Get ready to mark your calendars! The Ipswich 100 is returning on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and we’re excited to invite you to take part in this thrilling fundraising event. The Ipswich 100 is one of Queensland’s premier cycling challenges, offering participants a chance to experience the region’s scenic roads, picturesque countryside, and vibrant community atmosphere. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking to test your endurance or a casual rider seeking a fun day out, the Ipswich 100 has something for everyone.
The event is an important fundraiser run by Lions Brisbane West and Ipswich Hospital Foundation, and it was originally created by Lions Brisbane West. 2025 will be their 26th event, with three distances where riders can challenge themselves and each other.
Ipswich 100 event details
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025
Routes: Choose from multiple route options, ranging from the challenging 100 km course to the shorter 50km distance – or even the Imperial 100 mile route
Location: Start and finish in Ipswich, with beautiful views and exciting challenges along the way.
Why Participate?
Scenic Ride: Explore the picturesque roads around Ipswich and into the Scenic Rim region, showcasing Queensland’s beautiful countryside.
Support & Safety: Well-stocked rest stops, experienced marshals, and mechanical support to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
Community Event: Join fellow riding enthusiasts, local riders, and families in a supportive, inclusive atmosphere.
Registration is now open, so check out all the details on the event website, including route maps, registration information, and event updates.
We look forward to seeing you at the Ipswich 100 on March 30, 2025 – it’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss!
More details and event registration are available at the Ipswich 100 website.
Bicycle Queensland (BQ) held a memorable end-of-year function at Queensland’s Parliament House, bringing together key figures from local and state government, industry partners, BQ’s Board of Directors and Chair, staff, Bicycle User Groups (BUGs), and long-time members to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to set the stage for future advocacy for bike and scooter riding in Queensland.
The event, which took place on the evening of 21 November, was a vibrant gathering of passionate riders, policy makers and industry leaders, all united by their shared commitment to making riding safer, more accessible, and more integrated into Queensland’s transport landscape.
A Night of Reflection and Forward Momentum
BQ’s CEO Alton Twine kicked off the evening thanking attendees for their support and outlining the significant strides made in riding infrastructure, policy, and community engagement over the past year. From expanding safe cycling routes to advocating for stronger local government partnerships, Twine praised the collective efforts that have seen cycling continue to grow as a sustainable and healthy transport option across the state.
“We’ve achieved a lot together this year,” Alton Twine said. “But there’s still more work to be done. We are just getting started, and with the support of all our partners here tonight, I have no doubt we’ll continue to make Queensland a safer and more connected place for riding.”
Bicycle Queensland’s Chair, Rachel Nolan, spoke to attendees about how essential the work that BQ does is for future proofing Queensland’s cities and regions. Of key importance, Nolan said, the fact that active transport needs to be the basis for connection for Brisbane 2032 – not an add on.
BQ also acknowledged the role of local and state governments in advancing the cause of cycling. With several elected officials in attendance, including Brisbane City Council’s Ryan Murphy, the event served as an opportunity to further strengthen relationships and discuss future initiatives aimed at improving riding infrastructure and safety.
Graham Turner of the Flight Centre Group was also in attendance, and spoke to the guests about his concerns in the e-mobility space, specifically around the high-powered e-bikes and scooters that are well beyond the legislated limits. “These are actually electric motor bikes,” Turner said, with suggestions to change the retailing and use of the bikes for improved safety in Queensland. Bicycle Queensland are working on a position statement to put forward in this regard.
A Lifetime of Advocacy
The event was also a chance to award Life Memberships. Ben Wilson and Lisa Davies-Jones were both awarded Bicycle Queensland Life Memberships for their service to Bicycle Queensland. Ben Wilson was on hand to receive his from Rachel Nolan.
As the evening continued, attendees shared ideas and made connections through an informal networking session. The evening left a sense of optimism and shared purpose as those involved in the riding movement look forward to another year of progress.
You can read through Bicycle Queensland’s Annual Report and Strategy document in our Governance section.
From November 6-7, 2024, Bicycle Queensland co-hosted the Rail Trails and Tourism conference with Somerset Regional Council. The conference was held at Somerset Civic Centre in Esk, Queensland. The conference was made possible by support from the Queensland Government.
Wednesday November 6 was lead by Somerset Regional Council, with a focus on business opportunities on rail trails, with specific examples for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).
Attendees heard from Professor David Solnet and Professor Pierre Benckendorff from the University of Queensland, who did an extensive study on visitors to the BVRT. They also heard from various speakers, including Peter Horman, CEO of Queensland Country Tourism. His presentation gave fascinating insights into the data driven decisions around tourism and destination marketing, helping to improve the understanding of potential market size around rail trail experiences.
Linda Tillman from Tilma Group Consultancy gave a presentation that dug into why visitor experiences that are unique and memorable are essential for any tourism offering – and rail trails are no different. There were many takeaways for this session, especially for businesses around a rail trail who are looking to attract visitors and gain word of mouth recommendations.
Dr Richard Buning from the University of Queensland delivered a presentation on cycle tourism, with a glimpse at some global best practices and how rail trails can help be part of a picture to grow cycle tourism in Queensland and Australia.
Conference attendees delved into a group session lead by Rowan Lamont from Blue Sky Trails, problem solving and brainstorming ideas to boost growth for rail trail businesses and the awareness of experiences alongside a rail trail. This was followed by a panel discussion with four different bike riders with a wide variety of experiences of using the BVRT.
A networking function was held that evening at the Esk Grand Hotel, offering a chance for attendees to catch up in a social setting – and in many cases share notes on the progress of their own projects.
Day two of the Rail Trails and Tourism conference started with a ride on the BVRT for those keen to start early, before a casual BBQ breakfast at the Somerset Civic Centre. Day 2 was delivered by Bicycle Queensland, and was all about how to build a rail trail.
This included input from Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine on the importance of rail trails in the promotion of bike riding and active lifestyles, and a presentation from Desley O’Grady, President of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail, about the importance of having a vision when taking on such a large project.
Craig England from the Department of Transport and Main Roads busted myths about how corridors are secured, explaining the process involved with a rail line becoming available for a new project. This included managing leases, sale of assets – and avoiding losing access entirely!
With the success of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, those attending the conference enjoyed an in-depth session from Iain Lonsdale from Tweed Shire Council, about the planning involved for a rail trail, including the finer details of understanding users, desired experiences, safety, limitations, climatic conditions and even material choices.
Paul Heymans, Patron of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association, dug into the history and politics around the staged development of the BVRT, including hurdles and methods used for growth, before Rowan Lamont and Andrew Demack ran through different models of operation that can be used depending on the rail trail project.
After lunch, Tiffany Stodart, Manager of Destination, Communication and Customer Experience at Tweed Shire Council, teamed up with Bicycle Queensland’s Mike Blewitt to look at how to market a rail trail. From understanding your product, your market, new target markets, the brand – and how to manage those and increase visitation. This included looking at events, media relationships and asset creation.
The two days combined for a thorough experience on building, managing and optimising rail trails and their potential to be major economic drivers in different parts of Queensland and Australia.
‘This Rail Trails and Tourism conference was a great success, and we are happy to have been able to partner with Somerset Regional Council to deliver this two day event,’ said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. ‘Many of us already know the benefits of rail trails, and how they contribute to the economic health of a region, alongside the social, mental and physical health of the communities involved – while also getting more people out on bikes!’
‘Importantly, we are now able to develop a tool kit to guide regions on how to take a rail trail from an available corridor through to a finished tourism offering, and we are hard at work creating a guide that will be available for any community groups who are ready to tackle a rail trail project.’
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) are assessing new cycling clothing that is designed to reduce injuries from falls or crashes. The research seeks to understand current clothing choices among bike riders, your riding experiences, and related injuries. The later steps will include laboratory tests of the garments, followed by rider tests of wearability.
The Principal Researcher is Professor Narelle Haworth from the School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT, with Associate Researcher Professor Ronald Schroeter from the School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT
CARRS-Q are looking for people who are 18 or over, in Australia, who have ridden a bike in the past year. There is an anonymous survey to complete, and you can enter a prize draw to win one of four $250 gift vouchers. The survey closes on 1st February 2025.
Bicycle Queensland congratulates the Hon David Crisafulli MP on becoming the 41st Premier of Queensland.
We also congratulate the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP on becoming Minister for Transport and Main Roads, and we look forward to working with him.
Riding bikes and scooters is popular with Queenslanders. More than 1.1 million Queenslanders regularly ride, with the potential for many more. The evidence from across Australia and the world is that more people will ride more often if safe facilities are provided. This will reduce traffic congestion, improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and get us moving towards the sustainability targets that are important for the whole State, as well as for the Brisbane 2032 event that is edging ever nearer.
Bike and scooter riding have an important role to play in the transport system, offering freedom from the constraints of congestion, parking and public transport timetables. E-bikes and e-scooters have been a game changer for many as they make getting around so much easier. All across Queensland we see bikes (and increasingly, scooters) being used for daily transport and utility trips, with the added bonus of that your transport can also be your recreation.
Nowhere is this more important than with schools. In our urban areas, school traffic can make up a significant proportion (commonly 10%+) of the network traffic load, with more than 70% of students being taken to school by car. Yet a generation ago, the opposite was true, with most students walking and cycling to/from school. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast we have seen Active School Travel programs have been successful in reducing traffic congestion and creating safe routes to school.
We believe that investment into safe walking and riding paths around schools will not only increase active transport participation, but also help deliver a network that is useful for all journey types.
Compared to other transport modes, cycling and walking are comparatively cheap in terms of infrastructure and, especially, operation. We believe this is good value for government investment, particularly in the context of the Department for Transport and Main Roads’ recently-introduced policy framework of Movement and Place, which, consistent with this policy in other States and overseas, recognises that local streets and public places are environments eminently suitable for riding bikes and scooters and walking.
Also, in a cost-of-living crisis, getting around by bike or scooter is not just convenient, it’s also cheap! The more we make it safer and easier, the more people will ride.
We look forward to working with the new Queensland Government to improve conditions for bike riding and scooter use, making it easier for people to get around, be more active and healthier, and contribute to our communities being better places.
The state government election now less than one week away.
In August and September, Bicycle Queensland met with members, people interested in cycling, communities and candidates across Queensland, advocating for a better deal for cyclists and scooter riders in the forthcoming election. We also wrote to the Minister and Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads to support better outcomes for riders through better policy, programs and funding.
The Minister’s letter in response to our CEO cited the current government’s record of achievements in building active transport projects, but did not make any commitments to increased funding in future. The Shadow Minister acknowledged our letter.
Our discussions focused on the 7 key improvements that governments can make. These are:
Aim for 10% of trips by active transport by 2032 and commit 10% of the transport budget to making it happen.
Fill in the missing links in the network.
Maintain what is there already
Improve signage for safety and wayfinding
Look for cycle tourism opportunities
Engage with users
Build more shared paths and bikeways
In an election dominated by issues of youth crime, ambulance ramping, housing supply and the cost of living, cycling hasn’t rated much of a mention. When the major parties do talk about transport issues, its usually around “fixing” the Bruce highway and improving public transport. Big expensive items. Yet bike riding is for everyone everywhere and major improvements can be done for a fraction of the cost.
In the lead up to Saturday, we encourage everyone who has an interest in better outcomes for cycling and riding to contact their local candidates and let them know how important bike riding is to you and to all Queenslanders.
At Bicycle Queensland we advocate for bike and e-scooter riders as we want to see more people riding, more often. This includes recreational use of bikes and e-scooters, but we also work to create a safer environment for riders. Our goal is to have more short trips taken by bike or e-scooter instead of via a car.
A Week Without Driving is a global initiative that can be undertaken anywhere, and Get Around Cabo Carfree are promoting the week locally around Caboolture and Morayfield – but you can take part anywhere.
The concept is pretty simple – go a week without using your car. But there are some nuances in that – the idea is you look at how you change the transport modes you use. Whether you walk, ride, use a scooter, or use public transport – all are great. And if you need to use a car – can you use a ride share? Or car pool?
Wendy Nash is the driving force behind Get Around Cabo Carfree, and the local Week Without Driving initiative.
This is a voluntary and self-managed initiative, over a week-long time frame from September 30 to October 6, 2024. So it’s a perfect amount of time to see what the impacts are like for your own transport.
Get Around Cabo Carfree have also got an optional scavenger hunt built into their week, where you use the Snap Send Solve app to report issues that create problems for those who rely on active transport networks. Be that people with a pram, mobility devices, walkers, bike riders, scooter riders or the elderly. More details are on their website.
‘The Week Without Driving concept started in 2021 in Washington State, in America,’ Wendy Nash of Get Around Cabo Carfree told BQ. ‘It was to make elected representatives aware of what it is like to not use or have access to a car.’
‘As soon as I saw that I knew it was exactly what we needed to do. Caboolture and surrounds is so car dependent, it really forces car ownership here. People don’t want to, and it costs them a fortune but they don’t really have any choice.’
A big part of the Week Without Driving initiative is raising awareness. Many of us are happy to get in our car for daily trips, and with 1.8 cars owned per household in Queensland, it certainly is a luxury we take for granted. And Wendy Nash expects a few hurdles for those who challenge themselves to try a week without driving.
At the launch, we heard from a few speakers who cannot drive due to health conditions, or who had a long time without being able to drive due to injury. In their region, it makes them very aware of inadequate infrastructure around footpaths and bikeways, and also access to public transport.
‘This is a good challenge and it will make people think about how they get around. With ther 50c public transport fares right now, people can look at how they may take the trips they need to do. Once you look at ways you can get around without a car, you start to appreciate that it can be really difficult for people who don’t have one. But on a bike, I can get exactly where I need to go, on my own schedule – it’s easy.’
Of course, Belinda had some advice for those who may look to do a week without driving from September 30 – October 6 (and beyond!).
‘It can be daunting if you think you need to ride the same places where you ride, because a lot of the roads we drive on are pretty horrifying. So you need to work out how to get the places you need to go on safer routes that aren’t the ways you would go when you drive.’
Bicycle Queensland recommends trying the bike route selection on Google Maps, or OpenCycleMap.org for your route planning.
Sometimes the biggest barrier to change is starting – and here at Bicycle Queensland, we think the Week Without Driving initiative may be the perfect time to see what trips you can do without your car.
Are you a Bicycle Queensland member? Membership includes thorough insurance while you ride or use an e-scooter, plus extensive member benefits. Find out more here.
Throughout August and September 2024, Bicycle Queensland hit the road, visiting Queensland’s regions between Cairns and Coolangatta. This was an essential follow up after Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack visited the regions of Queensland in March, to meet with members, bike riders and councils to hear about concerns, opportunities and success stories.
During these visits in August and September, Bicycle Queensland were able to update members and riders on progress that has been made in advocacy for bike and e-scooter riding around the state. But more importantly, it gave us an opportunity to follow up on specific issues, and hear from people who couldn’t connect with us earlier in the year.
‘Queensland’s regions are of high importance to Bicycle Queensland, and I feel personally committed to helping to improve the safety and opportunity for bike and e-scooter riders all around Queensland,’ said Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine. ‘Growing up in Townsville, I remember seeing Flinders street flooded with bikes in the afternoon as railway workshop employees clocked off. The climate and topography hasn’t changed since then – but infrastructure around the state has, meaning many of us are defaulting to cars for short trips. We need to make sure riding a bike, e-scooter or walking for short trips is a safe, comfortable and sustainable choice.’
There are numerous challenges across the regions of Queensland. There is no denying that as a vast state, creating connected active transport networks beyond regional centres is difficult. However we did see the foundations of some excellent networks in place in different corners of the state, and we have helped to facilitate positive steps towards improvements on networks in other areas.
Bicycle Queensland also heard about the success of fantastic community initiatives, from Bike Buses for school drop off and pick up, through to marked and mapped bikepacking routes. Rail trails were high on the agenda, and Bicycle Queensland are putting our expertise together in a conference this November, to suit those regions who want to get their feasibility study around a disused rail corridor off the shelf, moving towards a rideable trail.
‘Any unused rail corridor has potential to be an excellent piece of infrastructure for bike riding, walking or even horse riding,’ said Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy. ‘Rail trails provide safe, relatively flat connections between communities. Time and time again we hear stories about how diverse user groups on rail trails are, and that runs true from the Tweed through to the Atherton Tablelands.’
One of the leading concerns that came from almost every meeting held was a change in awareness of rules that relate to bike riders on the road. While we are still compiling our key focus points for each region, state-wide we will be working on a renewed push for awareness of road rules and how they relate to those riding a bike – for both bike rider0, e-scooter riders and motorists.
Bicycle Queensland will continue to work with Queensland’s diverse regions to create better outcomes for bike and e-scooter riders. If you want to stay up to date, make sure you sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Or show your support via joining Bicycle Queensland.
