Bicycle Queensland and Advocacy
The Queensland Cyclist is the primary voice of BQ on cycling issues in Queensland. Members receive this, together with the Australian Cyclist magazine, for free, as part of their membership.
A Snapshot of Some Current Advocacy Issues:
Members may contact BQ for further information on these issues. This page last updated on January 16, 2007.
Green Bridges for Brisbane
The Brisbane River is a challenge for cycling in Brisbane as it has few bike-friendly crossings. The Jack Pesch (Indooroopilly) and Goodwill Bridges greatly improved cycle accessibility across the river, but more is needed to increase cycling's share of all trips.
BQ supports the Eleanor Schonell Green Bridge for the excellent cycling connection it offers to the University of Qld. While some small issues should have been done better, this has been an excellent project for cycling in Brisbane and a credit to the Brisbane City Council.
BQ strongly supports another Green Bridge for Brisbane linking Bulimba/Hawthorne to Teneriffe/New Farm. This would ease traffic congestion to the CBD and the eastern Brisbane suburbs by providing a great link for buses, pedestrian and cyclists.
Boggo Road site bike link: O'Keefe Street to UQ
The need for a bikeway link from Stones Corner to the new Eleanor Schonell green bridge is critical. The University of Queensland is the second biggest traffic generator in Brisbane and a key link for transport and recreational cycling.
The proposed Eastern Busway through the Boggo Road Urban Village site offers this link. BQ is working with Queensland Transport planning a good bike facility through this area and is hopeful that Queensland Transport will announce a new link in 2007.
Hale Street Bridge
Bicycle Qld has stated that the bridge, if and only if it goes ahead, should provide a well-integrated cycle link. While a cycle link has been included as part of the bridge, BQ is concerned that the integration into the local streets on both sides is inadequate and more work is needed to improve accessibility and safety. Further, there have been some serious misquotes by Brisbane City Council of BQ's position in regard to the bridge. Members may contact BQ for its formal submissions on this project.
Tunnels And Cycling
BQ has stated from the outset that cycling is a transport option that must be included in all urban transport projects. As cyclists are not likely to be allowed in the council's proposed tunnels, BQ maintains that the existing roads adjacent to the tunnels need to be improved for cycling safety as part of the traffic reduction on 'above-ground' roads that the tunnels offer. BQ has stated this position to the BCC and in submissions regarding the tunnels.
BQ is concerned that the next few years of tunnel construction will sever cycling connections. BQ is actively involved in negotiations with the project teams to ensure the best possible outcome for cyclists are achieved. Key cycle routes on both the northern and southern bikeways have been drastically effected, with substandard alternate routes being provided.
South East Transit Busway
BQ remains disappointed on the lack of delivery of the designed and partially constructed South East Transit Bikeway beside the SET Busway. The Busway was built, but not the designed bikeway. BQ is lobbying for this project to be built, and is hopeful that the new funding for cycling announced by the Premier and Transport Minister in the 2005 SEQ Regional Infrastructure Plan may allow this to be done progressively in coming years.
Eastern Busway
BQ is actively seeking improvements for cycling as part of major Busway projects. The Eastern Busway corridor is also important for cycling, and lobbying the project team to provide for cycling in this corridor is on-going.
CBD Bike Parking
BQ supports the QT and BCC's announced bicycle parking centre in the King George Square redevelopment. It has been promised by both the previous Labor council and the new Lord Mayor. Construction of the new Inner Northern Busway link has promised positive delivery of this project.
Railtrails
BQ supports and lobbies for suitable disused rail corridors to be converted to rail-trails, for use by cyclists, hikers and horse riders. Regional Queensland offers fantastic opportunities for recreational trails (eg The Brisbane Valley Railway (Ipswich to Nanango), Caboolture to Wamuran corridor, Coolum to Nambour, and through Hervey Bay to Maryborough.
Cycling on State Controlled or Main Roads
BQ welcomes the 2004 Main Roads policy of providing for cycling on state controlled roads. Regional Qld particularly has many state controlled roads as their main streets and linking their communities. Often these haven't provided for safe cycling. BQ encourages members and BUGs in regional Qld to watch for opportunities where roads owned by the state government are being upgraded particularly, so that provision for cycling can be included.
BQ has many more issues than this 'on its books.' Members are invited to contact BQ with issues that they see as important for cycling to help BQ organise its strategy of making cycling an everyday activity for more people.