The Queensland Government has announced funding of $315 million over four years to build or expand cycleways and walking paths in various locations across the state.
According to the Government, such ‘active transport’ options are expected to return substantial economic benefits. It says that nearly five dollars is returned for every dollar spent on bike infrastructure, and $13 for walking infrastructure, with the aim being to boost community health, reduce 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,” said the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, 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 investment is part of the $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program from 2024-25 to 2027-28 (QTRIP).
Some of the active transport projects are:
- $36.1 million for a velobridge over Birdwood Road on the Veloway 1 in Greenslopes.
- $22.5 million to fill gaps on the popular Riverwalk at Kangaroo Point, producing an unbroken bike and pedestrian path linking Kangaroo Point and Mowbray Park.
- $41.5 million for the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
- $20 million for a cycleway as part of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads (jointly funded with Gold Coast City Council).
- $10.4 million for improvements to active transport on Moggill Road from the Centenary Motorway to Chapel Hill Road.
- $9.6 million for upgrades to develop a network of bike-friendly streets in South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill.
- $9.4 million towards stage 2 of the New England Highway Bikeway, from Highfields to Toowoomba.
The announcement has been welcomed by transport sector representatives.
“Bicycle Queensland members and the 800,000 Queenslanders who regularly ride a bike all welcome this announcement from the Minister,” said Bicycle Queensland Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack.
“Building bikeways is great value for money for Queensland towns and cities, and we’re keen to see connected, high-quality bikeways built that give people the chance to get to their destinations safely while building their fitness and reducing congestion and carbon emissions.”
“Queensland Walks welcomes investment into walking infrastructure and supporting walking programs, and we encourage government to invest further so that kids can walk safely to school, Queenslanders to work, and to local conveniences,” added Queensland Walks CEO, Anna Campbell.
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So less than 1% of the total $37.4 billion? How about you multiply the budget and the ambition x5 (after all the benefits are significant as you state), and then we’ll take it more seriously.
$315m is 0.84% of the 37.4 billion of roads investment.
This is actually a pitiful portion of the roads funding.
If the cost-benefit of 500% for cycling infrastructure is so good, why not invest more? I can guarantee that widening roads (“induced demand”) doesn’t have anywhere near as good cost-benefit.
This story is framed as good news – However it’s a weak transport decision that locks Queenslanders into driving instead of truly changing behaviours towards daily active travel.