After multiple rounds of consultation for the Stage 5 of North Brisbane Bikeway, the decision has been made to revert to a plan that was previously rejected in 2018.
Read: Community Calls for Review of North Brisbane Bikeway Stage 5
Brisbane recently announced plans to establish a potential connection between the North Brisbane Bikeway on Dickson Street and Kedron Brook Bikeway at Brook Road, via Kent Road.
The Kent Road concept design was released in 2018 and proposed travelling east-west to Kent Road via Price Street then across Rose Street into Park Road, finally connecting to the Kedron Brook Bikeway at Brook Road.
The decision follows Council’s recent scrapping of a plan to install bike lanes along a 500-metre stretch of Dickson Street. That plan, which had received strong community support in 2021, was abandoned in January this year due to concerns from local businesses and residents over the loss of on-street parking and potential traffic congestion. Two petitions opposing the project argued that reduced parking would negatively impact businesses in the area.
Despite Council’s decision, cycling advocacy group Space4CyclingBNE and other supporters continue to push for safety improvements along Dickson Street. An online petition launched by local residents highlights the dangers cyclists face when riding between parked cars and fast-moving traffic.
The petition calls for Council to implement road safety measures along Dickson Street, including reducing the speed limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h and removing on-street parking to create a safer riding environment.
“While we’re looking forward to work finally starting again on the North Brisbane Bikeway, people will still want a safe and direct route to continue to Eagle Junction, Toombul, and towards the Brisbane Airport and Gateway North Bikeways, and the north-eastern suburbs,” the group stated.
“People who continue riding on Dickson St, north of Price St, find they are riding between parked cars and faster moving motor traffic. That exposes them to the dangers of being hit by the opening door of a parked car and/or being hit by passing cars or trucks.”
Read: Locals Have Mixed Reactions To Stage 5 Of North Brisbane Bikeway
Council’s move to revert to the 2018 plan comes as a draft document from the state government acknowledges the need for better-connected bikeways but warns that financial constraints may delay or limit their development. The council is now seeking state government funding to implement the Kent Road alignment. Whether the requested funding will be granted and whether safety concerns on Dickson Street will be addressed remain uncertain.
Published 24-February-2025
