Now that the first event has wrapped up on “Queens Wharf Plaza” (i.e. the corridor that has been the Bicentennial Bikeway since 1988), it’s time to reflect on what went down, and where we might go from here. You can catch up on the previous chapters of the saga:
Part 4 – disco on the driveway
In response to Star Casino’s disruption of the Bicentennial Bikeway at Queens Wharf (and overwhelmingly positive responses from the cycling community to our balloon protest), we decided to take the party to Star’s driveway. Bikeway users and friends were invited to take a diversion and gather with us in front of 1 William St on Friday evening before we planned to ride (or walk or jive) along William St across to the Star Casino driveway entrance. This is a big open space that needs “activating”, so we announced we’d be turning up the disco tunes, spinning the mirror ball and encouraging everyone to have a dance. People arriving by car during that time would be asked to alight kerbside and walk to the casino entrance.
Of course the mere mention of a protest is enough to trigger a tantrum from the conservative media, and 4BC’s Peter Fagan immediately rose to the occasion.
Unfortunately, a media culture of hating on “cyclists” and pretending we’re somehow different to ordinary people (with families) just trying to get about our daily lives—to work, education, catching up with friends, etc—is still alive and kicking in Australia. So when Belinda answered the call to speak on 4BC’s breakfast show, the host opened with “you might hate cyclists, and this story won’t do them any favours”. He then went on to mansplain feeling safe when the only cycle route home where you don’t have to “share” space with cars and trucks has been commandeered for a pop-up bar and strobing lightshow.
Listen here if you dare. Or just scroll down to check out pictures of the fun and absurdity of our pop-up disco on Star Casino’s driveway.
Later that morning, Bicycle Queensland’s (male) CEO Alton Twine was treated very differently by another 4BC presenter, and had an opportunity to explain why holding events that block the Bicentennial Bikeway is so inappropriate. You can listen here, and perhaps appreciate the contrast.
Anyway, perhaps the absurdity of Peter Fegan’s tirade against people simply trying to get about safely by bike encouraged more people to join our protest. In the end, around 60 people found time between other end of year events, and joined the fun of a pop-up disco on Star Casino’s driveway. It was a light-hearted way to protest the absurdity of the decision to convert Brisbane’s busiest active transport corridor into an event space and hold regular disruptions with bars, food-trucks, and temporary seating that impede the bikeway and make it unsafe for everyone.
While we danced for around 15 minutes, we made every effort to clear the path when drivers indicated they wanted to turn in. It was interesting to see how many were too impatient to wait for the footpath to clear—including of pedestrians who were not part of our protest. But we did appreciate the passenger who waved a bouquet (or a bunch of celery??) through the sun-roof! Meanwhile everyone outside the bubble of a car seemed to get with the spirit of the dance. Big thanks to Pedal Party Magandjin for bringing the tunes!
Space for Cycling Brisbane 