This petition of Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the growing demand within the local community for a cycle track and walkway on the northern side of the Bribie Island Bridge wide enough to accommodate all users.

The existing walkway is a kilometre in length and less than 1 metre in width which does not conform to Australian standards.  Its railings are vertical and the design is hazardous to bicycle handlebars.  It is shared by cyclists and pedestrians and is used by visitors, motorised wheelchairs and tricycles from Bribie Island, Sandstone Point and Ningi areas.

As the existing walkway is so narrow, it requires considerable skill to safely cycle across it.  Accidents to cyclists occur regularly and many riders are now too afraid to access the walkway. Three passing bays provide very limited opportunities for users to pass.

Council has in recent times extended the cycle track to Ningi and the Bribie Island Road now forms part of the South East Queensland Principal Cycle Network Plan.  Funding has just been allocated for an options analysis into the improvement of cycling and pedestrian facilities on the bridge under this plan.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call upon the Government to allocate adequate funding in next year's budget (2011-12) for an appropriate design and construction of a cycle track and walkway on the Bribie Island Bridge.