Petition for the establishment of bikeways between schools in Samford Valley

Overview

A petition to the City of Moreton Bay to prioritise the establishment of dedicated bikeways connecting Samford Valley schools, the rail-trail, Samford Village, Samford Showgrounds and other places. Note that this cannot include Mount Glorious Road, as this is the responsibility of the State government.

Dedicated bikeways are crucial for ensuring the safety, health and well-being of residents, students and staff, and promoting a culture of sustainability and active living within our community. This initiative is essential for promoting road safety, enhancing quality of life and creating a more liveable and inclusive community for all Samford residents and visitors.

Parties Involved

Stakeholders are Samford State School and Samford Steiner School. If you would like to become involved, please contact Femke on femmerfem@gmail.com.

Where to Sign

Unfortunately we cannot do a digital petition, but paper petitions are available at the following locations

Samford Steiner School - primary school office
Samford Butcher
Kakadu Organics
Mooeys pet and landscaping shop Samford (at the counters)
The Latin shack ( please ask at the counter)
Little Tree Bake and Brewhouse ( please ask at the counter)
That Yarn Place ( lifestyle centre)
Baddies Oan books

Petition

As residents, concerned parents/guardians, and community members in Samford and surrounds, we are urging the City of Moreton Bay to prioritise safer active transportation choices for our children and community members travelling to schools and workplaces. Notably, the focus is on busy roads connecting Samford Valley Steiner School and Samford State School, while also linking current pathways and cycleways from the existing rail-trail as far as the Samford Showgrounds. Key roads of interest are Wights Mountain Road, Upper Camp Mountain Road and Mt Glorious Road (Department of Transport and Main Roads) - please see maps below.

To enhance safety for our residents, schools and community, we are asking for the incorporation of bikeways connecting Samford schools and Samford Village in the Local Government Infrastructure Plan. As advocates for safe and sustainable transportation options for our children and community, we believe the implementation of bikeways is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of families and residents.

Rationale:

Enhancing safety of students and families: Families in our community are keenly interested to ride, walk or scoot to school and work as a means of transportation. However, the lack of designated bikeways along the 80km/hour roads poses significant safety risks, exposing cyclists, pedestrians, e-mobility users and motorists to accidents and collisions. Establishment of bikeways will create a safer environment for students and their families who participate in active transport, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring their safe passage to and from school and work. Currently, both cyclists and motorists feel unsafe sharing these semi-rural roads, particularly due to grass and other obstructions on the shoulder, insufficient shoulder space and multiple crests that create hazardous passing conditions. Implementing dedicated bikeways would significantly increase the number of families and staff who choose to ride, walk and scoot to school and work. Many families and staff currently refrain from using active transport to commute to school and work as they deem it too unsafe and therefore not a viable transportation option.
Encouraging active transportation: Riding to school promotes physical activity and as acknowledged in Council’s Active School Travel Program contributes to the overall health and well-being of students, parents and staff. By providing designated bikeways, we can encourage more students, parents and staff to choose cycling, walking and scooting as modes of transportation, fostering healthy habits from a young age. Additionally, active transport reduces traffic congestion, pollution and carbon emissions. This aligns with outcomes and aspirations outlined in City of Moreton Bay’s Integrated Travel Strategy (Outcome 1: pp28-29 and Outcome 4: pp38-40), Community Well-being Strategy (Outcome 4: pp30-32) and Environmental and Sustainability Strategy (Outcome 3: pp43-48).
Accessibility and inclusivity: A dedicated bikeway ensures that all students and staff, regardless of their mode of transportation, have equal access to safe and reliable routes to school and work. It promotes inclusivity by accommodating the needs of cyclists and encourages alternative transportation options beyond traditional car and bus travel. By prioritising the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, we create a more inclusive and equitable community for all residents. This aligns with Outcome 4 of Council’s Community Well-being Strategy.
Community connection and collaboration: Establishing bikeways encourages community connection in alignment with Outcome 4 of the Community Well-being Strategy. This infrastructure will benefit the wider community, demonstrating a collective commitment to create a safe and supportive environment for all residents. Furthermore, it encourages collaboration between local government, local schools, parents and residents in addressing transportation challenges and fostering a culture of active living.
Educational opportunities: Bikeways to and around schools present educational opportunities for students to learn about road safety, sustainable transportation and environmental conservation. They provide a practical and hands-on learning experience that complements classroom education, empowering students to make informed choices about transportation and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, according to Council’s Active School Travel Program, active travel has extra benefits for children, including improved concentration, a greater level of independence and opportunities to socialise.
Preparation for future growth: Samford Valley Steiner School is the only high school in Samford Valley. In 2024, it was recognised as the 53rd best high school in Queensland, and top Moreton Bay school to be included in the top 150 Queensland schools. These achievements could result in an increase in student enrollments. To prepare for and sustain future growth, it is advisable to introduce infrastructure that reduces traffic congestion and promotes sustainable transport options.
Aligning with Vision Zero Principles: Introducing safer road practices, such as dedicated bikeways, aligns with the principles of Vision Zero, a national road safety initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries. It also aligns to City of Moreton Bay’s Safe System approach in its Integrated Travel Strategy.