Bicycle Queensland and Infrastructure 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. It carries regular updates on many projects in Qld.
South-East Queensland, with its massive population base and growth, is at the forefront of transport challenges in Queensland. There is much happening, but much to do.
Cutting the divide of Brisbane
February 2010
The wide meandering Brisbane River is a challenge for cycling in Brisbane as it needs bike-friendly crossings. 10 years ago, none existed. 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 identifies the major future significant project for Brisbane is a new 'green' bridge 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 people on bikes and on foot, and even buses or a light rail if it includes public transport.
A major projects snapshot follows:
The Eleanor Schonell Green Bridge
This provides connection between UQ and the southside, and to the city with bike lanes along Annerley Road (mostly good, but some sub-standard sections) and Stanley Street to South Bank. (The city via the Goodwill Bridge.) It has proved a great addition in the Brisbane cycling network, and it's a wait and see how Annerley Road's connection to the Mater can be improved; with a wide pathway along Annerley Road the immediately needed option.
O'Keefe St and the PA Hospital to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge
The completed O'Keefe St flyover into the PA Hospital, links the SE Freeway bikeway with a new bikeway behind the PA site through to Annerley Road and the University of Qld. The link on Annerley Road is a sub-standard connection - awaiting some $$ for an upgrade of the footpath to accommodate a quality bikeway.
The Go Between Bridge
This soon to be completed bridge will provide a new and very handy cycle link between south and north: South Brisbane and Milton. As well as connecting to the Bicentennial Bikeway, the bridge's bikeway will run to within a stone's through of Lang Park, where the concourse link through to Caxton Street gives a long needed link between southside's bikeways and the inner north/north-west.
The Gateway (under construction)
This magnificent project is close to completion - and while the deck arrangement is still a partial mystery (sharing space allocation between cyclists and pedestrians) it is eagerly awaited - as it will provide the only cross-river link down stream of the city Story Bridge. It will prove immediately popular for cycling, but work is required to link it to both the south and particularly the north through the airport and trade coast vicinity to the Kedron Brook bikeway 'ribs'. Due to completion 2011 but possibly earlier.
Houghton Highway (under construction)
Another huge project - the new Houghton Highway Bridge connection from Sandgate to Redcliffe includes a 4 metre bikeway that will replace the much loved but dilapidated Hornibrook Bridge across the same span of water - another key part of the Moreton Bay Cycleway is under construction. Due for completion 2011.
Kurilpa Bridge
Joining the CBD from Tank Street to the southside and GOMA, this bridge links to Brisbane's only Copenhagen bikeway providing a segregated contraflow link to George St and importantly provides a reasonable connection through to Roma St Parklands - giving an off-road route directly to the RBWH hospital and northern suburbs. While some more work is required on this connection - it is a new major north-south spine for cycling in Brisbane.
Mt Coot-tha Flyover
A great cycle and pedestrian link between the Western Freeway bikeway and the popular Mt Coot-tha scenic roads, MTB tracks and walking circuits. The bridge is up and running - although under threat from the proposed Northern link tunnel - with access likely to be disrupted if that project goes ahead.
Tunnels And Cycling
BQ believes that cycling should be catered for in all urban transport projects. Thus for tunnels where cycling is likely not allowed, 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. Tunnels afford a benefit to sustainable transport if this option is taken up.
During construction, cycling invariably suffers for major projects - which is regrettably as it disrupts the adoption of cycling as a transport option when commuters have no viable other route available to them apart from near construction sites. Better safe access during construction is critical to safety and cycling.
On-going
The inner northside cycling links remains problematic. Clem 7 is nearly complete, but the extension of the tunnel to the Airport and the extension of the Northern Busway leaves clouds over the outcomes for cycling in the medium and long term. A clear northern bikeway spine is needed from the RBWH outbound in the same corridor as eh tunnel extension, through to the Kedron Brook bikeway
M1 Bikeway
Eventually fully linking the Gold Coast and Brisbane - BQ is pleased with the on-going bikeway developments along this corridor. The outer southern connections are getting most attention with the tighter inner-southern connections being upgraded or on the drawing boards to be. Sadly, a great opportunity was lost with the South East Busway - where a bikeway was designed and even partially built, but then cut from the project due to a lack of commitment and money. Today, the project is just as important to be finished, even though it will cost far more now than it would've back in late 90s. A great project awaits a government with commitment and vision - state or federal.
Eastern Busway
The Eastern corridor is one of the worst levels-of-service for cyclists, and the Eastern busway has provided little on a linear desire line for cycling. As the road corridors are very constrained, and the busway offers little, a series of bicycle boulevards on parallel streets may be the best option to connect the east of Brisbane to the city. Planning is the first step - and needs to happen.
Regional Planning and projects
Regional Queensland has some of the highest cycling rates in Australia - a behaviour that needs to be maintained in the face of strong regional traffic growth and changes in city business districts.
BQ supports pro-active integration of cycling projects in Main Roads corridors, and the development of regional cycling plans in advance to have an identified blueprint for cycling in advance of the rapid growth of roads which has often previously left cycling in its wake.
Railtrails
BQ strongly 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. The Brisbane Valley Railtrail (Ipswich to Yarraman) is developing as a major recreational and tourist attraction with current state government support of $6m, but needs federal, state and council combined funding.
Bethania to Beaudesert - consultation is underway on this section, as is Boonah to Ipswich. Many others are sitting in the wings: Caboolture to Wamuran corridor; Coolum to Nambour; Hervey Bay to Maryborough; Atherton Tablelands (Tolga to Yungaburra with potential to extend to Millaa Millaa) and the Capricorn Coast Railtrail Rockhampton to Yeppoon.
Main Roads
BQ strongly supports 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, the major links in 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.