No bike helmets during Games: Cycling’s wish list for Brisbane 2032
Brisbane has been urged to follow the lead of fellow Olympic city Paris by investing in cycling infrastructure and, at least for the Games, relaxing helmet laws.
Cycling groups want better infrastructure in time for the Brisbane 2032 Games.Credit: Dan Peled
Queensland should relax its helmet laws for the duration of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a coalition of local bicycle users’ groups has argued to the 100-day review into Games planning.
Space for Cycling Brisbane, representing six cycling groups across the city, and peak cycling advocacy group Bicycle Queensland have both argued for better infrastructure for the Games and beyond.
But Space for Cycling’s proposal to temporarily lift Queensland’s helmet laws was bound to promote the most discussion.
Helmets have been compulsory for Queensland cyclists since July 1, 1991. Failure to wear a helmet can result in a $161 fine.
“The Queensland government should consider relaxing mandatory helmet laws during the Games in order to accommodate the thousands of international visitors [including athletes and officials] who are used to cycling safely in their home cities without the requirement to wear a helmet,” Space for Cycling Brisbane says in its submission.
“Mandatory helmet laws in Australia give the impression that cycling here is uniquely dangerous, and broadcasting that message around the world during the Games could potentially discourage tourists and international students seeking a relaxed and comfortable experience.”
Space for Cycling spokeswoman Belinda Ward said Australia’s presentation of a relaxed, safe lifestyle was at odds with the helmet messaging.
And it was a long way from the cycling experience in most places across the globe.
“The way that people think about cycling in Australia is as a sport for which you should wear a helmet, and not just as something you do to get down to the local shops, to get around, to get to school,” Ward said.
“By telling international travellers who come here that they need to wear a helmet, suddenly they’re going ‘well, I ride around without a helmet at home’.
“Like, what’s uniquely dangerous about Australia? That an incredibly safe activity at home is really dangerous here, and it’s actually not.”
Cycling in Paris, sans helmet.Credit: Getty Images
It was a call Bicycle Queensland would not back, although chief executive Alton Twine understood Space for Cycling’s reasoning.
“I guess it’s up to them to make that call,” he said.
“We’re not going to suggest anything which is at odds with current legislation.
“I can see why they’re doing it. They’re doing it because back in the day when helmets were introduced, the very introduction of helmets saw a rapid decline in cycling because it became a barrier for people.”
Helmets aside, BQ and Space for Cycling were in tandem with their submissions to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s review of Olympic infrastructure and planning.
Central to Bicycle Queensland’s submission are “smart spines” – wide, tree-lined and digitally enabled active transport boulevards between venues, accommodation centres and other city landmarks.
“What we’ve called for is a really big network – complete the network between the venues and across south-east Queensland so people can walk, scoot or cycle to the Games, not having to have a multi-trip through public transport,” Twine said.
The submission suggests venues set up to “ensure active transport accessibility with major plazas and ample, well-organised space for bike and scooter parking”.
“Arrangements should be made for an increase in hire bike and scooter availability at Games time,” BQ writes.
Hire bikes and scooters are likely to play a big part moving people around in 2032.
“... By prioritising active and efficient modes of transport, Brisbane can enhance the experience for residents, visitors and athletes alike, transforming the city into a more liveable, accessible and sustainable place.
“With increased and targeted investment into infrastructure and supporting programs such as bike and scooter hire schemes, Brisbane 2032 should aim for an active transport [cycling, walking, micromobility] mode share of 20 per cent of all journey types. This will be a significant legacy.”
Space for Cycling makes a similar argument.
Active transport access to the athlete’s village at Hamilton, the Chandler sports precinct, Queensland Tennis Centre, Ballymore and Manly Boat Harbour are assessed and, where needed, suggestions for improvement are offered.
“Access to all venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games should discourage private motor vehicle travel [including taxis and commercial ride-share vehicles] while promoting public transport use and encouraging cycling via safe and inviting active transport connections,” Space for Cycling submits.
“Brisbane should follow the examples of London and Paris in planning for a connected and legible network of safe and inviting cycle routes linking to Games venues, public transport hubs and other city attractions.
“Planning and construction of this network should begin early, with the aim of having these routes operational and in regular use well before the Games. Secure bicycle parking should be offered at all Games venues, and fleets of hire bicycles and e-scooters should be available and carefully managed to enhance the travel experience for everyone.”
Twine said the 2024 Paris Games provided a template Brisbane could follow for its time in the global spotlight.
“We look no further than the most recent Games – Paris – it’s really well documented what they have done over the years to build up their cycling network,” he said.
“The inner suburbs of Paris have a higher mode share for cycling than for driving. This has occurred over the last couple of decades by this investment in really good infrastructure.
“It’s very complementary to public transport, but what active transport offers over public transport is freedom – you’re not constrained by timetables, by the capacity of vehicles, by any issues on the network.
“You get on your bike, or your scooter, and off you go. You’ve got that fundamental freedom. This is why it works so well, and it’s so attractive for people.”
Paris, too, was an inspiration for Space for Cycling.
“For the 2024 Games in Paris, almost all of the competition venues and celebration sites were safely accessible by bike thanks to an Olympic cycle network of almost 400 kilometres,” Space for Cycling notes in its submission.
“The new ‘Olympiste’ bike paths were marked with pink paint to let visitors know at a glance which routes led to Olympic sites. Cycling network maps for the 2024 Games highlighted connections between venues and other points of interest across Paris and navigation instructions were made available via navigation apps such as Komoot.
“In addition, there were around 27,000 guarded bike parking spaces at or near the Paris Games venues and 50,000 bikes available for hire.”
Ward said the Paris experience gave her hope that Brisbane could use the Games to turbocharge investment in cycling infrastructure.
“You could have spoken to [Parisians] seven years out from their Games, and they would have been quite pessimistic, so I shouldn’t be,” she said.
“It really is our transformation. I would like to think that our leaders really want to leave something special. Actually making active travel better, more inclusive and easier is almost the cheapest way you can really make life great or even greater in Brisbane.”
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