It’s great to see that Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has completed a pathway link from Sugarmill Road along Lomandra Drive, linking to Viola Place and Da Vinci Boulevard. This path will be a great benefit to people getting around the Brisbane Airport precinct by cycling or walking.
BAC has also announced some further active transport projects, including a secure bike parking facility at the Domestic Terminal, and plans for a corridor study at the airport to work out the best active transport routes.
These are actions from BAC’s Active Transport Strategy and Action Plan, which BAC has emailed us to say is complete. Sadly, that document is not available to the public, which makes it difficult for Bicycle Queensland and the Airport Bicycle Users Group to really engage collaboratively with BAC. From our perspective, transparency is as important as providing the infrastructure, and our message to all agencies and governments is that making your plans available to the public builds trust and respect with the community.
The Queensland Government has committed $315 millon over the coming four years to expand the network of bikeways and walking paths. Bicycle Queensland applauds this investment, which overshadows the recent announcement of a $100 million Active Transport Fund.
The state government is aiming to encourage more Queenslanders to leave their cars at home, however the $315 million investment is still a fraction of the eye-watering $34.7 billion that is registered in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) following the state budget announcment. So while $315 million seems like a lot, and it is, it’s not even 1% of the total investment in transport. The United Nations suggest 20% of transport infrastructure funding should go towards active transport, but Queensland is falling well short.
‘Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic and less pollution, and can also mean savings on transport costs,’ stated Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish. ‘It’s not only cheaper than using a car but it’s much better for your health and we think Queenslanders deserve world class active transport facilities.’
The Queensland government state that for every dollar invested in a bikeway, nearly five dollars are returned in economic benefits to Queensland – however the cost to benefit ratio for many built motorways is as low as 0.24, compared to close to 5.0 for bikeways.
Some other projects of note within this funding include: – $41.5 million for the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway (co-funded with the federal government) – $36.1 milion velobridge over Birdwood Road on the Veloway 1 in Greenslopes – $9.4 million towards the second stage of the New England Highway Bikeway between Highfields and Toowoomba – $10.4 million for improvements to active transport on Moggil oad from the Centenary Motorway to Chapel Hill Road. – $22.5 million to fill gaps on the Riverwalk at Kangaroo Point – which makes an unbroken link between Kangaroo Point and Mowbray Park – $9.6 million to develop a network of bike-friendly streets in South Brisbane, Highgate Hill and West End.
‘Bicycle Queensland members and the 800,000 Queenslanders who regularly ride a bike all welcome this announcement from the Minister,’ said Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy. ‘Building bikeways is great value for money for Queensland towns and cities, and we’re keen to see connected, high-quality bikeways built that give people the chance to get to their destinations safely while building their fitness and reducing congestion and carbon emissions.’
On Friday June 21, 2024, Toowoomba Regional Council opened Queensland’s first Safe Active Street on Pierce Street in Toowoomba. Not just a first for Queensland, this was a first for the whole eastern seaboard of Australia. A Safe Active Street prioritises cycling, with a speed limit of 30km/h. Cars need to yield to cyclists, with painted lanes making all road users aware of the changed conditions.
Dropping the speed limit to 30km/h reduces the severity of any collisions between road users (no matter the modality) but it also helps make more bike riders feel safer on said street. Piercee Street in Toowoomba is a connector on the West Creek Cycleway, and amending the street into a Safe Active Street was a more cost-effective solution than creating a separated bikeway to create the connection. As Pierce Street ends in a quiet cul-de-sac there will be minimal impact on drivers of vehicles, but enhanced safety for those on bikes.
What does a Safe Active Street mean?
The speed limit is 30km/h. This applies to all road users.
People riding bikes are to ride near the centre of the shared travel lane (the terracotta painted zone).
People driving cars are to maintain 30km/h or less behind the person on a bike until safe to overtake, ensuring a distance of one metre from the rider. You are allowed to drive over the outside lines of the terracotta zone to overtake safely or to pass an oncoming vehicle.
Always give way to oncoming traffic and drive or ride in a safe and courteous manner.
Brian McKay, Senior Transport Planner at Toowoomba Regional Council, explained the concept of a Safe Active Street, and why they can be an important part of transport networks – and also affect change.
‘A Safe Active Street is something that is common throughout a lot of countries in Europe. Basically it is a street where everyone shares the same space. It has a lower speed environment… and we all know that 30km/h is that critical speed limit for safety. Bike riders have priority on this street and car drivers will have to sit behind a cyclist until they’re safe to move past.’
Having looked at various options to solve this missing link on the West Creek Cycleway, this was deemed the best fit by council.
‘We have a very car dominated road network in Queensland and in Australia,’ added McKay. ‘So all the time we can get these incremental changes to show people that there is a different kind of behaviour that is appropriate and safe for all users, then it is a great outcome for all.’
Transport and Main Roads (TMR) recently opened a new bridge on the Veloway. removing a dangerous intersection on this critical piece of cylcling infrastructure. The bridge was opened by the Hon Bart Mellish, alongside Mark Bailey, Joe Kelly and other dignitaries.
Andrew Demack, our Director of Advocacy, was at the bridge opening and was enthusiastic about the impacts it will have.
‘This bridge takes out a really dangerous crossing on O’Keefe street and the crossing with Carl street. Morning peak hour on Carl street was horrendous, and this new bridge takes all of that out.’
Instead, when you approach the city you now come in on a long loop under the main road, with a gentle gradient taking you onto the bridge and along the pre-existing parts of the V1 as you head north to the city.
‘East-west also has a connection, so if you are coming along from the Princess Alexandra Hospital you can come in from the northern side of the road, which you couldn’t in earlier designs. I’m so glad that the Queensland state government and TMR allowed that link to be part of the overall project. Of course, the next missing link is at Birdwood road, but they are working on a bridge for that as well.’
The Miles Government is investing a total of $315 million over the next four years, aiming to expand the cycling and walking paths in Queensland. This is a part of the $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28. Projects included in this investment include the velobridge in Greenslopes and a Riverwalk expandsion at Kangaroo Point.
‘Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic and less pollution, and can also mean savings on transport costs,’ explained Minister Mellish. ‘It’s not only cheaper than using a car but it’s much better for your health and we think Queenslanders deserve world class active transport facilities.’
This new bridge represents an investment of $22.03 million, and we’re certain it has improved efficiency of the network and the safety for all users.
Happy Father and son riding their bicycles by the lake. Father and son having fun together on their bikes in the park. Happy family, outdoors activities, childhood and parenting concept.
Bicycle Queensland welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a $100 million Active Transport Fund, but BQ and the other bike advocacy groups have met and assert that a more substantial commitment is needed to create meaningful change. The $100 million is a step in the right direction, but insufficient for any impact nationwide.
Working with other state bodies, Bicycle Queensland are preparing a submission to highlight our key concerns. These revolve around:
– a lack of specific deliverables and a framework for delivery. – a need to scale up investment for meaningful impact. – recognition of e-bikes and e-scooters as light EVs, as part of a lower emissions solution. – promotion of, and investment in active transport networks, including strategic cycling networks in all major cities.
Bicycle Queensland and the other state bodies appreciate the government’s efforts to promote active travel through the net-zero roadmap, however we urge a more ambitious and holistic approach so Australia can realise the full potential of active travel. We will be working on our submission, but you can read the details about the policy and have provide your own feedback via the portal right now.
Bicycle Queensland was pleased to take the opportunity to participate in Brisbane City Council’s community working group for the next and final stage of the North Brisbane Bikeway: between Price Street to Kedron Brook.
This 500 metre section of bikeway will unlock a direct connection from Sandgate and even Redcliffe, all the way to Brisbane’s CBD. As a missing link which makes a difference to every bike rider, e-bike rider and e-scooter rider on the north side of Brisbane, it is hard to understate the significance of the NBB project.
We’ve been working closely with Brisbane North Bicycle Users Group as we look for the best way to help BCC see that even with some local opposition, this project is one which benefits almost everyone, through reducing congestion and enabling safe active transport.
On May 22, 2024 We Ride submitted a crucial proposal to the Climate Change Authority, co-authored with Bicycle Queensland and other state advocacy bodies. Our aim is clear: to ensure that the vital role of active transport, including bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, is recognised and prioritised in discussions surrounding climate action in Australia.
“Bicycle Queensland is proud to be part of this multi-jurisdictional approach to recognising the vital role that cycling plays in helping to decarbonise our transport sector.” said Alton Twine, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. “Its not just about a transition to EV cars – Climate Change policy needs to consider the significant potential to reduce emissions that active transport modes can play if appropriate investment is made by government to support meaningful mode shift in Australian Cities.”
“Everyone who rides a bike for their daily transport and recreational purposes is contributing to a cleaner, greener and healthier planet. If Australia is to achieve its emissions targets, every sector needs to help and cycling needs to be formally considered as part of this.”
At the heart of our concern lies the omission of active transport in the Climate Change Authority’s proposal. With the urgent need to transition towards low-emission alternatives, promoting the use of bicycles and small electric vehicles emerges as a readily accessible, equitable, and affordable solution.
Currently, Australia’s investment in active transport infrastructure lags far behind international recommendations, constituting a mere 2% of expenditure compared to the suggested 20% outlined by the United Nations. This discrepancy underscores the pressing need for increased support and funding in this area.
Bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters offer a swift transition towards sustainable transportation, particularly for short trips. By prioritising incentives and infrastructure for these modes of transport, we can avoid exacerbating emissions through the rapid uptake of electric cars and the subsequent need for extensive infrastructure updates around EV charging.
As highlighted in We Ride’s submission, there is a strong public interest in active transport. However, concerns about safety persist, with two-thirds of individuals surveyed expressing reservations about the suitability of current infrastructure designed primarily for internal combustion vehicles.
We fully endorse the points raised by We Ride, including the health benefits and economic advantages associated with widespread adoption of active transport networks. In preparation for the upcoming state election in October, Bicycle Queensland urges our members to engage with local representatives to understand their stance on active transport.
Together, let’s pedal towards a greener, healthier future!
Bicycle Queensland welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of its commitment to invest in active transport infrastructure, fostering more liveable, active, and connected cities and regional centres nationwide.
Catherine King, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, announced $100 million to establish a ground breaking national Active Transport Fund. This fund aims to enhance and develop new bicycle and pedestrian pathways, promoting zero-emission travel, ensuring safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians, and fostering active and vibrant communities.
“The creation of the national Active Transport Fund marks a significant step towards building sustainable and accessible transportation options across Australia,” said Alton Twine, CEO at Bicycle Queensland. “We applaud the government’s recognition of the importance of active transport in promoting social connection, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and creating vibrant urban and regional environments. Bicycle Queensland commends the government for prioritising investments in infrastructure that enable individuals to commute to school, work, and local services safely and sustainably.”
The program guidelines for the Active Transport Fund will be collaboratively developed in consultation with states and territories. These guidelines are set to be unveiled to the public before the fund’s anticipated commencement on July 1, 2025.
Minister King emphasised the government’s commitment to creating thriving communities across urban and regional Australia.
“We want communities to thrive whether they be in cities or in the regions,” stated Minister King. “We are investing to build economic opportunity and also the opportunity for people to enjoy the spaces and places they live in, building connection and improving safety.”
“It’s great to see the federal government on board with providing transport for all users,” stated Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy. “Funding to grow and maintain an active transport network has been missing at both a federal level, and this is a fantastic first step by the government towards progressive transport investment.”
Bicycle Queensland looks forward to collaborating with the Albanese Government and stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the national Active Transport Fund, advancing the vision of healthier, more connected, and sustainable communities nationwide.
