The Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy, which identifies potential development areas for bike trails and tracks in Inala, Pallara, Ellen Grove, and other areas, has been released.
Before the release of the Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy by Brisbane City Council, off-road cycling opportunities were mostly confined to single tracks and a skills track in Mt Coot-tha Reserve, as well as designated shared-use tracks located in Toohey Forest Park and bikeways in and adjacent to bushland reserves and parks. Currently, Mt Coot-tha is the lone designated site for mountain bike single track.
The growing demand for off-road facilities has led to instances of unauthorised construction of tracks in bushland reserves and parks, an occurrence which Council now aims to mitigate.
The Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy provides a high-level strategic guide and framework for future projects involving the delivery of recreational off-road cycling and opportunities.
In 2019, the Council conducted consultations with key stakeholder groups and the rest of the community. More than 1,400 responses were received which were then used as inputs in developing the Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy draft.
In December 2020, the draft was released for community feedback. A great majority agreed that Council should authorise more off-road cycling opportunities, pointing out that such a move will be good for the environmentally sensitive areas.
The off-road cycling opportunities identified in the Strategy are divided into short- and long-term opportunites.
These are further categorised according to the off-road cycling type: A (Skills track, dirt jumps or pump track), B (Mountain bike single trail), C (Cyclo-cross circuit), and D (Riding on shared-use trails and/or fire tracks in natural areas).
Included in the list of potential future off-road cycling opportunities (short term) are Armisfield Street Park (Type D) and Blunder Creek Reserve (Type D) in Doolandella; Sergeant Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve (Type – D) in Heathwood; Warril Parkland (Type D) and Glider Forest (Type A, B and D) in Larapinta; Beaudesert Road Park – No. 2911 (Type D), Greenways Esplanade Park (Type A) and Parkinson Bushlands (Type D) in Parkinson; and D.J. Sherrington Park (Type A) and Thrush Street Park (Type A) in Inala. These short-term locations are for Council’s consideration in the next five years.
On the other hand, the long-term opportunities, which are for Council’s consideration beyond the next five years, include Pallara Park (Types A, C and D) and Warren Ritchie Memorial Complex Park (Type A) in Ellen Grove. Further detailed design, budget and environmental assessment will be undertaken in relation to these potential off-road cycling opportunities.
Visit this link for more information on the Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy.