Courier Mail journalist Elodie Jakes cycles Brisbane’s busiest bridge at peak hour

Six lanes of traffic at 60km/h, and a journalist on a push bike. The Courier-Mail’s Elodie Jakes hit the Story Bridge at peak hour on two wheels, here’s what unfolded.

The Courier-Mail's Elodie Jakes rides over the Story Bridge at peak hour.

I never imagined myself tackling the busiest bridge in Brisbane, in peak hour, without my trusty car.

So when I turned onto the outer lane of the Story Bridge with nothing but a push bike and a dream, I must admit, I was a little nervous.

But that’s the daily commute for members of Brisbane’s Bike Bus, a group of cyclists who meet at the south end of The Story Bridge every morning to cross the treacherous passage together.

The Brisbane City Council shut the Story Bridge’s footpaths more than four months ago, and with no reopening date in sight this daily group ride has become essential for ‘active commuters’ wanting to cross the bridge safely.

My heart was pounding slightly as we ripped across the multi-lane behemoth, despite our steady pace and appropriate amount of hi-vis we still received a honk or two from disgruntled motorists.

But as I pedalled onwards I was comforted by the dozen other cyclists around me, I even took a moment to gaze upon the stunning Brisbane River, a view which is hard to appreciate when stuck bumper-to-bumper vehicle traffic.

As we pulled in to the north end of The Story Bridge I had a new-found appreciation for Brisbane cyclists, riding in this city is not easy and I can recognise how frustrating it is when a crucial bike path was taken away.

Until Council comes up with a long-term solution The Brisbane Bike Bus offers safety in numbers for residents wanting to escape a car-centric commute, and I’d certainly brave it again.