Tag: Bicycle queensland

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Press releases

‘Don’t buy your kids an illegal e-motorbike’: BQ warns after tragic deaths 

Bicycle Queensland has expressed deep concern following the deaths of an eight-year-old on the Sunshine Coast and a teenager on the Gold Coast in the past week. Both children were killed while riding electric motorbikes. There are many of these devices that are being sold as “e-bikes” throughout Queensland and Australia – however the majority do not meet Australia’s legal pedal-assist standards. 

What are the e-bike rules in Queensland?

BQ CEO Professor Matt Burke said the incidents highlight a growing safety crisis. 

“The recent deaths while children are using illegal e-motorbikes on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast have been pretty concerning,” he said. “Bicycle Queensland was advocating for appropriate regulation enforcement over a year ago, having written to the Transport Minister earlier this year. Since then we have made our submissions and presented to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility, as have many of our members. 

The inquiry is due to report by 30 March 2026. In the meantime, communities are concerned about the safety not just of e-motorbike riders, but pedestrians and other road or shared path users. 

“Bicycle Queensland is strongly against these electric motorbikes and has been from the start,” Professor Burke said. “It’s going to take a bit of time with the Queensland government inquiry to finish. It’s meant to report in March next year and then it’ll take time for the government response to come through. So, it could be many, many months before we see all the changes we’d like to see.” 

Professor Burke said the bigger issue lies with federal importation rules. 

“The worst news is that the Federal government, who created this mess by deregulating importation rules, are showing absolutely no indication that they want to do anything about this and re-regulate – that’s really, really unfortunate.” Bicycle Queensland has lobbied the relevant Ministers, the Hon. Catherine King and Tony Burke, and our friends at the national cycling lobby – We Ride Australia – have been working hard, but without much success thus far.  

Bicycle Queensland wholeheartedly support the sale and use of e-bikes that do meet Queensland regulations. Half of our staff own and ride legal e-bikes. The Qld Government provided rebates to encourage their take-up as recently as September 2024. The adoption of legal e-bikes has been great for cycle commuting, for uptake of recreational cycling and growth in cycle tourism. 

In the meantime, Prof. Burke has urged Queenslanders to prioritise safety and legality when buying e-mobility devices this Christmas. Just because you can buy the device, it doesn’t mean it meets the required standards. 

“If you’re talking to your friends, to your family, whoever it is, can you just tell people don’t buy your kids an illegal motorbike for Christmas?” he said. “It’s quite likely, after the inquiry – maybe even beforehand – that people will have these vehicles impounded.”  

Bicycle Queensland is calling for: 

  • Federal action to restore import regulations and stop illegal e-motorbikes entering Australia; 
  • Immediate state measures to enforce current laws and raise public awareness; and 
  • Community education so parents understand what constitutes a legal, safe e-bike. 

 
BQ encourages anyone looking for e-bikes that are legal, fun to ride and safe to visit their local reputable bike shop and ask their advice. The Bicycle Queensland website has links to reputable bike stores that will help you know what is and isn’t legal and help you find an e-bike that meets the rules. There are great mountain e-bikes, gravel e-bikes and commuting e-bikes that are legal, a lot of fun to ride and worth considering.  

 

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Advocacy

Twin Bridges Track and Wangetti Trail forge ahead

Bicycle Queensland welcomes the news from the Queensland Government that progress on the Wangetti Trail project will resume, with the reopening of the Twin Bridges Track also set to move ahead – amongst other infrastructure projects in the region.

The Twin Bridges Track is one of a number of iconic routes on the Atherton Tablelands. A combination of old forest roads and old Aboriginal trails, the route runs from Black Mountain Road, heading east and descending into a valley before climbing back out, exiting onto Black Mountain Road just south of the historic Bump Track – which delivers riders to Port Douglas.

The trail has been used for a range of local events, and was part of the penultimate stage of the 2017 Crocodile Trophy, a UCI classified stage race that found its home in Far North Queensland for over a decade. While the route would often be damaged in the wet season, it has been closed since 2020 due to bridge deterioration and cyclone including to bridges. Contractors have now been engaged to restore and reopen the trail, which will offer new opportunities for locals and visitors to experience the region’s natural beauty by bike or on foot.

While separate from the original Wangetti Trail alignment, the reopening of Twin Bridges will complement a broader project by connecting key sections of Far North Queensland’s coast and hinterland. Works on the Ellis Beach to Wangetti link are expected to begin following the 2026 wet season, which will ultimately create a continuous trail access from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.

For mountain bikers, there is more good news. The Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROQ) has built its Regional Mountain Bike Strategy for 2024-2034, tying together 12 regional councils and numerous mountain bike trail networks. These include Atherton, Smithfield, Kuranda, Davies Creek, Cardwell and of course Wangetti. Their plan sets out long-term plans for mountain bike trail and infrastructure development and management, along with developing multi-day adventure cycling routes (ie: bikepacking) to link the region together.

Smithfield will take the limelight, as it should given its proximity to an international airport, beaches and countless places to stay. Having hosted two World Championships, numerous World Cups and three Crankworx events, Smithfield will be getting updated trail infrastructure that should bring in more major events. Expect an 85km network by late 2028, thanks to a $14-15 million dollar expansion from the Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation and the Destination 2045 tourism plan alongside the Wangetti Trail.

Atherton has a $1 million refurbishment happening, thanks to Queensland’s disaster recovery program. The glow up will make essential repairs to about 47km of the existing 55km network, with the work undertaken by Contour Works.

Davies Creek is also working on a refurb. The fast trails have been showcased in events like Reef to Reef, but the focus is on being an all-abilities trail hub, including a 14km epic style trail and flowing singletrack. With a campsite, swimming holes and an interpretive trail – the upgrades will be made possible thanks to community funding from the Community Gambling Benefit Fund, Bendigo Bank and more.

The Wangetti Trail is slated to run 95km from Palm Cove to Port Douglas. With about 8km open to Ellis Beach, there is a lot of work to do, but this trail will have the highest appeal in the region, traversing one of the most beautiful stretches of coast line in Australia. It could be one of Australia’s Great Rides.

For Bicycle Queensland, this range of projects highlight the importance of investment in a mix of safe, accessible trails that support both recreational and adventure riding, while still pursuing more demanding trails to attract events – all while delivering economic and social value to regional towns.

“Bicycle Queensland has been part of advocacy in Far North Queensland for decades, supporting groups like the Cairns Bicycle User Group to get good outcomes on the ground,” said BQ CEO Prof. Matt Burke. “BQ helped pioneer cycle tourism in the region, bringing events like Cycle Queensland through. We will continue to support these efforts, working with other partners like Outdoors Queensland to get a better state trail network in place. We’ll continue to fight for links like the Wangetti and the Atherton-Mareeba Rail Trail. We also hope to help seed more regional cycling events up north very soon.”

With adventure rides like the FNQ Pioneer Bike Trail taking shape, trail upgrades and more, Far North Queensland is shaping up to be a mountain biking and adventure riding capital for the dry season. 

Categories
Advocacy

Riders roll in to Ride2Work Day at Queen’s Wharf 

More than 150 riders joined Bicycle Queensland (BQ) and The Star this morning (October 15) for a special Ride2Work Day coffee catch-up at the Velo Café, right beside the Bicentennial Bikeway at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane. 

The event brought together regular commuters, BQ Members, occasional riders, and cycling advocates for a morning of conversation, caffeine and connection. It was a chance to celebrate the benefits of riding to work, but also celebrate riding bikes. It was also an opportunity for some guests to discuss ways to make cycling safer and more accessible across Queensland. 

BQ CEO Professor Matt Burke spoke about the importance of creating a city that supports active transport. 

“We need more bikeways and more street trees to make Brisbane a liveable, healthy city,” Professor Burke said. “Queensland already has some excellent cycling infrastructure, but it’s often disconnected. We want to see 60 kilometres of new bikeways delivered in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 – just as Paris did to transform how people move around their city.” 

The Star’s Chief Operating Officer Kelvin Dodt also addressed the crowd, highlighting Queen’s Wharf Brisbane’s support for community initiatives and active transport to their precinct. 

“We believe this is a fantastic space. We are very much committed to making sure that the precinct is very community friendly and we work and collaborate consistently with different groups, including Bicycle Queensland, to make sure that everyone enjoys what we have to offer here in the precinct.” 

Thank you to The Star for letting us use their event space this morning, and for providing the coffees for riders! BQ was also joined by Epic Cycles, one of our BQ Link partners and a long time supporter, on hand to help give some attention to the squeaky wheels that were riding to work. CycleLaw, BQ’s legal partner, were also on hand to answer questions that BQ Members or others riding to work may have had.

Ride2Work Day is Australia’s largest celebration of day-to-day riding, encouraging more people to try cycling as a convenient, affordable and healthy way to get to work. Events like this one can help people step out their door and onto a bike for their journey, but of course to do that we need to feel safe. Bicycle Queensland will continue to advocate to make Queensland a safer and more connected place to ride a bike. 

Be a local advocate

See.Sense have also partnered with BQ for a Ride2Work promotion running for 4 weeks! Just by downloading their app, registering and making a report, you will be in with a chance to win 1 of 4 See.Sense ICON 3 rear lights! Full details are listed here.

The reports made will help build a dashboard that highlights any problem areas on popular bike routes – be it maintenance issues or user behaviour. Every bike rider can be involved in the reporting – so download the app and take part.

Categories
Advocacy

WIN 1 of 4 See.Sense ICON3 lights!

National Ride2Work day is an initiative to help get more people riding. Bicycle Queensland is holding a Ride2Work morning at Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane, along one of Australia’s most popular bike routes – the Bicentennial Bikeway.

Not all bike routes have the same line of sight or surface condition, which can impact your sense of safety along the route, or lead to an accident. See.Sense have developed an app that lets you report any issues on your regular rides, to help create a snapshot of potential issues along different bike routes.

All you need is your smart phone and the See.Sense app, downloaded and recording for your ride. As shown above, you can report any incident during your ride, including leaving notes.

Download see.sense app for iphone
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Submit a report and you may win a See.Sense ICON 3 light!

See.Sense make a range of lights with inbuilt sensors that assist with reporting issues where you’re riding – as well as delivering light based on available light, meaning you can ride more and charge your light less!

See.Sense have 4 ICON 3 lights to give away. All you need to do is:
– Download the See.Sense app and register with your email address
– Submit a See.Sense report within the competition period (October 15 – November 15 2025)

Anyone who submits a report goes into a draw each week to win a See.Sense ICON 3 light – one winner per week. You don’t need to purchase a light, but BQ Members can buy one at 30% off – you can get your discount code from the Portal.

The See.Sense Report website will be available on the BQ website at the end of the competition period, so you will be able to view the reports made by others. Each report will help support the advocacy work of Bicycle Queensland to create a safer and more connected Queendland for bike and e-scooter riders.

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Events

Thousands ride the 2025 Mater Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer 

Almost 4,000 cyclists took to the road on a humid Sunday, 12 October, for one of Queensland’s most iconic charity rides – the Mater Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer. Riders rolled out in waves from Brisbane’s South Bank before making their way along the 100-kilometre route to Southport, cheered on by supporters and volunteers the whole way. 

The event, delivered by the Mater Foundation in partnership with Bicycle Queensland, continues to unite the riding community while raising funds to support cancer research, treatment, and care. This year’s event was one for the record books, with participants raising close to $700,000 to support the Mater’s life-changing work. 

Rowan Foster from Mater Foundation said the generosity of the community was what made the event so special. 

“Nearly 4,000 people out there today riding from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, this is an incredible result. A lot of people are doing it with purpose, supporting or honouring a loved one affected by cancer. We’ve raised a record result this year, close to $700,000. It’s been a fantastic day.” 

For the riders who tackled the B2GC the event is both a personal challenge and a celebration of cycling in Queensland. We saw a host of jerseys on the road and at Southport from many B2GC events over the years – and a few from our previous Cycle Queensland events as well. Neopro were even on site at the finish to measure up riders who were looking to order their own jersey as a memento. 

The course offered an unforgettable experience, including almost 20 kilometres of traffic-free riding on the South East Busway, giving participants the rare thrill of cruising along one of Brisbane’s busiest commuter corridors with nothing but bikes in sight. 

This year also saw strong participation from regional Queenslanders and interstate visitors alike – a sign of the event’s growing appeal and reputation for quality organisation, community spirit, and on-road safety. A team from Yeppoon was even one of the top fundraisers! 

Bicycle Queensland’s partnership with the Mater Foundation continues to play a vital role in supporting this major event. From rider communications and advocacy to event operations and marshalling, BQ’s involvement helps ensure thousands of Queenslanders can safely enjoy this signature ride each year. 

A huge thank you goes out to the event marshals, volunteers, Queensland Police, and traffic controllers who worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe on the day. And a special thanks to all BQ members, supporters, and friends who not only took on the B2GC challenge but also stopped by the BQ tent at Southport to say hello and share their stories from the ride. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Professor Matt Burke congratulated the Mater Foundation on delivering another outstanding event, saying it perfectly showcased the joy, health, and community benefits of cycling. 

“The Mater Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer is a wonderful example of what mass bike rides bring to Queensland. Thousands of people, smiling faces, meeting other cyclists, riding together, raising funds for a good cause. Congratulations to the good folks at the Mater for another hugely successful event. The police and marshals did a great job making the route safer.” 

Prof Burke noted that safe cycling between the cities shouldn’t require such events. “I hope that one day soon anyone can ride directly from Brisbane to the Gold Coast on any day of the year on a safe route. We have gaps that need fixing to make that possible.” 

Bicycle Queensland is proud to support the Mater Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer and the thousands of riders who take on the challenge each year – see you in 2026! 

Looking for your next challenge? BQ have partnered with Lions Brisbane West for the Ipswich Scenic 100 on March 2026 – entries are open now!

Categories
Advocacy

Brisbane’s Story Bridge opens for active transport users

The shared use paths on Brisbane’s Story Bridge have been closed since ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, in March 2025. Post storm inspection showed the concrete pathways were dangerously thin, alongside other issues with the structure. Since then, active transport users in Brisbane have missed this vital link across the Brisbane River, with the detoured route not suiting many users. One side of the bridge’s shared paths are now set to open on Friday October 3.

In the meantime, volunteers have organised a Bike Bus across the Story Bridge, but this did not account for walkers, runners or e-scooter riders. The replacement decking fitted by Brisbane City Council allows all active transport users access again – and is part of the council’s long-term plan to restore the Story Bridge.

‘I saw the new decking as I rode past just this morning, and it looked great,’ said Professor Matt Burke, Bicycle Queensland’s newly appointed CEO. ‘This is a win for everyone who bikes, walks, runs or scoots in the inner-city. We are really happy the Story Bridge is open to cyclists and pedestrians again. Its loss was a major problem these last months. Congratulations to the Mayor and those at Council who got the decking fixed much earlier than predicted.”

‘The Story Bridge is emblematic of something much bigger though. There are a lot more roads, bridges and cycling facilities not being maintained at good standard, right across Australia. Local governments find it increasingly difficult to maintain their existing transport infrastructure, let alone build more. They own most of the roads, cycling and foot paths; they own the responsibility to fix them. But councils receive only a tiny percentage of our total tax revenues. They are becoming chronically underfunded, especially in the regions.’

Categories
Advocacy

Can you manage a Week Without Driving? 

How long could you get by without using a car? A day? A week? For many Queenslanders, driving feels like the only option – but what happens when we look beyond the steering wheel?

The Week Without Driving is a global initiative that shines a light on what it’s like to live without access to a private vehicle. It began in the US with disability rights advocates, and has since spread internationally. In 2025, the Week Without Driving runs from September 29 to October 5th. Bicycle Queensland and Queensland Walks are proud to support the campaign here in Queensland along with disability and sustainable transport groups worldwide.

Taking part means choosing to make all your everyday trips by bike, on foot, on public transport, or by sharing rides. It’s not just a personal challenge but an invitation to see our communities through a new lens. What’s easy? What’s difficult? And where could we make changes to ensure everyone, whether they can drive or not, has safe and affordable ways to get around?

The Week Without Driving is a chance to:

  • Experience the barriers faced by people who can’t or don’t drive.
  • Discover the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, cycling, and catching public transport.
  • Share your insights with decision makers, helping create communities that are more connected, inclusive, and sustainable.

“The Week Without Driving campaign reminds us that everyone needs safe and connected streets especially for people who walk, ride, or roll,” said Anna Campbell, Executive Officer at Queensland Walks.

“This initiative is about awareness and action,” said BQ’s CEO Matt Burke. “When more of us experience life without a car, even briefly, we see how vital good walking and cycling infrastructure is for our neighbourhoods. We learn about the paths, the cycling routes and public transport options that already exist, and how to use them in future. We empathise more with those who have no choice but to do all their trips car-free.”

Whether you commit to a single day, or take on the full week, you’ll be helping spark important conversations about transport, access, and equity in Queensland. Of course, it is ok to drive – but use it as a chance to reflect on the difficulties for those who aren’t in a position to opt for private motorised transport.

More details are available on the Week Without Driving website: https://weekwithoutdriving.org/

Categories
Press releases

Bicycle Queensland welcomes $3.5 million boost for regional rail trails

Photo from the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Weekend 2024, supported by Bicycle Queensland. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.

Bicycle Queensland has welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment of $3.5 million to upgrade four regional rail trails, saying the investment will help grow bike tourism, improve community access, and support regional economies.

“Bicycle Queensland is delighted with the State Government’s announcement of $3.5 million in funding for regional rail trails,” said BQ CEO Professor Matt Burke. “The ‘cycling economy’ is transforming many regions in Australia and it’s great to see Queensland building up and planning more rail trail improvements.”

The new funding will deliver upgrades across four key projects:

  • Pioneer Valley Rail Trail will receive $75,000.
  • Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail will receive $1.6 million.
  • Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail will receive $147,000.
  • Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will receive $1.6 million.

These investments are designed to improve safety, accessibility, and the rider experience, while also strengthening Queensland’s regional tourism offering as part of the Destination 2045 strategy.

Discover some of Queensland’s great rail trails via our Where to Ride page.

Bicycle Queensland believes the best rail trail is an open rail trail, and recently partnered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to deliver a Rail Trail Toolkit. The toolkit provides practical guidance for community groups looking to start or expand rail trail projects, helping to move a feasibility project to something that can be planned, built and promoted. BQ believes that the toolkit can assist more parts of Queensland being able to enjoy the social, environmental, and economic benefits that rail trails deliver. The recent announcement of funding for regional rail trails is a great sign that there is state government support for the same goals.

With thousands of people riding Queensland’s rail trails each year, from day trippers to multi-day tourists, the latest funding announcement is an important step in ensuring Queensland has national and even globally significant riding infrastructure that not only drives a tourism economy, but provides social and health benefits for local communities as well.