New research helps identify challenges and opportunities to grow bike riding

Overview

Action 5.1: Partner with the Queensland academic sector to research into opportunities and challenges for bicycle riding, including:

• current and future uses of electric bicycles
• short-term infrastructure changes to encourage riding
• economic and community benefits of the North Brisbane Bikeway.

Lead agency: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Status: Complete

Achievements

We partnered with the Queensland academic sector to research opportunities and challenges for bicycle riding.

Working with the Queensland University of Technology, we investigated the barriers and enablers to encourage the use of e-bikes for everyday trips in Queensland, including whether incentives may encourage target groups to start riding or ride more often. 

The research also explored the demographic and geographic differences between the barriers and enablers. For example, the differences between male and female e-bike owner experiences and between e-bike owners residing in Brisbane and in regional locations.

In partnership with Griffith University, we investigated how we might trial short term changes to the built environment to encourage bicycle riding and gain support for permanent changes.

We also researched the community benefits of the North Brisbane Bikeway. As part of this work, we developed a case study and video showcasing the positive impacts of the bikeway.

These partnerships and projects help us make evidence-based decisions and make sure our investments in bike riding infrastructure and programs have positive impacts on our wellbeing and prosperity.

Next steps

The report on e-bike incentives is expected to be published in early-2024.

We will continue to look for opportunities to partner with the Queensland academic sector to better understand the challenges and opportunities to grow bike riding in Queensland.