Story Bridge protest: Times, delays, traffic impact, news and information
The planned protest on the Story Bridge has sensationally been shut down before it even started, but organisers have declared they’re not giving up the fight.
QLD News
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The planned protest on the Story Bridge has sensationally been shut down before it even started.
The Brisbane icon was touted to become a scene of protest on Friday, May 30 with lanes expected to shut down during peak hour traffic.
Organised with assistance from Space for Cycling Brisbane, the demonstration aimed to close all six lanes of the bridge between 8-9am.
Protesters were advocating for the allocation of one car lane to pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter users, following the closure of the bridge’s footpaths in March due to safety concerns after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
However on Thursday morning a Brisbane magistrate stopped the protest before it began, after police claimed it would be a risk to public safety.
Magistrate Ross Mack said he agreed with the police submission that the scheduled protest, expected to include 200 people, could “compromise people’s safety”.
Police prosecutor Donna Kay told the court the proposed protest would “cause mass disruption to the Brisbane CBD area” and block bridge access to emergency services.
The court was told the pedestrian footpaths were currently “unsafe” due to the deterioration of the structure of the bridge.
Mr Mack asked Brisbane City Council solicitor Michael Spencer when it would be fixed, but he could not provide an answer.
Protest organiser Kathryn Good pointed out that the Story Bridge would be closed for several hours for the Brisbane Marathon in just three days.
“It can be done safely because it has been done safely previously,” she said.
Outside court, Ms Good told the media Mr Mack’s decision was “disappointing”.
She said Council has put the rights of motorists not to be inconvenienced for a single hour over the rights of people not to be inconvenienced for months on end.
“The detour they’ve suggested for cyclists is busy one-way CBD streets – they have no protective cycling infrastructure, they have no infrastructure for scooters,” she said.
Ms Good said she would respect the court order but she “won’t be giving up the fight”.
She rejected the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s claim the protesters were “radicalists”.
“If he’s gonna call us ‘taking a leaf out of the Extinction Rebellion playbook’, I think we can say he’s taking the leaf out of the playbook of a certain previous Queensland government who thought it was okay to tell people when and where to protest.
“If Peter Dutton is the Temu Trump, I think the Mayor is a ‘Budget Bjelke-Petersen’.
When was the protest going to happen?
Time & Date: Friday, May 30, 2025, from 8am to 9am
Location: Story Bridge, Brisbane
Organiser: Space for Cycling Brisbane
Purpose: To demand the allocation of one car lane for active transport users during footpath repairs
Expected attendance: More than 200 participants
What was the background?
The footpaths on Story Bridge were closed in March due to structural issues identified after the cyclone.
While repairs are underway, no timeline for reopening has been provided, leading to frustration among daily users.
Alternative routes, such as the Kangaroo Point Bridge and CityCat services, have been suggested, but many commuters find them inadequate.
What was the official response?
Brisbane City Council has criticised the protest, labelling it as “illegal, dangerous, and disruptive.”
Councillor Andrew Wines likened the tactics to those used by Extinction Rebellion and warned of significant traffic disruptions.
The council argues that accommodating pedestrian and cyclist access would require closing two lanes, exacerbating congestion across major roads.
Protest organiser Kathryn Good maintains that the demonstration is legal, authorised under the Peaceful Assembly Act (1992), and not affiliated with any political group.
She emphasises that the protest is a response to the prolonged closure and lack of communication regarding the footpaths.
Magistrate Ross Mack said he agreed with police’s submission that the scheduled protest, expect to include 200 people, could “compromise people’s safety”.
Impact on commuters
If the protest proceeded as planned, commuters who use the Story Bridge during the specified time could anticipate significant delays and consider alternative routes.
The bridge is a vital connection for about 100,000 vehicles and 4000 pedestrians and cyclists daily.
Stay up to date with traffic delays and information on alternative routes here.
■ Severe traffic delays
A full closure during peak hour was anticipated to cause significant congestion on major roads including the Riverside Expressway, Inner City Bypass, Wynnum Road, Gympie Road, Stanley Street, and Vulture Street.
■ Alternative Routes
While Brisbane City Council has suggested using the Kangaroo Point Bridge and CityCat services as detours, these alternatives may not have accommodated the volume of displaced commuters, leading to potential overcrowding and delays.
What was the recommendation for motorists if the protest went ahead?
■ Plan Ahead
Consider adjusting your travel times to avoid the peak hour disruption.
■ Use alternative routes
Explore other bridges such as the Go Between Bridge or the Victoria Bridge, and use public transport options like buses and trains.
■ Monitor updates
Stay informed by checking real-time traffic updates on the QLDTraffic website or through the QLDTraffic app.
■ Allow extra time
Expect delays and plan accordingly to ensure timely arrival at your destination.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the legal status of the protest, it is advisable to prepare for potential disruptions.
Commuters should remain flexible and consider alternative transportation options to minimise the impact of the anticipated protest.
What you have said about the protest
Cyclists are the problem
Y
Can anyone ask why cyclists feel so above everyone else and entitled?
matt
Cyclists and motorists don’t get along as it is now! They’re not helping their situation, just fuelling the fire
John
With all the “Green” bridges built, surely cyclists could use one of them for a period?
This needs to happen
Katrina
BCC have to stop prioritising cars over all other forms of transport.
Craig C
I drive on the story bridge twice daily. Walkway was used by thousands of walkers, runners, cyclists and tourists. A sad sight seeing it empty for weeks. No sign whatsoever of any workers or work being done on it. It should be a priority to get sorted.
Jack
We wouldn’t be having this issue if the council had properly maintained the bridge.
Peter
The cyclists are using their bikes to reduce the road congestion, reducing the pollution, to keep fit, to help with the carparking issues in the city as well as saving money. Those riding bikes are doing it to benefit everyone.
It doesn’t make sense
Busy Brissy
While I agree the lack of pedestrian access is not acceptable asking for a lane on a bridge temporarily will inconvenience more people than those who are inconvenienced on the footpath. I also think a temporary barrier on one lane is still not safe for pedestrians or cyclists.
Jimbob2009
So who issued the protest permit for disruption to the public going about their business.
Time for water cannon trucks to be employed to maintain public order.
Rogerston
Welcome to Doomsday.
A Queenslander
Is this that difficult to deal with. The footpaths have been closed for safety reasons therefore the bridge should not have any foot/cycle/scooter traffic.
Armple
Your freedom of speech doesn’t come with a right to curtail my right to go about my life.
I have an idea
Peter
I hate to be sensible in this stupid discussion, but can the council not leave one footpath open for pedestrian / cycle/ scooter transport while they repair the other – and then work on the other footpath once it is repaired. That is the way our roads are repaired, alternately closing lanes for repair.
What I Think
Cyclists should be on the road anyway, NOT on footpaths They expect pedestrians to move out of their way when in fact they have to Give Way to Pedestrians.
Bobbie
This may cost a life should an ambulance need to get to one of the hospitals close by, or an accident occurs due to confusing diversions.
Betty W
Just let them hang there all day with the car fumes. Do not close the road down.
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