Michaela Sargent

The crew from Brisbane West BUG have been doing a great job introducing Council candidates to the type of bike trips that local residents make regularly. Earlier this week, Michaela Sargent, The Greens candidate for Walter Taylor joined Chris and Michael in Taringa for a trip to pick up Michael’s children from Ironside State School.

Michaela is no stranger to riding, but she was a little anxious about the hilly nature of the route. However, thanks to the loan of a friend’s e-bike she had no problem with the terrain. But even the assistance of an e-bike doesn’t help when road conditions are poor; and at the Gailey Road five ways roundabout, the group dismounted; waited (and waited and waited) until it was clear to walk across and resume their journey.

Once at the school it was great to see other parents arriving with bikes to pick up their kids. Michaela told us how her children went to Ironside State School and caught the bus home. However, because of traffic and the absence of pedestrian crossings, they would sometimes have to call her to come and help them cross the road! Independent, safe active travel to and from school should be a right our kids have, and we think it’s something our Council should prioritise.

With the kids on board, the group headed down past St Lucia Golf Club towards Indooroopilly State High School. Michaela was aware how hazardous Lambert Road can be for the thousands of high school students that walk and ride to school, but she wanted to experience it first hand. Squeezed between parked and moving cars, it was a relief to reach the safety and calm of the Indooroopilly Riverwalk! From there the group rode along Witton Road and across Kate Street, which is a challenging intersection at any time, let alone during school pickup!

The connection between the Riverwalk and the Centenary Bikeway, and also along Lambert Road to the high schools are two of the highest priority projects Space4cyclingbne and Bicycle Queensland have pitched to all parties, and the Greens have committed to delivering these if elected. It’s great to know Michaela is a strong supporter of these projects.

Having reached their destination at Metrowest Shopping Centre, the group parked their 5 bikes carrying 7 people in a carpark – better use of space than a single motor vehicle! And what’s better after a bike ride than ice cream?