Two whole buses have been freed up each peak hour a result of the King George Square Cycle Centre (KGSCC) opening.
Acting Lord Mayor Jane Prentice said a Griffith University report found that about 80 per cent of the Cycle Centre’s 200 person membership switched from motorised modes of transport to cycling as a direct result of it opening.
Cr Prentice said that included a 73 per cent switch from public transport.
“That’s about 76 more seats on Brisbane City Council buses, 54 fewer people trying to cram into a train and room for 16 more people on a CityCat ferry,” Cr Prentice said.
“The Cycle Centre has therefore freed up two buses, half a CityTrain carriage and the front bow of a CityCat ferry every morning and afternoon peak hour.
“Six per cent of members also swapped their car for a bike, meaning 56,000 fewer kilometres being travelled on inner city roads each year.
“These are small but significant contributions to tackling peak hour congestion in the city because the majority of these cyclists commute from within 10 kilometres of the CBD.”
Only about 20 per cent of the Cycle Centre’s members commuted via bike before joining.
The report, which focussed on the performance of the Cycle Centre’s first year in operation, recorded a 100 per cent satisfaction rating among its members, with 96 per cent reported to be ‘very satisfied’.
Access to the KGSCC’s end of trip facilities like showers, storage and laundry services was considered the most important reason for using the Cycle Centre by members (95 per cent), followed by Health Benefits (86 per cent) and Enjoyment (75 per cent).
Cr Prentice said the report also found that about 60 per cent of members took less than 30 minutes to commute to the CBD by bicycle.
“Only about 35 per cent of members said they could do the same trip under 30 minutes via public transport or a car,” Cr Prentice said.
The KGSCC, which is Australia’s first ever cycle centre, opened in May 2008 and is operated by a private contractor. It can house up to 420 bicycles in a secure facility.
Brisbane City Council contributed $3 million to the fit out of the Cycle Centre, which was built in partnership with the State Government as part of the Inner Northern Busway.
The KGSCC is part of Council’s wider strategy for encouraging active travel, which includes the Lord Mayor’s commitment of $100 million over four years for new bikeways as well as Australia’s first-ever public bike hire scheme.
For further information about the Cycle Centre, including how to join, visit www.cycle2city.com.au or phone 3221 6868.
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