E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House concerns about the safety and efficiency of current road rules for cyclists, particularly in Brisbane.

Intersections are the highest-risk environment for cyclists, with most serious incidents occurring where riders interact with turning vehicles. Requiring cyclists to stop and restart with traffic places them alongside motor vehicles, increasing exposure to conflict points and reducing visibility.

Traffic signals across inner Brisbane are timed for motor vehicles, not bicycles. While travel from the suburbs into the CBD is often fast, progress within the CBD is frequently stalled by closely spaced lights. Cyclists commonly encounter a red light at nearly every intersection, meaning the final kilometre can take as long as the preceding 10 kilometres. This stop-start pattern is inefficient, frustrating and discourages cycling, while also contributing to congestion and unsafe overtaking.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to advocate for and implement a cyclist yield law (commonly known as the “Idaho Stop”) in Brisbane and other Queensland cities.

This reform would allow cyclists to treat stop signs as give way signs, and red lights as stop signs where safe. It would enable riders to move between traffic waves rather than alongside vehicles, improving safety and visibility while reducing delays.

This is a low-cost, evidence-based reform that supports safer roads, smoother traffic flow and more efficient, sustainable transport.