Encouraging more people to ride for fun, sport, fitness and recreation

Overview

Action 2.6: Support cycling-related projects, individuals or groups through programs such as:

• Get Playing Places and Spaces
• Get Planning Spaces
• Young Athletes Travel Subsidy
• Get Started Vouchers
• Get Going Clubs
• Get Out, Get Active
• Female Facilities Program.

Lead agency: Department of Housing and Public Works

Status: Complete

Achievements

Cycling groups, other organisations and individuals across Queensland have been supported to help encourage more people to ride bicycles for fun, sport, fitness and recreation.

The Department of Public Works and Housing committed almost $3 million to support 94 projects that encourage cycling, BMX riding, and mountain biking.

This funding went towards support for athletes travelling to events, repairs following disasters, developing trail networks, equipment and delivery of coaching or participation programs, development of regional strategies to encourage bicycle riding, and building cycling infrastructure.

For example, 445 athletes aged 5–17 years were funded to attend championship events through the Young Athletes Travel Subsidy—including 274 state level, 129 national level, and 42 international level athletes. Almost 330 children, who would otherwise not be able to afford it, were funded to join cycling, mountain biking, and BMX clubs under the Get Started Vouchers program.

Project funding is also going towards minor infrastructure building and repairs to support BMX and mountain biking, building inclusive female change rooms and amenities.

These activities are a great way to promote physical activity, and to get more people of all ages, on their bicycles.

Next steps

There are 14 state, national and international events (6 cycling, 4 BMX, and 4 mountain biking) eligible for applications under the Emerging Athlete Pathways travel subsidy funding. Further cycling infrastructure projects will be completed in the next 12 months, which will be within the context of Activate! Queensland 2019-2029 providing considerable community benefits.