Tag: Brisbane

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Events

BQ Bike Park proves fans are ready to ride to the Gabba

Bicycle Queensland’s first free Bike Park at the Gabba has successfully demonstrated that secure bike parking can become part of the game-day experience for Queenslanders, with the inaugural trial proving the concept works for Brisbane sports fans.

The Bike Park, delivered in partnership with Microbility, welcomed riders attending the Brisbane Lions’ home game on Sunday 12 July, providing free, supervised parking just 100 metres from the stadium.

The successful first event is the beginning of a trial that will continue across the remaining Brisbane Lions home games this season, giving more fans the confidence to leave the car at home and ride to the football.

The Bike Park operated smoothly through the afternoon and evening, with riders checking bikes in and out through a simple valet-style process while volunteers monitored the facility for the duration of the match.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said the trial addresses one of the biggest barriers preventing more people riding to major events. Around 20 riders took advantage of the free Bike Park during the soft launch, providing an encouraging start to the trial.

“Griffith University research found only three privately-owned bikes parked round the Gabba at a sold-out AFL game in 2024, despite there being over 30,000 fans in attendance. Yet many of Brisbane’s best bikeways flow nearby. People don’t ride because there is nowhere safe to park and they are afraid their bike will get nicked. Our partnership with Microbility fixes that. It’s exactly the kind of practical initiative that will get more people onto bikes and reduce the State Government’s costs in providing special event buses.”

“With only limited promotion ahead of our first Bike Park, seeing around 20 riders use the free service during the soft launch is a really encouraging result. It shows there are people who want to ride to major events when they know their bike will be safe.”

The trial is also an opportunity to demonstrate how active transport can play a greater role in moving people to and from major venues ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bike valet parking is already common at major sporting events across Europe and North America, with similar services operating successfully during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The demand has always been there – riders just haven’t had a reason to trust that their bike would be safe at a big game or event,” said Microbility Director Derek Mollison. “Bike Park gives them that convenience and trust. The Gabba is the right venue to start, and in partnering with BQ we have the credibility and the community reach to make this work. 2032 is a key vision, but the habits we build now are the legacy.”

Bicycle Queensland hopes the successful first trial is the start of a broader conversation about making secure bike parking a standard feature at major venues across Queensland.

The free BQ Bike Park will return for the remaining Brisbane Lions home games at the Gabba this season:

• Sunday 26 July – Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide
• Friday 7 August – Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn
• Saturday 15 August – Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns (subject to AFL confirmation)

Located beside the Woolloongabba Substation at 45 Logan Road, the Bike Park opens one hour before matches start and remains staffed until one hour after the match.

Bicycle Queensland encourages anyone attending the remaining games to give riding a go and experience just how easy travelling to the Gabba by bike can be.

Categories
Events

BQ Bike Park: Ride to the Gabba 

Bicycle Queensland have partnered with Microbility to deliver a new free, secure bike parking service at three remaining Brisbane Lions home games this home-and-away season. This is the first time valet-style bike parking will be offered to Lions fans. The trial service will showcase how free bike and scooter parking can work at Queensland stadiums in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The professionally-managed, fully-supervised Bike Park service is free to use. It will give AFL fans a safe and convenient place close to the stadium to leave their bike or scooter, and know it will be there when they return. Fans can use a simple booking and check-in process, drop their bike with staff, and have it returned after the game. 

The Bike Park model is used around the world. At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, bike valet services operated across 75 locations in 17 cities, guarding more than 90,000 bikes and scooters and recording zero theft or damage incidents. The current World Cup has similar services running in Canadian and US cities, including a large facility in Seattle.  

Where is it? 

The Bike Park team will be set up next to the Woolloongabba Substation, 45 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, only one hundred metres from the stadium itself. That’s the corner of Jurgen St and Logan Road. Please follow the signs and walk your bike up the ramp on the Logan Road side of the facility.

The Bike Park opens one-hour before the game starts and will be available for the following AFL games:

  • Round 18, Lions vs. Essendon, Sunday 12th July 2026, open from 3.30pm
  • Round 20, Lions vs. Port Adelaide, Sunday 26th July 2026, open from midday
  • Round 22, Lions vs. Hawthorn, Friday 7th August 2026, open from 6.40pm   
  • Round 23, Lions vs. The Suns, (date to be finalised) Saturday 15th August 2026, open from midday

Check out the specifics on the BQ Event Calendar.

“Griffith University research found only three privately-owned bikes parked round the Gabba at a sold-out AFL game in 2024, despite there being over 30,000 fans in attendance,” Bicycle Queensland CEO Matt Burke said. “Yet many of Brisbane’s best bikeways flow nearby. People don’t ride because there is nowhere safe to park and they are afraid their bike will get nicked. Our partnership with Microbility fixes that. It’s exactly the kind of practical initiative that will get more people onto bikes and reduce the State Government’s costs in providing special event buses.” 

Building Toward Brisbane 2032 

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games have set ambitious targets for sustainable travel – with active and public transport expected to carry the majority of spectator journeys. Early transport modelling suggested the Brisbane Games will only work if lots more people walk and cycle to the key venues. The Bike Park trial is all about changing the culture in how people get to a game, in advance of 2032. If it proves popular, the case will be made for commercial operators to continue to provide such services in future, including well beyond the Olympics. 

Bicycle Queensland is looking to expand to other Queensland stadiums next year, including for NRL fans and at major concerts. The long-term goal is that similar bike parking services are embedded as a standard requirement of major event traffic management plans in Queensland, just like they are in much of Asia, Europe and North America.  

Categories
Advocacy

Sylvan Rd separated cycleway inching ever closer

Brisbane City Council has released two sets of concept plans for the long-asked-for safe link from the Miskin Street terminus of the Centenary Cycleway at Toowong, and the Bicentennial Bikeway.

This one of the busiest bike commuting routes in Brisbane, and it runs for 1.8km along Sylvan Rd and Land Street. Bicycle Queensland and the bicycle user groups have been asking for a safe off-road route along Syvlan Rd since the Centenary Cycleway opened in 2005.

There are two concept design options for the Sylvan Road and Land Street corridor which both provide protected bikeways separated from people walking and driving. One option provides a continuous bi-directional bikeway and the other option is part uni-directional/part bi-directional bikeway.

The bi-directional version has some advantages. In that design, Sylvan Rd would be one-way only from the Milton Rd corner east-bound to Croydon Rd intersection. Even though the proposed bikeway would cross from one side of the road to the other halfway through that section, it would be crossing only one lane of traffic.

The alternate has a single lane bikeway either side of two-way traffic, in the same Milton Rd-Croydon Rd section.

One notable improvement that is shown on both proposed designs is the removal of on-street parking for the length of Sylvan Rd. This will certainly have a safety benefit for people using the bikeway.

Both designs use a bi-directional bikeway on the north side of Sylvan Rd, from the Croydon Rd corner east-bound past Wests Rugby and Toowong Memorial Park,  and continuing along Land St until it joins the underpass towards the Bicentennial Bikeway.

Brisbane City Council is inviting people to “have their say” on these proposed designs. Bicycle Queensland’s message to our bike-riding community is to make sure you weigh in with massive support for the project. This is a bikeway that we don’t want to see held back by local residents who wrongly perceive that it will create problems for them. So hit the link and let them know!

Categories
Advocacy

Victora Park bike access confirmed 

Bike riders and pedestrians will continue to have access through Victoria Park during early works for the Brisbane 2032 stadium precinct, with a temporary protected shared path set to open from June 1. 

While large sections of Victoria Park public green space will progressively close as construction begins, the temporary corridor will maintain an important north-south active transport connection between the North Brisbane Bikeway and Herston. 

The temporary route will run from the end of the North Brisbane Bikeway along Gilchrist Avenue towards the land bridge at Herston, providing a wide, protected space for people walking, riding and rolling through the area.  

The measure is expected to remain in place while a permanent dedicated shared path is constructed, which will be part of a broader set of active transport routes as part of the infrastructure delivery. 

The connection is significant for commuters, recreational riders and local residents who regularly use Victoria Park as a safer and more direct route between the inner north, Kelvin Grove, Herston and the CBD. 

Maintaining riding and pedestrian access during major construction projects is essential, particularly as Brisbane prepares for rapid population growth and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Matthew Burke said: “We know cyclists have been very worried. But we’re really grateful the project team has thought of us, planned for us, designed for us, and are now implementing a reasonable solution as early works begin. We’ll have a safe temporary route through Gilchrist Ave at first, then what should be a safe route off the North Brisbane Bikeway and around the stadium in the construction phase.” 

He said: “We should maintain pretty good access to and from the North Brisbane Bikeway right through the stadium development. It won’t be as convenient for those coming from Herston and the Enoggera Creek Bike Bridge, and cyclists will have to keep alert for construction traffic.”  

“We’ve also asked for all heavy vehicles to use protection side guards, also known as ‘skirts’, to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe, like they do in London.”   

The temporary arrangements come amid growing community concern about maintaining safe walking and cycling access during large-scale infrastructure works across Brisbane ahead of the Games. 

Victoria Park’s bikeways have become increasingly important transport corridors in recent years. They provide connections to schools, hospitals, universities and the city centre, as well as being key training and recreational bicycle routes. 

The long-term plan for the precinct is said to include expanded active transport infrastructure designed to improve connectivity across the inner north, with dedicated cycling and pedestrian facilities expected to form part of the final network. Delivering permanent, high-quality active transport infrastructure as part of the Games legacy is vitally important for Brisbane and the Games. 

Further details about construction staging and future active transport infrastructure are expected as planning for the Victoria Park stadium precinct progresses. 

Categories
Advocacy Bikeway detours and closures

Temporary Herschel Street bikeway detour  

Bike riders travelling through Brisbane’s CBD will see a temporary detour on the Herschel Street crossing to Roma Street from Wednesday 11 February 2026, as part of ongoing works for the Cross River Rail project. 

The shared path between George Street and Roma Street will close for up to eight weeks to allow construction of an improved walking and riding environment. While the detour will require adjustments to your regular route, the outcome will deliver better safety and connectivity for riders. 

You have a few options during the closure, however the George Street bike lane provides a clear and safe alternative south of the closure, and the signalised crossing at Makerston Street will assist people walking or riding through the area. If you must use the Roma Street footpaths, please be considerate of pedestrians. There will be traffic control and signage in place to assist riders, pedestrians and motorists.  

Allow another minute or two on your trip, and take extra care on the detour you choose – including being mindful as pedestrians negotiate the same changes in their route. 

BQ has long advocated for safer, more intuitive and higher-quality cycling infrastructure through the Brisbane CBD, particularly on key east–west links like Herschel Street. Unfortunately, a safe riding thoroughfare along the full length of Herschel Street will not be developed within this particular project. 

Once construction is complete, a new shared link between George and Roma streets will open, with excellent connections to Roma Street station.  

BQ will continue to keep members informed as works progress and encourages riders to report any issues encountered during the detour so they can be raised with the project team. More details can be found on the project website.

Categories
Advocacy

Brisbane Riverwalk reopens at Eagle Street after major upgrade 

Bicycle Queensland welcomes the reopening of a key section of the Riverwalk at the  Waterfront Brisbane project, after more than two years of construction works. 

The upgraded Riverwalk section will reopen by midday on Tuesday 3 February, after being closed for approximately 30 months to enable construction works by Dexus. 

This section of the Riverwalk had long been a challenging pinch point for people walking and riding, with narrow widths, poor sight lines and tight corners creating conflict and safety concerns for all users. 

BQ was invited by Dexus to preview the new Riverwalk section ahead of its reopening. 

The shared path now features a generous 6m-wide corridor with smooth concrete surfacing, improved sight lines and safer corners. Shallow cobblestones have also been used to visually indicate areas where users can expect higher foot traffic, supporting safer behaviour and awareness along the shared route. 

Riverwalk will also connect directly to end-of-trip facilities for the Waterfront Brisbane currently under construction, supporting more people to choose walking and riding as part of their commute when the towers open. 

BQ CEO Matt Burke praised the upgrade and the project’s delivery timeline. 

“While construction has taken over two years, the Riverwalk is re-opening on time and it looks like the finished product is pretty darn good. Well done to the developers to creating and sticking to that vision.” 

Bicycle Queensland will continue advocating for high-quality, safe and connected active transport infrastructure across Brisbane and Queensland, ensuring that shared paths and commuter corridors work well for everyone. 

Categories
Advocacy

Viola Place bikeway delivers safer cycling connections 

On January 27, Brisbane City Council officially opened the Viola Place bikeway. It’s a really important 600-metre shared path connecting Viola Place to Schneider Road near Brisbane Airport. While short in distance, the link fills a long-standing gap in Brisbane’s bike network, providing a safe, off-road alternative to some of the area’s most challenging and traffic-heavy roads. The link has solar lighting for added safety after dark.

Brisbane City Councillor Ryan Murphy said the opening marked the end of a frustratingly long journey for riders and advocates alike. 

“This link was about to be constructed when I became a councillor in 2012 and we’re opening it in 2026,” Cr Murphy said. “This is one of those ones that was caught in development hell between land acquisition, TradeCoast, lawyers, between state government and council.” 

Despite the delays, Cr Murphy said the importance of the connection was always clear, given the tens of thousands of people who work in the airport precinct. “The fact that it’s now open is really satisfying to me. This is one of the most satisfying openings I’ve ever been to, even though it’s a small link.” 

Cr Murphy said the bikeway provides a vital alternative to dangerous on-road routes. 

“People come off the Gateway Bridge and they want to get straight into the airport precinct,” he said. 
“They can’t do it unless they go down Sugar Mill Road, and it’s an extremely dangerous connection. You’ve got trucks, lots of delivery vehicles, because we’ve got some of the big freight companies here.” 

“This just means those cyclists are now safe. They can continue on what is an off-road path, all the way through to the airport precinct, and we know that there’s tens of thousands of people that work at that precinct.” 

Cr Murphy also paid tribute to the persistence of local advocates. 

“We also just thank the advocates who have been so patient, and many of the Bicycle Queensland members have been so patient, waiting for this connection to be here,” he said. 

Bicycle Queensland CEO Matthew Burke, who was at the opening, said “Parts of this route were built many years ago, but only this week is it all starting to stitch together as a bicycle friendly route to the airport precinct.”  

He said “Kudos to Mitch Bright and the Brisbane Airport Bicycle User Group (BUG) for their decades-long advocacy for this network. Congratulations to Council’s project team for completing a tricky project that wasn’t made easy by Queensland Rail and other land owners.” 

Mitch Bright with Andrew Demack
Belinda Ward from Space4Cycling BNE

Prof Burke also highlighted the need for a bike-friendly airport. “People already arrive at Brisbane Airport with bikes and try to ride to the city centre. They find themselves on pretty awful roads straight away. We’re now that bit closer to a safe direct route.” 

For Mitch Bright from the Airport BUG, the opening represents more than a decade of advocacy. 

“The bikeway connecting to the Gateway Bridge was first suggested when the bridge was in planning. The bridge opened in 2010, with no connection,” Mr Bright said. 

He said council funding was committed years ago, but progress stalled. 

“In 2014, the Brisbane City Council determined that this connection … through Viola Place to Schneider Road, was an option that they should pursue,” he said. “In 2019, we still hadn’t seen any action on that, so we started getting active, talking to the local newspapers. In 2021, council announced they’d be building it that year, and then nothing happened, and then, finally, in 2025, we finally got a work order.” 

For riders, the difference is immediate. 

“The alternative is Sugar Mill Road, which is quite heavily trafficked by trucks,” Mr Bright said. “There’s also Nudgee Road, which is a freight route as well.” 

Belinda Ward from Space4Cycling said the link transforms access for riders crossing the Gateway Bridge. 

“It’s a major connector for anyone who comes over the Gateway Bridge,” she said.  “This path, although it’s only short, it cuts out some horrendous pieces of infrastructure.” 

She said the opening also supports changing travel patterns. 
“This suddenly opens up a cheap, safe alternative to get to a lot of workplaces.” 

As Brisbane’s airport and surrounding employment precincts continue to grow, the Viola Place bikeway stands as a reminder that sometimes the most best infrastructure upgrades are the ones that finally connect the major projects. 

Categories
Advocacy

Brisbane City Council still keen to deliver Aspley’s missing bike path 

Bicycle Queensland has reached out to Brisbane City Council about a funded active transport project in Aspley in Brisbane’s north. $5 million in State Government funding was provided to Brisbane City Council in June 2024, but construction has yet to begin. 

The Aspley link goes from Beams Road to Cabbage Tree Creek. It will allow you to ride up and beside the Beams Road overpass, avoiding the dangerous road crossing underneath. It serves a number of transport functions, providing safer access Aspley State High School and to Carseldine rail station.  

Yesterday, Queensland’s Shadow Transport Minister Bart Mellish effectively posed two important questions: Where did the funding go? When will the project proceed? Both the local community and the bicycle community deserve answers to these questions. 

Late Friday our CEO, Matthew Burke, received assurances from the Lord Mayor’s office that Council still wants to build the bikeway.  

It may take us a bit more time to get a fuller picture on the funding agreement and the timing for delivery. We’ll engage with Council and others over the coming weeks and will let the large Northern Brisbane cycling community know more when we have a clear picture.