The Queensland government has committed to a significant expansion and upgrade of the state’s bike routes, as part of a $315 million investment in paths and infrastructure for active transport over the next four years.
The major projects earmarked for completion include a $35.1 million bike bridge over Birdwood Road in the Brisbane suburb of Greenslopes, $22.5 million to plug gaps in the Riverwalk in the suburb of Kangaroo Point and $9.6 million in upgrades to the bike network in South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill.
Outside the capital, projects in the pipeline include $20 million for a cycleway component of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, $9.4 million for stage 2 of the New England Highway Bikeway and $41.5 million for the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, co-funded with the federal government.
According to the Queensland government, every dollar spent on bike infrastructure has a return of nearly $5, through improvements in public health, reduced congestion and lower transport costs.
"Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic and less pollution, and can also mean savings on transport costs,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish.
“It’s not only cheaper than using a car but it’s much better for your health and we think Queenslanders deserve world-class active transport facilities.”
The suite of bike upgrades is being delivered as part of a $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program over the next four years.
While the $315 million investment in active transport dwarfs the $100 million active transport recently announced by the Australian Government, it amounts to less than 1% of the Queensland Government’s investment in transport infrastructure.
The United Nations recommends that governments “put people, not cars” first and dedicate 20% of their transport funding to active transport, as a way of improving road safety and combatting climate change.
In its Federal Budget submission earlier this year, Bicycle Network asked the Australian Government to incrementally increase its investment in active transport to meet the 20% target by 2028.
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