Schrinner’s Council asleep at the wheel for Olympic hopefuls (Press Release)
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Brisbane City Council have been asleep at the wheel for years in failing to provide the policy, action and infrastructure to support young Olympic hopefuls in the Olympic sport of mountain biking as well as thousands of recreational riders.
In contrast, Labor and the Greens have offered a more promising vision for the sport which is enjoyed by thousands of people in south-east Queensland.
That’s the view of local supporters and advocates of mountain biking, the Brisbane Off-Road Riders Alliance (BORRA).
On the eve of Council elections, BORRA spokesman Dan Crawford said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s Council had paid lip service to the popular sport while effectively stifling its growth.
“We’ve been trying to get action, sensible policy and appropriate financial investment by BCC for years and while Council has been big on promises, there’s a stark contrast between words and actions that have led to a restrictive and anti-bike culture within the Council,” said Mr Crawford.
“South-east Queensland wants and deserves a genuine expansion of mountain biking trails, beyond the tokenistic gestures seen in recent council announcements. We had the master plan for Barrambin/Victoria Park announced last year as a prime example, where mountain biking was used in the headlines but only allocated an impractical sliver of land, which is not practical and not appealing for riders.
“That proposal and lack of vision misses the essence of the sport. After all – mountain biking is an Olympic sport and our Olympics is just eight years away and we can’t be expected to be produce riders for the Olympics if they don’t have the right sort of trails and infrastructure close to home.
“Mountain biking is like hiking – it’s an adventure-seeking activity that requires substantial space to fully engage with the outdoors, not being confined to cramped and limited trails that fail to offer a genuine experience.”
Mr Crawford said there needed to be a broader conversation on the necessity for a comprehensive network of quality trails across Brisbane, challenging the Schrinner/LNP-led council's inadequate responses and a pattern of decades-long pattern of inaction.
“The recent history of missed opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaborative planning between the council, environmental groups, and the mountain biking community underscores BORRA's call for change.”
He said in contrast to the current council's approach, there was a more promising response and vision offered by the ALP and Greens.
“The ALP’s Lord Mayor candidate, Tracey Price, has shown an understanding of the sport's value, committing to transparency and community engagement to expand the trail network,” said Mr Crawford.
“The Queensland Greens also advocate for a cooperative strategy that aligns recreational trail use with environmental and wildlife habitat goals, reflecting a much-needed sensibility and forward-thinking approach.
“As voters head to the polls tomorrow, BORRA believes there’s a critical need to elect leaders willing to listen, collaborate, and take concrete actions to develop Brisbane's off-road cycling infrastructure.
“We urge residents to prioritise candidates who recognize mountain biking's potential to contribute positively to public health, environmental stewardship, and the city's overall quality of life.
“BORRA's message is clear: it's time for Brisbane to wake up to the benefits of a robust mountain biking culture, move beyond the superficial commitments of the past, and embrace a future where natural reserves are truly unlocked for the community's benefit.”