12:00a.m. 13th October 2008

| By Bill Hoffman

The Suncoast Cycling Alliance wants at least 15% of all trips made across the Sunshine Coast to be by bicycle within the next three years.

The aggressive target is more than double the 2011 target of 8% – an additional 805,000 bike trips per day – set by the state government for the south-east Queensland region.

The push comes as pressure grows for the state government to re-think its Coast Connect strategy, which includes the controversial six-laning of Alexandra Parade along the beachfront and plans for shared cycle/bus lanes.

Sunshine Coast Council is also pressing the government for “early and serious talks” about the future of the CAMCOS transport corridor through the Sunshine Coast.

Integrated transport portfolio head Vivien Griffin said the council was stepping up to the plate on the fast-tracking of developments for Caloundra South, Palmview and the Maroochydore Principal Activity Centre, and the state government needed to do likewise with transport infrastructure.

Ms Griffin said jobs in the new developments should be coming locally, and not from Brisbane.

As such what was needed was not heavy rail into the coastal community, but light rail or bus rapid transit routes delivering frequent, high-speed connections.

Suncoast Cycling Alliance has formed a taskforce including an experienced town planner to build its case for a better network of cycling paths to connect coast communities.

Alliance spokesman John Stephen said it would make a full submission to the state government’s Coast Connect project team and had already won considerable concessions.

He said these included dedicated cycle lanes along Brisbane Road, including on the narrow canal bridges, and better-designed and located cycleways on Nicklin Way.

Mr Stephen said his group had been delighted by the attitude and willingness of the Coast Connect team to talk about the issues cyclists faced on the Sunshine Coast.

His group is also talking through the issues with the Sunshine Coast Council.

He said despite the dangers, there were now many more cyclists on the road per kilometre than three years ago.

“Queensland Transport itself says you can’t just tell people to cycle, it needs to be made possible.”

Sunshine Coast Council is also calling nominations for its planned transport community group to advise on how best to shift people out of private cars.

Ms Griffin said nominations would be sought from community organisations, industry, development and individuals.

“The private motor car will continue to be a part of our transport options well into the future,” Ms Griffin said.

“However, peak oil and emissions trading will undoubtedly increase the cost of fuel in the coming years, and it is imperative that we also ensure there are real alternatives for residents on the coast and the hinterland.

“Innovative, more frequent and better-quality public transport has to be a major element in our future transport planning. In addition, improved cycling and walking pathways can also contribute.

“This is an issue that communities around the world are confronting, and there are many exciting initiatives we can examine.

“There is no doubt that the way this council tackles the region’s transport challenges will help to shape the look and feel of the Sunshine Coast.’’

The group will include about 15 people and a selection process will be undertaken to ensure a broad range of community interests are represented.

For a full information kit on the Transport Community Group, including nomination forms, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or contact council’s customer service centre on 5420 8200.

Nominations close October 29 at 4.30pm.