Brisbane cyclists benefit from COVID Works for Queensland funding

Brisbane cyclists can look forward to new and upgraded bikeways in the CBD and Kangaroo Point as well as between Chermside and Aspley in the city’s north and in MacGregor in the city’s south, made possible with the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program.

The program is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $6 billion economic recovery strategy Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.

In announcing the projects, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the positive social and economic impacts would be felt for years to come.

“This program is specifically designed to help councils get their communities back on their feet as quickly as possible and minimise any long-term effects of the pandemic,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“In this case, Brisbane City Council has received $5 million to help get the community back in the saddle and take advantage of the city’s bikeways.

“These new and upgraded bikeways will encourage greater health for the community, and ensure the environment is also healthier with fewer cars on the road.

“It’s a fantastic outcome for the community and the funding is already going a long way to helping stimulate Queensland’s economy and getting people into secure jobs.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said pop-up bikeways in the CBD would enhance Brisbane’s reputation as a bike-friendly city and hopefully encourage more people to ride.

“Brisbane is blessed with excellent riding weather most of the year and both levels of government have strong records of investments in new bike facilities across the city,” Mr Bailey said.

“Paths are being built across Brisbane as part of major roads upgrades and join dedicated bikeways built by both the state and council, like the Palaszczuk Government’s recently opened $45 million Veloway Stage E, but we know more can be done.

“We’ve seen more people than ever before take up bike riding and walking, and it’s absolutely important that we continue to encourage this momentum.

“That’s why earlier this year we approached Council to establish the Active Transport Advisory Committee, so we could regularly meet with cycling and walking groups from across the city and work together on initiatives that can improve safety and encourage more people to ride bikes and walk.”

Brisbane CBD Bicycle User Group (BUG) co-convenor Donald Campbell said safety concerns were the main reason people won’t ride a bike.

“The installation of pop-up- bike lanes in the city will be a huge step in encouraging people aged from eight to eighty to cycle for transport," he said.

"We're delighted with the cooperation between Council and the Queensland Government on these bike lanes, which will help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 situation by encouraging people back into the city.”

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo welcomed the announcement of funding for separated cycleways in Brisbane's CBD.

"For many years, our members who ride to work in Brisbane's CBD have told us that the last 500 metres to their workplace has been the most hazardous,” she said.

“This will be a great step forward to enable more people to ride safely to their place of work or study.

"Bicycle Queensland invested a lot of time, effort and expertise into the proposal we put forward to Brisbane City Council and State Government for these bikeways, so we’re excited to see that investment rewarded in this excellent outcome."

The upgrades include:

• Installing separated bi-directional bikeways in the CBD to provide safe and direct connections for inner-city trips and commuting
• Extending the North Brisbane Bikeway between Chermside and Aspley, including a shared path and on-road bicycle facilities
• Widening the existing pathway between River Terrace and St Vincent’s Hospital at Kangaroo Point
• Installing new lighting fixtures to Bulimba Creek Bikeway between the Veloway V1 and Freesia Street (between Gaillardia Street and Muirfield Street) in MacGregor as well as missing links within the network, improving safety on a key link between two of Brisbane's busiest bikeways

COVID Works for Queensland builds on the successful $600 million Works for Queensland program that has already created or supported more than 19,000 jobs throughout regional Queensland.

Projects are required to be completed by June 2021.

For more information visit: www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/covid-w4q 

Media: 0417 296 116

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