Pedal into Bike Week 2018

Wheels are spinning across Queensland with this year’s Bike Week set to shift celebrations up a gear.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Leeanne Enoch said the annual week-long festival, organised by Bicycle Queensland, was an excellent way to get more people on their bikes. 

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support Bike Week 2018, the largest cycling festival in Queensland, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to cycle more,” she said.

“Riding a bike is a safe, convenient and enjoyable way to travel, and showing people these benefits is fundamental to boosting cycling numbers in Queensland.”

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said all Queenslanders could get involved.

“Bike Week is a great opportunity to get Queenslanders cycling, together,” she said.

“About 60 per cent of Queensland homes have at least one working bicycle, and one in four households have three or more bikes – demonstrating our close connection to cycling in all its forms.

“Bike Week is a chance for all of us to get our bikes out of the garage and get moving.

“Bike riding is a brilliant way to have fun, get fit, and enjoy the great outdoors – bringing people together to build social harmony.

“Cycling is the perfect combination of individual, social and environmental benefit – it reduces traffic on our roads, raises health and wellbeing, and promotes sustainable development.

“With ongoing and increasing investment in bikeway infrastructure and protected pathways, we can easily make cycling as seamless as car transport in Queensland, expanding the horizons for health and lifestyle across our great state.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was heavily committed to improving cycling infrastructure across the state.

“Where we have invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, we are seeing higher participation levels,” she said.

“That is why the Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $44 million into cycling infrastructure, planning and programs across Queensland in 2017–18 and $241.5 million in total over the next four years.

“In 2017-18 we provided $17 million in funding for local councils to spend on cycling facilities across Queensland under the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program, such as the Western Ipswich Link shared path and Eimeo Road Shared Path Design and Construction in Mackay.

“We also continue to invest millions of dollars delivering world-class facilities like the newly opened section of the Veloway (V1) at Greenslopes.

“And we are working with local governments across Queensland to invest $14 million in the construction of rail trails which will boost cycle tourism in regional areas.

“We know that, on average, every dollar we invest in cycling infrastructure will return nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queensland with improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, and lower transport costs.”

“I commend Bicycle Queensland for organising another fantastic program for Bike Week 2018 and encourage everyone to get involved.”

For more information on cycling in Queensland visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/cycling

To find a Bike Week 2018 event near you, visit www.bikeweekqld.com.au

Media contact: 0447355565