speeds up to 60km/h and beyond purely via throttle—has sparked public concern across the state, with residents and authorities alarmed by their presence in shared-use environments. By law, e-bikes must stick to the EN19154 standard, which mandates a 250W maximum for continuous power, along with pedal assist limited to a maximum of 25km/h, amongst other inclusions. Brush up on Queensland’s e-bike regulations.

BQ CEO Alton Twine emphasised the urgency of addressing this issue:

“Safety must come first. High-powered e-bikes that exceed legal limits create unnecessary risks for both riders and the wider community. We need clear regulations and enforcement to ensure that only safe, compliant devices are on our streets and pathways.”

BQ is calling for restrictions on the import and sale of non-compliant e-bikes, better public education on legal e-bike use, and greater enforcement measures to curb the misuse of high-powered devices which are only legal to be used on private property.

Everything you need to know about e-bikes

At the same time, BQ remains a strong advocate for legal pedal-assist e-bikes, which meet the Australian standard and offer a sustainable transport alternative. Advocacy Director Andrew Demack highlighted their benefits:

Pedal-assist e-bikes are an incredible transport solution. They help more people ride further, reduce congestion, and improve public health. We must ensure that the future of e-mobility is built on safe and legal technology. The rapid uptake by Queenslanders of the e-bike and e-scooter rebates in late 2024 show just how popular legal e-bikes and e-scooters are.”

Bicycle Queensland will continue working with government, industry, and community stakeholders to push for reforms that promote safe and sustainable transport choices.

You can read our complete position statement here.

You can read BQ’s open letter here.

You can sign BQ’s open letter here.