BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Dai

BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Dai » Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:57 pm

Hi All,

Not trying to be too controversial, but I can't help wondering where all the media coverage of the Brisbane to Gold Coast bike ride went?

I would have thought that ~10,000 people riding from Brisbane to the Gold Coast was kind of a big deal in local news terms. It doesn't happen often, it's quite a spectacle, and in terms of the local population, 10,000 cyclists is a pretty impressive turn out.

I guess I'm just curious that if BQ is meant to be an advocacy organisation and they can't even manage to get media coverage of what is potentially one of the largest cycling related events of the year, exactly what value are they providing in terms of improving the conditions for cycling in Brisbane (and greater Queensland for that matter)?

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:22 am

C'mon Dai, do you really expect Bicycle West End to throw all that lovely money you all threw at them on press releases in order to raise awareness in the broader community? :roll:
Their job isn't to advocate a damn thing tbh. It's simply a waste of (mostly) taxpayers money and the Qld cycling community's time. End of story.
I would elaborate but my comments would see me reported to the Mods all day :mrgreen:
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BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Comedian » Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:31 am

IMHO BQ aren't a bad organization. They do try - they claim they are an advocacy organization but unfortunately they are probably a little too close to the chaps at TMR to do any serious agitating.

From what I've seen they pretty much tow the government line. What's more - what advocacy they do do is focused primarily on mainstream sports cyclist who are their membership base. They don't seem to advocate for the great mass of potential cyclists out there who don't ride but would if we made a proper investment in cycling.

It's a bit disappointing but I view them as a two wheeled version of RACQ. They organize some great rides :)

From what I've seen there are other organizations in QLD like the CBD BUG that do more effective advocacy than BQ.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Crittski » Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:29 pm

I very gladly pay my BQ subscription and enter all of their well organised rides. I haven't really looked at the insurance cover that subscription provides, but that is a handy bonus.

Positive media coverage would have been nice, but I don't really care, as long as I get a well organised, safe, mass ride then I am happy, and will continue to support BQ to keep up the good work.

The politics of cycling does not interest me in the slightest, but if I did get upset, I would do something about it more than just whinge on the internet.
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:57 pm

So you're happy that they do a good job at what? Your fun rides? Each to their own. BTW, BQ's insurance shouldn't be needed if even 75% of you typicals are in order, and it covers less think you think.
You are right though, those of us who whinged on this topic can't really be bothered doing anything :|
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby InTheWoods » Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:18 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:BTW, BQ's insurance shouldn't be needed if even 75% of you typicals are in order, and it covers less think you think.
Can you elaborate on that? I'd like to know, thanks.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby winstonw » Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:43 pm

Well let's put it this way:

- Bicycle Qld is in a Labor stronghold State Govt electorate - South Brisbane - winning 48.4% of the 2009 vote, Greens got 17.4% = 2/3 of the vote. Libs got 28%.
- South Brisbane's State MP is none other than - Anna Bligh.
- The walls that know whisper BQ General Manager Ben Wilson and Anna are very very tight, and he won't do anything to embarrass his mate.
- Meanwhile, West End gets more than its fair share of bicycle infrastructure spend in return for not rocking the boat.

What is BQ doing to promote the following points raised by a cycling medical specialist?

"Carrots:
- Proper separated cycle infrastructure, physically separated from cars (not painted lines…)
- Well lit cycleways that don’t follow stormwater drains that meet minimum world-class standards
- Highlighting that cycling is safe and doesn’t require high visibility vests or mandatory helmet legislation, etc.
- Tax incentives for bicycles as transport
- Priority for pedestrians & cyclists at intersections.

Sticks
- lower speed limits in the CBD (30km/h)
- considering tolling cars that enter the CBD
- removing on-street car parking (if you can’t house it, then you shouldn’t own it)
- consider closing access to many streets in the CBD and inner suburbs, limiting ‘rat running’ but still allowing access."


And are they doing any of this aggressively enough?
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/09/thr ... afety.html

Media coverage has fallen off a cliff since 2008
no courier-mail, no ABC radio, no Premier's peleton.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/200 ... 319347.htm

According to the latest available annual report, BQ appear more interested in keeping the organization (and bank balance) healthy than promoting cyclists' interests in the media.
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:05 pm

Our contents insurance covers theft and damage including off property to $4000. We both have income protection, private medical, life insurance and I'll be taking out bike insurance next year.
The third party insurance offered to members in the order of a bazillion dollars is a farce. Realistically a bicycle/rider will barely cause any more damage than our insurance access so whats the point?
We also use travel insurance when we go away. We're not loaded but it isnt exactly cheap. on the other hand however, I don't have my bike perminantly stiched to my butt and I'd rather be covered for life than for 10-20% of it.
The fine print on BQ insurance would be worth looking at too. All the state advocate's policies are similar. Take BV for example. Their theft/damage only covers you at or on the way to and from BV events. Gee thanks :?
Happy to dig further on BQ's policy if you'd like
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby InTheWoods » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:23 pm

Its probably the 3rd party side of things that I'm interested in. If I accidentally hit and injure somebody, or cause a pileup somehow between a lambo and a porsche the costs could be huge.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:37 pm

Only if you put yourself at risk when you ride by being where you shouldn't. If you ride legally and Mr Jones writes off his and Mr Brown's mid life crises' whilst swerving to avoid you then it's their problem. I never ride in a manner that I would put myself in that position. I'm not saying you need to ride like a robot, but I simply don't see the need, and look how I'm covered. I don't leave much to chance :)
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:38 pm

Kenzo is the insurance boffin
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Kenzo » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:51 pm

Inwood wrote:Its probably the 3rd party side of things that I'm interested in. If I accidentally hit and injure somebody, or cause a pileup somehow between a lambo and a porsche the costs could be huge.
If you have standard home and contents insurance - from any and every Aussie provider), then public liability cover is built in, the majority cover up to $10 million, some up to $20 million - this is for property and injury to third parties.
Then you can pay for the extras on your insurance, like covering your bike from theft outside the home.. or the additional cover of damage to YOUR bike when in use... most exclude damage to your bike if you are using it...
The 2nd Womble wrote:Kenzo is the insurance boffin
Saw me reading it eh?

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby InTheWoods » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:41 pm

Kenzo wrote:If you have standard home and contents insurance - from any and every Aussie provider), then public liability cover is built in, the majority cover up to $10 million, some up to $20 million - this is for property and injury to third parties.
Which I do, but does that typically cover you even when you're not at home? There has to be restrictions, eg no cover while at work etc.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby InTheWoods » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:43 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:Only if you put yourself at risk when you ride by being where you shouldn't. If you ride legally and Mr Jones writes off his and Mr Brown's mid life crises' whilst swerving to avoid you then it's their problem.
True, I'm just worried that I could make an error of judgement. Or alternatively, an insurance company decides to blame me when its not my fault and I have to pay for legal representation, rather than letting my own insurance company lawyer up. I've seen it in other forums, that if you don't have car insurance, the insurance company of the other party may see a big target sign on your back.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Zynster » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:46 pm

winstonw wrote: - Bicycle Qld is in a Labor stronghold State Govt electorate - South Brisbane - winning 48.4% of the 2009 vote, Greens got 17.4% = 2/3 of the vote. Libs got 28%.
- South Brisbane's State MP is none other than - Anna Bligh.
- The walls that know whisper BQ General Manager Ben Wilson and Anna are very very tight, and he won't do anything to embarrass his mate.
- Meanwhile, West End gets more than its fair share of bicycle infrastructure spend in return for not rocking the boat.
Really? I assume you are counting that stupid bike hire scheme, cause otherwise I'm not seeing this, "more than its fair share of bicycle infrastructure". There's a bike lane on Melbourne St. That's about it.

West End does have a strong grassroots cycling culture that has nothing to do with BQ (they only moved to Vulture St recently), or Anna Bligh (despite the fact that she does ride). A lot more West Enders are using bicycles as transport, as opposed to recreational use, than is typical (probably those Greens voters you mentioned). Also West End is a natural cul-de-sac with a less car traffic than other parts of Brisbane. You can get anywhere in West End on a bike quicker than a car. All this makes West End a good place to live if your primary transport is a bicycle, despite the lack of cycling infrastructure.

So whine about BQ all you like (though the stats you posted seem to show a successful growing organisation), just leave West End off your hit list.
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:54 pm

Bugger Zynster! "Bicycle West End" was growing on me
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby winstonw » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:15 pm

Zynster wrote:So whine about BQ all you like (though the stats you posted seem to show a successful growing organisation), just leave West End off your hit list.
Thanks for affirming my point, that West Enders know and care little about infrastructure anywhere else.

There's more people from mid ring suburbs who more rightfully deserve the advocacy efforts of BQ than West End and other cbd adjacent burbs that have had reasonable riverside access for more than a decade.

You want to take a poll of where BQ members live; and then get your head around why BQ's net equity is growing healthfully while their appearances in mainstream media are virtually non existent since 2008.

They are supposed to be using the resources members and sponsors give them, to actively advocate for safer bicycle use across the state, not grow a nest egg. It is an bicycle advocacy organization, not a superannuation fund for BQ staff, nor is it a socialist division of Green Labor.....though maybe you know something the rest of us don't Zynster :P

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby lethoso » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:53 pm

winstonw wrote:Thanks for affirming my point, that West Enders know and care little about infrastructure anywhere else.
What's wrong with building cycling infrastructure for folks who're actually gonna use it? :D
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Comedian » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:58 pm

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:mrgreen:

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Zynster » Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:05 pm

winstonw wrote:
Zynster wrote:So whine about BQ all you like (though the stats you posted seem to show a successful growing organisation), just leave West End off your hit list.
Thanks for affirming my point, that West Enders know and care little about infrastructure anywhere else.
I'm not a member of BQ. I don't care much about BQ. I do care about the community I live in, which you seem to think is wrong somehow. And if you think I've affirmed your point, then you are delusional. I cycle all over Brisbane.

You still haven't told me where all this extra cycling infrastructure West End gets over and above other suburbs?

Riverside drive? It's is used by a massive number of recreational cyclists, most of which don't live in West End. Locals don't use it for transport generally.

You want to blame BQ and Anna Bligh for everything that's wrong with your bicycling experience. Instead maybe you should consider a right wing global media empire with an antipathy toward cycling, and a demonstrated ability to tilt the public to their way of thinking.

Me? I'm just gonna ride my bike.
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BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Kenzo » Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:24 pm

Inwood wrote:
Kenzo wrote:If you have standard home and contents insurance - from any and every Aussie provider), then public liability cover is built in, the majority cover up to $10 million, some up to $20 million - this is for property and injury to third parties.
Which I do, but does that typically cover you even when you're not at home? There has to be restrictions, eg no cover while at work etc.
Yes, it does cover you anywhere in AUS (for policies sold and underwritten by Aussie companies). Some policies cover you in NZ too. Read your policy docs - specifically the public liability sections.

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:12 pm

How's the OP's form? Bait and cast, bait and cast :lol:
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Crittski » Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:25 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:So you're happy that they do a good job at what? Your fun rides?
yep, you bet...
The 2nd Womble wrote:BTW, BQ's insurance shouldn't be needed if even 75% of you typicals are in order, and it covers less think you think.
I have no idea what you intended to write there... but like I said, I think of it as a bonus...
The 2nd Womble wrote:You are right though, those of us who whinged on this topic can't really be bothered doing anything
phew we agree on something ;)
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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:28 pm

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Re: BQ, Cycling Advocacy and B2GC

Postby Crittski » Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:01 pm

perhaps you missed the ;)

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