Queensland’s Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has announced it will open Highway 101 to cycling in an effort to help it manage its traffic.
The announcement follows a report by the Roads Safety Council (RSC) that found cycling was not safe on the road, despite many road closures being in place.
“This new funding will help Queensland get back on track with cycling infrastructure in our region,” Ms Maben said.
“It will also allow us to open up our Highway 101 corridor to a greater number of people to get them out of their cars and onto the road.”
The Department of Transport (DoT) said the new funding would enable it to “increase the number of cyclists in Queensland’s roadways” and also provide more opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to “get around”.
“Cycling has been a key part of Queensland’s long history and will continue to be for years to come,” Ms Tufe said.RSPCA Queensland director Tim Wilson said cyclists had been killed on the roads and the new money was “a big step”.
“There is a real need to have safer cycling infrastructure around Queensland, and this funding will give us the tools to do that,” Mr Wilson said.
The RSPCA has called on Queensland to create a cycling plan by 2019.
“There needs to be an overarching plan, a strategy and we want the state and local government to work with each other to come up with a vision for the future of cycling in Queensland,” Mr Tufei said.
Road Safety Council report found Queensland has not properly addressed cycling’s safety Ms Miben said Queensland had “not properly addressed the safety of cycling and it’s not just a road issue, it’s also an issue for pedestrians”.
“It’s a safety issue for cyclists,” she said.
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