News

Campaigning in Mareeba

11 June 2009

Cyclists in Mareeba are campaigning for a bikeway along the narrow Kennedy Highway south from town, a route identified in the area's Principal Cycle Network Plan as in need of bike facilities.

In the past 20 years, the road has claimed four people, pedestrians and cyclists, as they walk or ride to town. Mareeba is mourning the recent loss of Suzanne Daniels, struck when riding to work.

Tablelanders or North Queensland touring cyclists who ride in the area can contact Tanya Barker on 4092 7400 to help or for more info. Also active in the area, running both racing and social rides as well getting more involved in advocacy are Tableland Cycle Sports. The president is David Prete, ph 0418 878 391.

Coot-tha stats now available

8 April 2009

BQ member and statistics guru Bruce Gray has updated his Coot-tha Challenge spreadsheet to show comparative figures for 2009 and 2008.

You can download it here (567Kb Excel spreadsheet). It shows all sorts of fascinating information. You can find out where your time ranks in percentage terms, check out the graph of all riders in the BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge, which shows how much faster we all rode this year, and much much more. We still don't know what kurtosis is, but you can probably get treatment for it.

The new BQ 'green' jersey has landed

8 April 2009

Bicycle Queensland's new cycling jersey has arrived from SCODY and is now available to members.

Please check SCODY's sizing guide before ordering. Unisex sizes only. Prices (members only): unisex short sleeve $89.00 / unisex long sleeve $99.00. Postage $4 for one or $6 for two.

Gold Coast moves ahead with bike-hire scheme too

30 March 2008

Gold Coast Mayor Run Clarke said his support for a self-service bicycle system has been totally vindicated by Gold Coast City Council endorsement of the project.

Council has authorised Chief Executive Officer Dale Dickson to call for expressions of interest for the establishment of an automated self-service bicycle scheme for the Gold Coast

Cr Clarke said: "A report will be brought back to Council on the outcome, including an assessment of the financial viability of the scheme and ongoing financial obligations that will apply to future budget planning.

"I have always believed in the value of the bike hire scheme, both for the tourism industry and for the local community to enjoy.

"Despite misgivings regarding the degree of vandalism that similar schemes have endured in Paris and Amsterdam, they remain highly successful in 23 of the 28 cities around the world where such schemes have been introduced, including New York City, Portland and Montreal.

"The scheme will operate between Main Beach and Broadbeach."

The Mayor said the funding would provide around 800 auto-locking bicycle racks along the coastal strip at approximately 50 pick-up and drop-off locations. Lighting and connections to off-road bicycle paths in recreation reserves would also be funded.

Brisbane's big day out on the bike

22 March 2008

See the Bike Week site's news section for a story on yesterday's BDO Kendall's Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge and the Great Brisbane Bike Ride.

BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge results

Downloads from this morning's challenge ride:

Congratulations to all who rode today ... you're all winners in our books!

Bicycle Queensland: more cyclists, not more red tape

19 March 2009

Bicycle Queensland is against registration for cyclists, and in favour of removing barriers to increasing participation in cycling.

Today's Courier Mail includes quotes from Ben Wilson, Bicycle Queensland's manager, in an article with the misleading headline: "Shock call to licence cyclists".

Ben said today: "Bicycle Queensland opposes registration for cyclists. It would be a waste of taxpayer's money."

"Adult cyclists who break the law, and who also have driving licences, can be fined, and we support this."

"But what we focus on at Bicycle Queensland is getting more people cycling more often. Bike Week is about encouraging cyclists to get on their bikes."

RACQ says motorists, cyclists should share the road

11 March 2009

Bicycle Queensland has always had a good relationship with the RACQ, even though the two organisations often differ on priorities for infrastructure spending by Governments and councils. Once again this year, BQ welcomes RACQ as a Contributing Sponsor for Bike Week.

And we welcome this media release from the RACQ, which quotes John Wikman (Traffic & Safety manager): "With Bike Week coming up it is timely to remind motorists that they should always be on the look out for cyclists. Our message to drivers is don’t suffer from 'bike blindness' and remember you share the road with cyclists."

Sharing the Goodwill Bridge

26 February 2009

With around 2000 cyclists and 10000 pedestrians crossing a day, the Goodwill Bridge is a busy place, with sensible sharing essential. Periodically there are calls for design changes to improve the behaviour on the bridge. BQ welcomes any feedback from users on what might be done to improve interaction between all users of the Goodwill Bridge. .

BQ welcomes Brisbane CBD speed limit announcement

24 February 2009

At a press conference yesterday, Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said: "We have a strong clear agenda that the Brisbane CBD is really about cyclists and pedestrians. We do want pedestrians and cyclists to have primacy of use in the CBD in the longer term." See ABC News coverage.

BQ president Bill Loveday has applauded the BCC plan to reduce the CBD speed limit to 40kph. "BQ has been advocating for this for 15 years, and it is good to see this safety and amenity improvement come off at last," he said.

"For a very small reduction in speed, the city will be a safer place. With over 100 accidents in the CBD each year, this move will reduce the number, impact and trauma of injury.

"But the city will also be a calmer place. Less noise, less pollution, less aggression and a safer place to cycle are all qualities that this move will bring.

"Currently many people can arrive in the city fringe via bikeways, but then must run the gauntlet of high speed roads to get to their city destination. Now the streets will be safer and less threatening.

"In another 10 years, or hopefully less, BQ believes that speeds will reduce further, as it will soon be recognised that allowing fast moving cars in crowded city streets is not compatible with a modern vibrant city," Mr Loveday said.

Bicycle Queensland supports cycling proposal for jobs, health and congestion beating

13 February 2009

The announcement of a $40 million fund for bikeways in the $42 billion Government stimulus package is a credit to the Government and the Greens for recognising cycling's contribution to our nation, according to Bicycle Queensland Manager Ben Wilson.

"In the tough economic times of the 70s the Dutch Governments made significant allocations to cycling, and the benefits have been paid back many times in a healthy population, less congestion and sustainability," Mr Wilson said.

"The $40 million fund will create approximately 600 jobs, and make a significant contribution to Australians being able to cycle more safely and more often.

"It's a no-brainer. Bike sales are higher than car sales: people have the personal resources to ride but need this package to provide more public infrastructure to cycle at the expense of car-trips.

"This will be a critically important infrastructure package for all Australians," Mr Wilson said.

Mountain bike access to BCC bushland

6 February 2009

Brisbane City Council is currently seeking feedback on how best to manage outdoor recreation within Council managed bushland reserves, particularly mountain bike riding. By completing this survey you can add your voice to BCC's deliberations of the issues surrounding outdoor recreation and mountain bike riding.

The survey will close on 24 April, and results will be released in May 2009.

Brisbane's bike hire: cheapest transport mode around

30 January 2009

Brisbane City Council is leading Australian cities in the charge to provide a low-cost bike-hire scheme for tourists and residents. Bicycle Queensland's Ben Wilson (right, with Brisbane's Lord Mayor Cr Campbell Newman) attended the launch of Brisbane's bike hire scheme in Brisbane Square recently.

Brisbane's bike hire scheme will offer outstanding value for money for anybody who uses it as intended. For a $55 annual subscription fee, the user has the first 30 minutes free. Within the scheme's operating area, bike stations will be available at intervals of 500m or less, so there's no reason ever to hire one of these bikes for more than 30 minutes. If your ride looks like it might take more than 30 minutes, you simply stop at a bike parking station (there are 150 of them!) and change to a new bike. The 30 minute clock is reset, and the bike is still free.

Media outlets around Brisbane for some unknown reason are getting this wilfully wrong. Bicycle Queensland believes this is the cheapest transport mode available other than walking. At $55 per year, that comes out to a daily cost of less than 30 cents to get to work, which is even cheaper than owning your own bike! BQ challenges any media outlet to let us know of a more cost-effective mode of transport.

Bike hire and bike share schemes are taking off in cities around the world. The list on the Bike Sharing blog lists 94 cities around the world (from Aarhus, Denmark to Zaragoza, Spain) where these schemes operate, including several cities (Munich, Berlin, Karlsruhe) that have competitive markets.

And it's not just bike-mad Europe. The following US cities have bike-share or bike-hire schemes underway: Denver, Miami Beach, Philadelphia, with Portland, Chicago and San Francisco on the way.

BQ's big rides just keep getting bigger

18 March 2009

Participation in Bicycle Queensland's events is growing every year at record rates. This Sunday, the second annual BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge will be 36% bigger than the first one, with more than 2200 cyclists taking on the mountain.

The Great Brisbane Bike Ride is also up from last year's event (and we're not finished, as you can still enter the GBBR on the day at South Bank), so all up around 4000 cyclists will take to the streets and bike-paths to celebrate the end of Bike Week on Sunday.

Of course, with our organisational motto (Everyday cycling, every day), Bicycle Queensland loves to see the gains made during special events such as Bike Week translate into more people cycling more often. So if you have dusted off an old bike specially for Bike Week, or bought a new bike to be part of the Family Fun Ride, then maybe it's time to work out the best bike route to work or school, and keep those cycling muscles moving.

Email BQ for free advice about becoming a cycling commuter.

Rider Information Sheets for Sunday now available

17 March 2009

The Rider Information Sheet has vital information for anyone who has entered the BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge, the Great Brisbane Bike Ride, or the Family Fun Ride. All these events will be held on Sunday 22 March, starting from the South Bank Cultural Forecourt.

Download the rider info sheet here. (500Kb PDF)

A link to this sheet has been emailed to all riders entered in the events. Our service provider had some technical issues in delivering this email, so we've made the information available on the web as well.

Coot-tha & pre-event GBBR entries now closed

14 March 2009

Entries have now closed for the 2009 BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge.

Pre-event entries are closed for the Great Brisbane Bike Ride and Family Fun Ride. But you can still enter either of those events on the day, although you won't receive event merchandise. If you're planning to enter on the day, fill in the paper entry form first. It will make things go much quicker on the day.

And there are plenty of other Bike Week events to attend, including Thursday's SCODY Ride to Work Day in Brisbane's CBD. Free breakfast for all who cycle!

Volunteer on the Great Escapade in Australia's South West

14 March 2009

It's not too late to apply to be a volunteer on The West Australian/GWN 2009 Great Escapade, organised by our friends Bicycle Victoria.

Volunteers start at with a welcome dinner in Busselton on Friday 27 March and finish in Margaret River on Sunday 5 April. It's going to be a fantastic week in another world, with around 2000 riders travelling through the magnificent South West of Western Australia. All you have to do is get yourself to Perth airport and book a flight home. During the ride you'll be provided with transport, meals, a volunteer uniform, great experiences, new friends and loads of fun. Contact Kylee Elkington, the Great Escapade Volunteer Coordinator by email (kyleee@bv.com.au) or phone (03) 8636 8831 if you would like to join in. Volunteer application info.

Cycle Queensland: It's a brand new day

6 March 2009

If you have signed up to pedal away from the everyday with us in September, the Cycle Queensland news and updates page has a whole lot of information for you about what's new and wonderful about CQ09. If you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for?

Coot-tha Challenge: its getting exciting

On the Bike Week site, we're investigating in depth the stats from last year's BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge. And there's plenty of speculation about who's doing what in preparation for the big day on Sunday 22 March.

PLUS: If you have entered the Coot-tha Challenge, and want to know where and when to pick up your rider kit, look here.

Join in with Ride 2 School

4 March 2009

Riding to school is a key part of Bike Week and is smart travel!

Schools are encouraged to take up the Ride 2 School challenge and join other Queensland schools that stand to win prizes simply by taking part on Wednesday 25 March 2009.

Hop on board by going to www.ride2school.com.au and join the many Queensland schools already taking part including Banksia Beach SS, Cannon Hill SS, Goondiwindi SHS, Graceville SS, Grand Avenue SS, Harristown SHS, Ingham SHS, Kedron SHS, Kenmore SHS, Kilkivan SS, Mitchelton SHS, Parklands Christian College, Pittsworth SHS, St. Joseph's Primary, St. Mary's Primary , Sunshine Beach SS, Upper Mount Gravatt SS, Virginia SS and Yeppoon SHS.

Campaign to keep bike lanes in Waminda Street, Morningside

29 January 2009

EastBUG campaigned to have bike lanes installed in Waminda Street, Morningside, which is a commuter bike link in Brisbane's eastern suburbs.

These bike lanes have been made usable by the removal of some on-street parking on Waminda Street.

EastBUG needs the support of all cyclists who ride through this area to make sure that the newly-installed bike lanes stay there. See EastBUG's campaigns page for more, or go straight to the online petition.

Bus vs bike, in cartoons

24 January 2009

Stuart McMillen's commuter experiences, in cartoon form. Now that's some innovative advocacy.

Riverside Drive about to close to cycling

22 January 2009

Brisbane City Council have this week placed signage indicating cycling upstream of Victoria Street will close shortly for construction of the first section of changing this road into park, closing in mid-February.

BQ is very concerned that the proposed 4-metre bikeway will not be safe or wide enough for the current or expected volume of cyclists, especially as unit development in that area is to vastly swell the population, all within an easy flat bike ride of the city.

BQ does not want to see Riverside Drive parkway having the same on-going problems of the Bicentennial bikeway beside Coronation Drive, with its narrowness creating problems for all users.

BQ believes a 6-metre veloway is critical, and anything less will compromise safety and participation in cycling.

Riders need to contact their local Brisbane City Councillor to let them know of this issue. This veloway should be world class - not a skinny laneway.

Bicycle Queensland 2009 AGM

21 January 2009

Bicycle Queensland’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 4 March 2009 starting at 7pm at Souths Leagues Club, Jane Street, West End.

All members are welcome to attend. Nominations for Management Committee positions close at 5pm on Wednesday 18 February 2009, 14 days before the meeting, and will be displayed at the office of Bicycle Queensland.

See the 2009 AGM page on this website for more details, nomination forms and proxy voting forms.

Entries now open for Coot-tha Challenge & Great Brisbane Bike Ride

20 January 2009

Check out the jam-packed Program for Bike Week 2009, sign up for the BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge or the Great Brisbane Bike Ride. It's all available now on BQ's Bike Week sub-site.

Have your say on Gold Coast bikeways

Gold Coast City Council's draft Bikeway Network Operational Plan is still available on the GCCC website. The objective of the Plan is to provide a comprehensive bicycle network throughout the city. An improved bicycle network will offer a feasible and safe transport alternative and improve recreational opportunities for the residents and visitors of the Gold Coast City.

Gold Coast City Council seeks your comments, suggestions and most importantly public support for cycling facilities to ensure the bikeway network continues to be improved.

The perfect gift anytime!

bike_bible (8K) The Bike Bible is a new book edited by Ride On magazine guru Simon Vincett and published by Bicycle Victoria. As the name implies, it covers everything you need to know about cycling, especially if you (or a friend or relative or child or grand-child) are just getting into bike riding. There's plenty of Queensland content as well, so don't be put off by the fact that it comes out of Victoria. Buy it today at BV's online store.

Tennyson: new riverside road opens

The road extending King Arthur Terrace from the Softstone Street roundabout past the new Queensland Tennis Centre and out to Fairfield Road is open.

In the email received by BQ, the project managers (Mirvac) comment:

"When the road opens, it is important to note it is a slow speed environment with extensive traffic calming measures in place. It will remain the main access to the Tennyson Reach construction site with a significant amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There are also minor works still being undertaken in the Queensland Tennis Centre.

"Mirvac has included discussions about this issue in its site safety talks so that on-site workers are aware of the potential conflicts."

Strategic plan

24 November 2008

The BQ Strategic Plan is now out of draft. Bicycle Queensland is looking to raise our gaze to longer term, national and strategic alliances with the Bicycle Coalition (constituted of the peak membership cycling bodies of four states, Bicycle Victoria, Bicycle NSW, Bicycle South Australia, and Bicycle Queensland). Therefore, Bicycle Queensland is in consultation with Bicycle Victoria so that we can use the same vision statement: "More People Cycling More Often."

As we move towards national events and cycling promotion activities, and develop a national cycling presence it makes sense that the cycling world presents a consistent message to the Australian community. Bicycle Queensland of course remains an independent organisation, but is happy to support and learn from our colleagues across state borders.

Bill Loveday, BQ President

BQ sets calendar for 2009

Bicycle Queensland today announced the dates for its 2009 events.

14-22 March 2009: Bike Week.
22 March 2009. The Great Brisbane Bike Ride and the BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge.
5-13 September 2009. Cycle Queensland.
11 October 2009. The Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge.

Details of Cycle Queensland and Bike Week will be available soon on the sub-sections of this website.

Slow down Brisbane's CBD

Bicycle Queensland has long advocated a slower speed limit for traffic in the CBD. Interest is gathering momentum, with the city wanting to claw back its amenability, so safer cycling is important in this.

BQ has submitted that calming the speed of traffic in the CBD will make negligible difference to motor-traffic accessibility but is a great help for cycle safety.

BQ invites members to express their desire to make our CBD a more inviting place to cycle, and to walk, shop and recreate by slowing traffic down to a reasonable level of the proposed 40kph.

Brisbane City Council has a feedback page on this issue. It's titled "Pedestrian Safety in Brisbane's City Centre". Go and take the online survey.

Riding Mt Coot-tha and safety

Mt Coot-tha has long been a popular hill-training ride venue for Brisbane cyclists, and with the state government's construction starting of a new cycle link over Centenary Highway (to avoid the dangerous Mt Coot-tha roundabouts) more people may be venturing up the hill.

BQ supports unrestricted access to Mt Coot-tha, as it is a fantastic scenic asset to Brisbane and cyclists like to train there.

But BQ does advise against descending the hill down the 'back way' - that's clockwise from the ABC and Channel 10 towers down to Simpsons Road.

Why? Here are some reasons:

It is steep, and hard to stay within the speed limit of 50kph.
It has blind corners.
The risk of the unexpected - from rocks to scrub-turkeys on the road - is real.
With cyclists travelling up the hill at about 10 kph and the narrowness of the road, it is likely that cars overtaking cyclists will be very close to the centre line, so a momentary mistake by a cyclist that puts them on or over the centreline can have dire consequences.
The risk of brake failure or hand fatigue for less experienced cyclists is a possibility.
There are walkers on the road - bushwalkers and joggers often can be on the road or either side of the road (whether they should be or not!) It happens.
There is motor traffic! The road is the access for hundreds of employees of the TV stations, the Summit Restaurant and a host of general park users. Most drive courteously, but mistakes or impatience can happen.

Thus BQ strongly recommends all cyclists:

a. Only climb (don't descend) in an anti-clockwise direction on the 'back' of the Coot-tha (the steep section from Simpsons Rd to Channel 10

and

b. If doing repetitions (multiple "up and backs") or if just doing the Coot-tha for fun, then use the 'front' side - take the first left when coming up from the Botanic Gardens and continue up to the Summit Restaurant or further along the ridge to the official high point just before Channel 10 - but not down from there.

Want to do some riding in NSW? Grab the Escapade

Join Bicycle NSW in the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley on a cycling adventure from 29 March to 10 April 2008!

They've cooked up a fantastic Escapade for you - with a thrilling downhill, stacks of coffee shops and food stores, some wineries, forests, National Parks ... coastline too! There are three options - so you can choose your own adventure between 29 March and 10 April 2008:

Great Escapade - Blue Mountains to the Hunter Valley (13 days)
Great Escapade – The Tablelands Way (8 days)
Grape Escapade – Taste the Hunter Valley (5 days)

It's a multi-day, fully supported bike riding holiday, already featuring over 1000 riders, so get on line and book by next Friday (7 March 2008) when ride entries close. For more info jump onto http://www.bv.com.au/great-rides/40354/

Council Elections

Queensland's council elections happen on Saturday 15 March.

BQ suggests people throughout Queensland who care about cycling ask their local council candidates "What will you do for cycling?" and consider their response when you make up your mind in these important elections.

BQ is greatly encouraged by the commitments by some council mayoral candidates. In Brisbane, incumbent Lord Mayor Campbell Newman followed on the Green's earlier pledge of $40m pa with a promise of $100 million over the four year term of the council - up from the current spending of $7m pa. Labor have yet to respond, but BQ is greatly encouraged by these commitments. Safer and easier cycling will be the winner, for all.

Here's the coverage in local news websites:

The Courier Mail says: Campbell Newman pledges bike path funding boost.
The Brisbane Times says: On your bikes, Brisbane!

Earlier, the Greens had announced their cycling policy, which also promised a funding boost for cycling infrastructure.

Bike Week events are online!

The new BDO Kendalls Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge is the fabulous new headline event for Bike Week 2008. See our Bike Week event pages for more information. Sign up for the Coot-tha, or do the Great Brisbane Bike Ride. Plus you can participate in the womens' ride, ride to work with a free breakfast in Brisbane's CBD, mountain biking, road racing, leisure rides, a fantastic feature film, and an evening with six-time Tour de France rider Stephen Hodge.

BQ's draft strategic plan

BQ's draft strategic plan (PDF) is presented to members in a simplified form for consideration and comment.

A year-long process has looked at our current strategic plan (1998), plans of similar interstate groups, consulted with stakeholders, the BQ executive, staff and various members, resulting in much analysis of what BQ does and where it is going.

Sustained well-managed growth in BQ has seen it in a strong position with excellent membership growth (currently 7,000 members with 20% growth per annum), a sound financial base with high-profile successful events and a prominent position in government and community. BQ is recognised as the key cycling advocacy organisation in Queensland.

The strategic review process over the last year has been led by BQ's President Bill Loveday and the executive committee of BQ, with direction from an external consultant.

BQ consistently receives feedback from its membership through formal and informal channels, and values member feedback. Members are invited to provide feedback - please email with your comments.

Draft Brisbane Valley Rail Trail plan released

Stirling Hinchliffe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, said the $3.6 million Brisbane Valley Rail Trail signals a new life for the disused train corridor between Blackbutt and Ipswich.

"The 148 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will create a picturesque safe haven away from our busy highways for horse riders, mountain bikers and hikers," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"But before we steam too far down the line we're asking for public feedback on the timing and construction of further stages."

Esk Mayor Graeme Lehmann said his council was proud to be a partner in the creation of a key piece of recreational infrastructure for the Brisbane Valley.

"The Rail Trail will be a wonderful asset for the entire Brisbane Valley community and visitors alike.

"Ultimately it will re-connect towns and villages along the old railway corridor," Cr Lehmann said.

According to the draft plan, the trail will be built in stages, and completed around 2012.

The Rail Trail plan can be downloaded from the State Government's Office of Urban Management website. Comments are requested by 31 January 2008.

Fraser Coast BUG encourages female cyclists

In early 2008 Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group will run a "Revolutionary Women's Program" to encourage women to get back onto their bikes, and improve their cycling proficiency.

FC BUG president David Jurss emailed BQ with the details. The program concentrates on the fun of cycling. It will be presented by local Level 2 Coach, Jenny Strack who brings her experience and expertise with athletes at all levels of skill and fitness. It will be held over nine weeks beginning on 8 March and will include balance and bike skills; bike set-up; techniques and skill development; care of your bike; and nutrition for increased energy output.

Classes will be held in Hervey Bay and Maryborough and will culminate in a week-end of cycling from the Burrum River to the mouth of the Mary River in mid-May 2008.

Keep an eye on Fraser Coast BUG's website for more details.

47 rides around SEQ in new book

BQ now has stock of the new book "Where to Ride: South East Queensland", at the special members' price of $24. The book covers riding on- and off-road around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. The book was written by Ian Melvin, now working as a Development Officer for Cycling Queensland, and published by Bicycle Lane, the book-publishing arm of Bicycling Australia magazine. Check it out in the BQ Shop.

What's red and "green" and ridden all over?

red_bridge (42K)

The re-opened Logan River Bridge at Logan River Parklands, just next to the M1 north of Beenleigh now provides a good link for cyclists and pedestrians from Loganholme to Beenleigh. Known by all as the "red bridge" it was opened on 29 November. Full story coming in the next Queensland Cyclist. Image courtesy of Gold Coast City Council.

Brisbane Mayor proposes public bike scheme

Free bike rides could become commonplace in Brisbane, under a proposal by Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

Public bike hire schemes are already in operation in major European cities and Cr Newman said it was time the concept was explored in Brisbane.

"As we move forward, I see bicycles playing a larger part in our efforts to deal with traffic congestion,'' he said.

"Cycling is not only an easy way to get around, it's also a healthy alternative that doesn't create any greenhouse gases.''

BQ Manager Ben Wilson welcomed the Lord Mayor's bike pool scheme as potentially a great transport and tourism feature for Brisbane. "Creating more options for using bikes is a good idea, and Brisbane will be a better city for this,'' he said.

Text of the full press release. And the Courier-Mail's coverage.

Eagle St riverwalk closure

Brisbane City Council has advised BQ that the riverwalk shared bikeway, between Eagle Street Pier and City Botanic Gardens is closed for repairs and a safety audit. Cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured along the pathways of Charlotte Street and Edward Street. There may be some extra traffic experienced in the surrounding areas with subsequent road closures along Felix, Margaret and Eagle Streets.

Gold Coast boldly goes where no council has gone before

Gold Coast City Council has begun a planning process called "Bold Future". And it needs cyclists to contribute to making the Gold Coast a better place to live and ride.

To quote from the website, "Bold Future is one of the most exciting projects ever undertaken on the Gold Coast, will develop a blueprint for our city until 2037. Bold Future is a 30-year road trip – and residents are being handed the wheel." So let's ensure that Gold Coast residents can take their road trips by bicycle as well.

Main Roads policy on the web

The Queensland Government Department for Main Roads has recently revamped its website, and now includes a page titled Information for Cyclists. On that page is a link to the policy document "Cycling on State-Controlled Roads", which sets out Main Roads' stated commitment to growing cycling as a transport mode and making it safer. This is a document which all cycling advocates should download and read.

Announcement: Bicycle Coalition

It is very exciting to be able to announce the birth of the Bicycle Coalition.

For a number of years the member-based bike-riding organisations in Australia have jointly supported the national roll out of the Ride to Work and Ride2School projects. Now the four largest groups have come together to form the Bicycle Coalition in order to advance the number of shared initiatives.

Member groups

The member groups are different: we work in different political contexts and our bike riding peaks are in different months. Organisationally we have different histories; we see different opportunities; we have different strengths and different priorities.

These differences are outweighed, however, by what we share. We share the aim of trying to convince people that ‘Life is better on a bike!’ We use similar methods - relying on support from members and riders who will pay to come on a ride. We have broadly similar strategies and celebrate the same sort of successes.

Working together

The member groups that make up the Coalition have a combined membership of over 60 000 and are in contact with a quarter of a million bike riders across Australia.

We know that through frequent communication and regular meetings we can establish and extend a base of agreement about bike riding issues; present common positions to government, community and business; develop shared intellectual property and develop shared ventures and initiatives.

We believe that the work of the Coalition will significantly enhance the ability of each group to achieve its purpose.

Initiatives

The Coalition has already identified a number of initiatives that we can unanimously endorse. We have also developed a list of initiatives that we think can be added to that list. These initiatives and potential initiatives are listed, along with the Charter of the coalition on this website which you can reach through www.bicyclecoalition.com.au.

Your views

We would be interested to hear your views. You may want to suggest some issues that would be appropriate to address as a Coalition. Please contact us

Alex Unwin, Bicycle NSW
Ben Wilson, Bicycle Queensland
Christian Haag, Bicycle South Australia
Harry Barber, Bicycle Victoria

When magpies attack ...

Magpie season is here, and BQ has begun to hear about active magpies, particularly in the metro area. We have started to pinpoint the location of these magpies on a Google map. Check it out on the Hazards page of this site. And please let us know of swooping magpies in your area.

The most reported swoopers are in-bound on Kelvin Grove Road at Herston, the Torwood St magpie at Milton, and the corner of Toombul and Nudgee Roads at Nundah. The Herston magpie especially is named as persistently swooping riders who are going up a long slow hill.

Some riders report that a couple of large cable ties pointing up from your helmet prevents the magpies from getting too close to you (if you don't mind the 'My Favourite Martian' look).

Popular cycle route to become a meandering pathway?

BQ supports a world-class bikeway through the proposed park along what is currently known as Riverside Drive at West End. This road will cease to exist in the West End Riverside Parks Masterplan.

The Riverside section also is part of Brisbane's iconic River Ride - the 10, 20 or 30 km loops around Brisbane that showcases the natural beauty of Brisbane and its river. To lose this section significantly diminishes an internationally known cycling route of real class.

BCC's 2006 West End Riverside Parks Masterplan (379kb PDF) recognises the need for a good bikeway and the plan states that a 4 to 5 metre bikeway should be built. BQ argues that with the current usage, and more importantly with the 10,000 extra residents who will be living along this route in the next 10 years - nothing but a quality, direct cycle facility will do to encourage residents to cycle to the city. The Goodwill Bridge for instance is 6.5 metres wide.

BQ believes a quality, direct 6-metre bikeway (half the current road reserve) is the best way forward. It will be used then more safely and connect with other off-road bikeways downstream to Kangaroo Point and New Farm (strengthening the state government's recent Smart Cities proposal.)

BQ does not believe that a narrow or winding bikepath is an acceptable or safer option. In fact evidence shows cyclists are more likely to have accidents in these situations. Effectively closing this section, with a less than adequate facility, will be a retrograde step for cycling and bad for Brisbane's transport equation.

In fact, a 3-metre winding track would simply encourage cyclists to use the relatively straight pedestrian pathway beside the river! A poor outcome.

BQ suggests:

that a 6 metre bikeway be installed - replacing the current 12.8m road reserve (currently bitumen and gravel)
the bikeway be coloured concrete (sand or beige) to better blend in to the natural environment
the bikeway be positioned hard along the eastern property boundaries, which will keep the rest of the parkway for walking, picnics etc.

Thank you to those that provided a submission to Council about the West End Riverside Parks Masterplan. Community feedback submissions closed on 7 September 2007, and the first planning stage for Masterplan Actions will begin in 2008.

For more information, or to download the West End Riverside Parks Masterplan Planning Scheme Policy documents, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for "West End Parks".

More boardwalk repairs

The timber bridge which connects the Eagle St boardwalk with the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane's CBD was temporarily closed for repairs, Monday 20/8/07 to Saturday 25/8/07. All the wooden planks across the bridge were scheduled to be replaced.

The work happened between 8 am and 4.30pm and the bridge was be open during peak commuting times. While the works were being undertaken, a detour was be in place guiding cyclists from the Eagle St boardwalk along Margaret St and Edward St to the Botanical Gardens.

Eagle St boardwalk
Aerial photo shows the bridge in question.

ALSO:

Repairs to the City Reach boardwalk were be carried out on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 August 2007.

The location of the works was on the boardwalk adjacent to 145 Eagle Street and 32 Macrossan Street between 8pm and 4am. Enquiries about this work should be directed to the Port of Brisbane on 07 3258 4888.

UK cycling promotion on YouTube

Following on from Governments in Australia promoting cycling as part of the solution to our planet's climate change woes, here's a advertisement that UK cycling groups have produced.

Climate change opens door for cycling

With Governments becoming more aware of climate-change issues in recent times, there is an increase in public profile of cycling for transport. Here are some of the initiatives BQ has noticed just lately:

The Queensland Government has just launched a website on ClimateSmart Living. Here's a short quote from the 'Your Travel' page of that site: "Most of us have become dependent on a car, but driving less doesn't mean you have to stay at home. Can you walk or cycle instead of driving to the gym, pool or park? Can you travel to weekend sport by car-pooling or using public transport? Can you commute by public transport or car-pooling?"
The Victorian Government's "Sustainability Victoria" agency funded the new ABC TV series Carbon Cops, which is presently going to air at 8pm on Tuesday evenings. Cycling often features on this show as a major solution in reducing carbon emissions from using motor vehicles to get to work or shops.
The Queensland Government has released a report from its Smart State Council, titled "Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre" about how to transform Brisbane into a city that is better suited to "active transport" modes, i.e. walking and cycling.

[Posted 19 July 2007]

Single file on Port roads, bunch rides discouraged

The Port of Brisbane Corporation has issued a notice to cyclists that they must "ride only one abreast on all roads within the Port area". We think they mean single file. The designated area starts at the corner of Port Drive and Tanker St, and extends all the way around the Port, including Captain Bishop Bridge.

Also, cyclists must not "undertake speed trials, time trials, road races or any other form of competitive cycling on roads within the Port area". BQ believes this is also aimed at bunch rides, which might be interpreted as competitive, even when proceeding single file.

The Port of Brisbane Corporation advises that failure to comply with this notice is an offence which carries a maximum penalty of $1875. [Posted 22 June 07]

New edition of classic MTB book available

Where to Mountain Bike Gillian Duncan and the Gap Creek Trails Alliance have produced the third edition of "Where to Mountain Bike in South-East Queensland". This book is a must-have for anyone who rides off-road in the greater Brisbane area. It shows every legal trail in SEQ (even some in northern NSW) and gives details on who manages the various parks and forests that are open for mountain biking. Available now from Bicycle Queensland ($16/$20), and bike shops that specialise in mountain bike gear.

Eagle has landed

Bicycle Queensland has been advised that cyclists won't be banned from the Eagle St boardwalk, as good sense has prevailed. This is a tight and busy link in the Brisbane bike network, and BQ does urge all riders to go slow and be patient, as the vast majority of considerate users do. We will work to see improvements made to this link - with opportunities taken to remove some obstacles (planter boxes etc) and have this bike link enhanced.

Mt Coot-tha to stay 'as you are'

After consideration by Brisbane City Council and input from many, the popular Mt Coot-tha training loop (Sir Samuel Griffith Drive) will stay "as is". Plans for a one-way system were shelved due to cost, accessibility and safety concerns.

Bicycle Queensland does urge cyclists to respect the need for drivers (especially employees of the television stations) and to be considerate and allow overtaking whenever possible, but also urges drivers to not pass recklessly or be impatient on this popular cycling route. BQ will ask for signage to raise awareness that cyclists are to be expected on this key cycle training route.

Normanby gets a bonus

For ten years BQ has lobbied for the Normanby bike link to Roma Street Parklands under busy College Rd, and it is progressing on schedule for a mid-year opening.

More good news is that a southern link, giving direct passage from the bikeway to the southern side of College Road will go ahead as part of this project. This will improve access for riders leaving the City wanting to get to Petrie Terrace, Red Hill and suburbs beyond. Good work Queensland Transport for delivering this project.

Review of Rules of Association

Progress is being made toward a new set of Rules of Association for BQ. Much work has already been done, and the BQ Management Committee has established a sub-committee to capitalise upon that work and bring it to fruition. [more ...]